Treatable Disorders
Since at least 200 BC, the application and effects of acupuncture and herbs have been documented. It is only recently, however, that systematic exploration of Chinese Medicine using the scientific method has become more recognized and accepted in the West.
Chinese and Western scientists have proven that acupuncture does indeed increase levels of endogenous morphine-like substances. Clinical studies of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses have led to acupuncture’s acceptance beyond pain control.
The following is the World Health Organization’s now famous list of diseases that lend themselves to treatment by acupuncture. The inclusion of herbal remedies in a scope of practice may broaden the range of disorders that may be successfully treated.
Cardiovascular Disorders
- Essential hypertension
Neurological Disorders
- Cervicobrachial syndrome
- Disc problems
- Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)
- Headache and migraine
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Meniere’s Disease
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Paresis following stroke
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Trigeminal neuralgia
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- “Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
- Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures
- Low back pain
- Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
- Osteoarthritis
- Sciatica
- Work and sports related injuries
Respiratory System Disorders
- Acute bronchitis
- Acute rhinitis
- Acute sinusitis
- Acute tonsillitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Common cold
Disorders of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth
- Acute and chronic pharyngitis
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Cataract (without complications)
- Central retinitis
- Gingivitis
- Myopia (in children)
- Toothaches, post extraction pain
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Acute and chronic colitis
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Acute bacillary dysentery
- Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)
- Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Constipation
- Gastric hyperacidity
- Gastroptosis
- Diarrhea
- Hiccough
- Irritable bowel and colitis
- Paralytic ileus
- Spasms of esophagus and cardia
Gynecological Disorders
- Benign amenorrhea
- Benign irregular menstruation
- Dysmenorrhea
- Infertility (Not WHO recognized. Clinical experience proves effective.)
- Menopause syndrome
- PMS
Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
- OCD
- PTSD
- Somatization disorder
Other Disorders
- Appetite suppression
- Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs