What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture has become one of the most frequently searched complementary therapies in the United States. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and increasingly studied in modern clinical settings, acupuncture is recognized for its potential to relieve pain, improve function, and support overall well-being. Beyond the needles, what does an acupuncturist do? A licensed acupuncturist evaluates symptoms, selects acupuncture points, and integrates safe, evidence-based care tailored to the patient’s needs. 

In this guide, we outline common situations where acupuncture may help—ranging from activity-related issues to longer-term conditions—supported by U.S. medical sources.

Conditions with Evidence of Benefit (Sports-related)

Whether you’re an athlete, stay active, or dealing with everyday strains, acupuncture can support recovery and musculoskeletal comfort. Clinical guidelines recognize it as a valid option for several common musculoskeletal conditions:

Low back pain related to activity

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DoD) guidelines recommend acupuncture as a non-pharmacological therapy for low back pain. It is often included in a what can acupuncture treat list because of consistent evidence showing moderate pain relief and functional improvement.

 

 

Knee pain and early osteoarthritis

Sports or repetitive strain may lead to knee pain. The American College of Rheumatology conditionally recommends acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee, particularly when combined with exercise therapy. This demonstrates what can be treated with acupuncture in cases of joint overuse.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Activities that involve gripping or repetitive wrist movements, such as racquet sports or weight training, may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. Research funded by the NIH shows that acupuncture can reduce symptoms and improve nerve conduction. It is an example of what is acupuncture recommended for in the context of sports and repetitive strain injuries.

Conditions with Evidence of Benefit

Beyond sports and activity-related injuries, acupuncture is also used in the management of long-term health conditions. Evidence reviews from U.S. institutions such as the NIH, NCCIH, and professional medical organizations provide clinical support in several areas:

Chronic low back pain
The American College of Physicians (ACP) clinical guideline recommends acupuncture as a non-drug treatment for chronic low back pain, emphasizing its role in improving mobility and reducing discomfort.

Headaches and migraines
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that acupuncture can help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and migraines.

Osteoarthritis
The American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline gives a conditional recommendation for acupuncture in managing knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis, particularly for pain relief.
 

Cancer-related symptoms
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and NCCIH summarize evidence supporting acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, cancer-related fatigue, and certain types of pain.
NCI – Acupuncture (PDQ®) Patient Version

4. What Still Needs More Proof

Infertility/IVF

Current evidence is mixed and methodologically inconsistent; large, well-designed trials are needed before drawing firm conclusions. See the overview of IVF trials and controls in the NIH/NLM/PubMed record and related systematic reviews.
Source: acupuncture and IVF evidence overview. 

Smoking cessation
Only a few high-quality studies exist; there’s no consistent evidence that acupuncture helps people quit long-term.
Source: NCCIH—quitting smoking 

Anxiety (non-preoperative)
Some pre-procedure studies suggest short-term reductions in anxiety, but evidence for generalized anxiety is limited and low-quality; more rigorous trials are needed.
Source: NCCIH—anxiety and complementary approaches. 

Rheumatoid arthritis
Findings are inconsistent; reviews note heterogeneity and quality limitations, so acupuncture remains an adjunct at best until stronger trials clarify benefits.

List of conditions treated with acupuncture:

  1. Low back pain related to activity: recommended as a non-drug option in clinical guidelines from the American College of Physicians and VA/DoD.
  2. Knee pain / early osteoarthritis (overuse): American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation gives a conditional recommendation for acupuncture (especially knee).
  3. Carpal tunnel syndrome (grip/overuse sports): NIH-funded research shows symptom relief and neurophysiologic changes; useful as an adjunct.
  4. Chronic low back pain: Recommended within multimodal, non-pharmacologic. Sources: ACP guideline acpjournals.org 
  5. Headaches and migraines: Reductions in frequency/severity reported in reviews; summarized by NCCIH for the public and clinicians.
  6. Osteoarthritis (knee/hip/hand):Conditional recommendation for pain/function according to ACR/AF guideline (PubMed) PubMed 
  7. Cancer-related symptoms — supportive role for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, some pain and fatigue.
     Anchors: NCI PDQ—Patient version Instituto Nacional del Cáncer 

 

Conditions under ongoing investigation:

  1. Fatigue: General, non-cancer related
  2. Gastrointestinal disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia
  3. Gynecological disorders: Menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain
  4. Heart problems/palpitations
  5. High blood pressure: Hypertension
  6. Immune system deficiency: General wellness claims remain unproven
  7. Menopausal discomfort / hot flashes
  8. Musculoskeletal injuries (tendinopathy, strains)
  9. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
  10. Paralysis or numbness (post-stroke rehab, neuropathy)
  11. Rhinitis / sinusitis
  12. Sciatica
  13. Sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, libido issues)
  14. Skin problems (eczema, acne, urticaria)
  15. Stress / tension
  16. Stroke rehabilitation
  17. Tendonitis

Don’t See Your Condition Listed?

If you don’t see your specific concern listed here, that doesn’t mean acupuncture isn’t an option. Many conditions fall outside standard research categories but still respond well in clinical practice. The best way to know if acupuncture may be useful in your case is to schedule a consultation with one of our licensed acupuncturists. We can review your health history, discuss your goals, and determine whether acupuncture is an appropriate part of your care plan.

Local Treatment Options in Minnesota

 

 

 

Sun Acupuncture is centrally located to serve the Minnesota community, making it convenient for patients searching for:

 

  • Acupuncture Minnetonka
  • Acupuncture St. Louis Park
  • Acupuncture Hopkins
  • Acupuncture Plymouth
  • Acupuncture Minneapolis

Whether you are dealing with pain, stress, or ongoing health conditions, our team is here to guide you through safe, evidence-based acupuncture care. If you are looking for acupuncture near me in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, Sun Acupuncture is ready to provide the support you need

.