The Latest Scientific Research:
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
The information on this page is meant to give you a general idea of how acupuncture has been explored in different research studies. It’s not a complete or comprehensive review of all the literature, and we’re not suggesting that acupuncture is a guaranteed cure for every condition listed. Some studies may support its use, others may not. We’re simply sharing a variety of findings so you can explore what’s out there and decide for yourself if acupuncture feels like the right fit for you.
Acupuncture is still being researched for its effectiveness in treating many conditions commonly recognized in Western medicine. In many cases, you’ll notice that the conclusion is that more research is needed—and we agree. We believe ongoing study is important and welcome continued exploration into how acupuncture can support health in different ways.
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Recent scholarly research has increasingly explored the potential of acupuncture as a complementary or alternative therapy for various forms of addiction, including nicotine, alcohol, opioids, and even behavioral addictions. Studies reveal that acupuncture may help regulate neurochemical pathways (like dopamine and endorphins), modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and reduce withdrawal symptoms, craving, and anxiety associated with addiction. Approaches such as auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and electroacupuncture are being evaluated in randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses with promising—though still mixed—results.
🔍 Key Studies and Findings
Bae et al. (2025)
Role of Hypothalamus in Acupuncture's Effects
This study highlights how acupuncture modulates hypothalamic activity, which influences reward circuitry and stress response. It supports acupuncture as a non-pharmacological aid in managing addiction.
📄 Read Full TextAkram et al. (2024)
Effect of Laser Auricular Acupuncture in Tobacco Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review
Analyzed multiple RCTs and found significant efficacy of laser auricular acupuncture in reducing tobacco dependency, especially when combined with behavioral therapy.
🔗 Read Abstract
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A 2025 study concluded:
Acupuncture may offer an alternative for children and adolescents with ADHD who are intolerant to medication (primarily Methylphenidate). When combined with medication or behavioral therapy, it appeared more effective in ameliorating hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention and conduct problems than standard treatments alone. It is also safe and well-tolerated. However, the supporting evidence is of low quality, and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed. Thus, it is premature to recommend acupuncture as an alternative or adjunctive therapy for ADHD management.
Fei-Yi Zhao, Yan Xu, Gerard A. Kennedy, Russell Conduit, Wen-Jing Zhang, Ting Jiang, Peijie Xu, Yuen-Shan Ho, Qiang-Qiang Fu, Chin-Moi Chow, Is integrating acupuncture into the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children and adolescents now opportune and evidence-based? A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 90, 2025, 103163, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103163.
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Long-Term Effects of Individualized Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Individualized acupuncture interventions using high- or low-sensitivity acupuncture points were more effective in reducing CNP than SA and WL control groups sustained through 24 weeks, but the magnitude of relative improvement did not reach a minimal clinically important difference.
Intense Laser Acupuncture (ILA) at 650 nm led to significant reductions in pain intensity and improvements in pain-related functional disability with Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). ILA at 830 nm led to a significant improvement in pain-related functional disability for patients with CNLBP. Our results suggest that ILA therapy at 650 nm and 830 nm can be used to treat CNLBP. However, because our study was a pilot clinical trial with a small sample size, further rigorously designed clinical studies with a larger sample size are needed to validate these results.
Acupuncture can relieve lower back/pelvic pain often experienced during pregnancy
Acupuncture can significantly relieve the lower back and/or pelvic pain frequently experienced by women during their pregnancy, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
And there were no observable major side effects for newborns whose mums opted for the therapy, the findings indicate, although only a few of the published studies included in the analysis evaluated outcomes, such as premature birth, note the researchers.
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Acupuncture
Research into acupuncture as a treatment for dementia and cognitive impairments suggests potential benefits in alleviating symptoms and improving cognitive function. Although the evidence is still evolving, several studies and systematic reviews indicate that acupuncture may positively impact vascular dementia, behavioral symptoms, and cognitive functions in dementia patients.
Effects of Acupuncture on Dementia: A systematic review conducted by Ma et al. (2021) explored the effectiveness of acupuncture for dementia. The review consolidates findings on the varying efficacy and safety of acupuncture, concluding that while some benefits are observed, results are inconsistent across studies
Auricular Acupuncture for Cognitive Impairment: Kwon et al. (2018) examined the effects of auricular acupuncture, finding it may improve cognitive functions and daily living activities in dementia patients, though more extensive trials are needed
Herbs
Chinese herbal medicine’s potential in preventing dementia
A research group led by Specially Appointed Professor Takami Tomiyama of Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine has found that administering the dried seeds of a type of jujube called Ziziphus jujuba Miller var. spinosa, used as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, holds promise in restoring cognitive and motor function in model mice.
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Could acupuncture help ward off diabetes?
A study from Edith Cowan University has found acupuncture therapy may be a useful tool in avoiding type 2 diabetes.
The research team investigated dozens of studies covering the effects of acupuncture on more than 3600 people with prediabetes, a condition which sees higher-than-normal blood glucose levels without being high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
The findings showed acupuncture therapy significantly improved key markers, such as fasting plasma glucose, two-hour plasma glucose, and glycated haemoglobin, plus a greater decline in the incidence of prediabetes.
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Li et al. (2025) – Guidelines on Treating Fibromyalgia With Nonpharmacological Therapies in China
This clinical guideline outlines the use of acupuncture in treating fibromyalgia and finds it superior to sham acupuncture in reducing pain and improving patient outcomes.
Guidelines on Treating Fibromyalgia With Nonpharmacological Therapies in China - Li - 2025 - Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine - Wiley Online Library -
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment on primary insomnia: a randomized controlled trial
Acupuncture treatment is more effective than sham acupuncture treatment in increasing insomnia patients' sleep quality and improving their psychological health.
Efficacy and Safety of Scalp Acupuncture for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
According to the results of this study, scalp acupuncture is effective in the treatment of insomnia, and its efficacy and safety are better than those of drugs and blank treatments. It has the value of clinical promotion and application, but scalp acupuncture has no significant difference in efficacy and safety compared with other acupuncture treatments for insomnia. The quality of the included literature, the source of the literature, the design of the literature research, and the intervention measures of the control group may have affected the final result to some extent.
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Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Sciatica From Herniated Disk
“Acupuncture alleviates pain and improves function among patients with chronic sciatica from herniated disk and should be considered as a potential treatment option.”
In this systematic review, acupuncture treatment was significantly effective and safe compared to analgesics in sciatica. In the future, studies with a rigorous study design are required to increase the validity of the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for sciatica.
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Laser therapy is most effective treatment for tinnitus, study finds
Low-level laser therapy and associated photobiomodulation is the most effective of the known treatments for tinnitus, according to a study comparing the main therapies in current use, conducted by Brazilian scientists affiliated with the Optics and Photonics Research Center (CEPOF). The study is reported in an article published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine.
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Effectiveness of acupuncture for temporomandibular disorders and associated symptoms
This research highlights acupuncture's effectiveness in treating orofacial pain, TMJ arthritis, and associated symptomsIs acupuncture an effective treatment for temporomandibular disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
This meta-analysis reviews the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for TMD, providing evidence from 32 articles.
Effect of acupuncture for temporomandibular disorders: a randomized clinical trial
Sixty participants with TMD were randomly assigned (ratio 1:1) to receive three acupuncture or sham acupuncture sessions weekly for 4 week.
The study found that acupuncture provided marked pain relief and improvement in physical and emotional function for patients with TMD compared with sham acupuncture.
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Acupuncture and herbal medicine are key components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and are often used together to address obesity and promote weight loss. Studies suggest that these therapies may regulate energy metabolism, appetite, and hormonal imbalances. Combining acupuncture with herbal medicine often yields better outcomes than using either treatment alone, particularly when integrated with lifestyle changes.
Chen & Liu (2024): A systematic review analyzed various TCM interventions, finding acupuncture and herbal medicine highly effective for weight management in overweight adults.
Sahebkar-Khorasani et al. (2022): Evaluated the combined impact of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes. The combination showed superior results compared to lifestyle modifications alone.
Ear acupuncture with beads may help shed the poundsEar acupuncture using metal beads can help reduce weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat in combination with a restricted diet.
The study by Dr Takahiro Fujimoto from Clinic F, Tokyo, Japan and colleagues suggests that food cravings can be controlled using the simpler method of acupuncture stimulation with beads rather than the traditional use of intradermal needles, which requires expert acupuncturists.
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In this randomized clinical trial of older adults with CLBP, acupuncture needling provided greater improvements in CLBP-related dysfunction at a 6-month and 12-month follow-up compared with UMC alone with the advantage of a low-risk profile. These findings support acupuncture needling as an effective and safe treatment option for older adults with CLBP.
DeBar L et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults. JAMA Network Open. September 12, 2025.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838793
Note: You might come across “sham acupuncture”. It is an important part of acupuncture research. Sham acupuncture is defined as an intervention designed to simulate real acupuncture in terms of sensation and/or appearance, which might be invasive or noninvasive simulation at acupoints or nonacupoints.