In this study the patients being treated with acupuncture achieved an average of 92% pain relief; while the patients being treated with opioids only achieved a 78% average of pain relief.

Acupuncture Increases Brain Function for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

In this study the patients received 5 acupuncture treatments for one month. At the end of the month, patients received and MRI, and researchers concluded that the lines of communications between different areas of the brain related to cognitive functions had improved “significantly.” Patients receiving the placebo treatment were also given MRI and showed no improvement.

Acupuncture Soothes Cervical Spinal Nerves, Stops Pain

The total recovery rate was 64%, the significant improvement rate was 17%, the minimal improvement rate was 16%, and 3% had no improvement. 

Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain

In this study 1200 Patients were treated with acupuncture, sham acupuncture and conventional therapy. After six months, the acupuncture group realized a 48 % reduction in pain. The sham acupuncture group, which involves receiving acupuncture, just not the specific low back points, realized a 44% reduction in pain. The conventional therapy group realized a 27% reduction in pain. This shows two thing. First, acupuncture shows significant results for low back pain. The second important thing is that it is vitally important to seek properly trained acupuncturists rather than someone whom might not know exactly which points to use, or their exact location.

In this study of 18,000 patients ranging from 39-69 years of age, subjects were divided into three groups. One third received acupuncture, one third received sham acupuncture and one third received no acupuncture. In the results reported; the acupuncture group realized a 50% reduction in pain; the sham acupuncture group realized a 42% and the no acupuncture group realized a 30%. It is also note worthy to point out that in "sham acupuncture," the patient still receives an acupuncture treatment, just not the specific point prescription for their specific complaint. The researchers failed to state whether the "no acupuncture" group were receiving any other form of therapy.

Comment

"This extremely well-designed, pragmatic trial is free of the multiple biases found in a recent Cochrane review of studies of acupuncture. Acupuncture seems like an excellent second-line, and perhaps even first-line, treatment for primary-care patients preferring an alternative therapy."

Acupuncture vs Morphine for Emergency Dept Patients with Pain

A large randomized trial finds acupuncture to be superior.

Migraine frequency and pain severity lessened significantly after acupuncture.

Compared with standard care alone, the addition of acupuncture was superior in reducing crying without serious adverse events in colicky infants.

In a randomized trial, acupuncture was associated with lower headache scores, less use of medication, fewer office visits, and fewer sick days.

Acupuncture with IVF Might Improve Pregnancy Rates 

In a systematic review, women who received acupuncture as adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer were more likely to have a clinical pregnancy and live birth

In a meta-analysis of seven randomized trials, acupuncture was associated with higher rates of pregnancy.

A short course of acupuncture significantly improved measurements of fatigue in women who had been treated for breast cancer.

In a small randomized trial, symptom scores were significantly better with acupuncture than with a sham procedure.