Does Acupuncture Really Work? What the Research Says About Pain, Stress, and More
If you've ever wondered whether acupuncture really works, you're not alone.
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, but today, many patients want more than tradition. They want to know what scientific research says, how acupuncture affects the body, and whether it might help with their particular concerns.
The good news? Acupuncture has been studied extensively, especially for chronic pain, headaches, and certain types of nausea.
As both a licensed acupuncturist and a certified physician assistant with more than 34 years of healthcare experience, I believe patients deserve straightforward information about what acupuncture can—and cannot—do.
Does Acupuncture Really Work? What Scientific Research Says
One of the most significant studies of acupuncture for chronic pain was published in the Journal of Pain in 2018.
Researchers analyzed data from 39 randomized clinical trials involving 20,827 patients. They examined acupuncture for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches, and shoulder pain.
Their findings showed that acupuncture performed better than both sham acupuncture and no-acupuncture control groups. The difference compared with sham acupuncture was generally modest, but the results suggested that acupuncture's benefits cannot be explained entirely by placebo effects.
Importantly, the researchers also found that much of the improvement in pain persisted over time.
For people living with persistent pain, this is encouraging. Acupuncture may provide another treatment option, particularly when used alongside appropriate medical care, physical therapy, exercise, and other individualized approaches.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Help?
Chronic Back, Neck, and Joint Pain
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is among the best-studied reasons people seek acupuncture.
Research supports its potential usefulness for certain types of back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis-related discomfort.
Acupuncture may help reduce pain intensity and improve daily functioning, although individual responses vary.
For patients with arthritis, the goal is not to reverse joint damage. Instead, treatment may help manage pain, stiffness, and limitations that interfere with everyday activities.
Headaches and Migraines
Acupuncture has also been studied for tension-type headaches and migraine prevention.
Some research suggests that a course of acupuncture may help reduce headache frequency, making it a reasonable option for certain patients who experience recurring headaches.
It is important to distinguish prevention from treatment of an acute migraine attack. Acupuncture is generally studied as a series of treatments intended to reduce future headache burden, rather than as an immediate cure.
Stress, Anxiety, and the Nervous System
Many patients tell me that one of the first things they notice after acupuncture is how relaxed they feel.
Researchers are investigating how acupuncture may influence nervous-system activity, stress responses, and emotional regulation.
Studies of acupuncture for anxiety have reported promising results, but the evidence is less established than it is for certain chronic pain conditions. More rigorous research is needed to determine how effective acupuncture is for different anxiety disorders.
In my practice, acupuncture may be incorporated into an individualized plan for patients experiencing stress-related tension, difficulty relaxing, or sleep concerns.
Acupuncture should not replace appropriate mental health care when that is needed.
Nausea and Vomiting
Another area of research involves stimulation of the P6, or Neiguan, point on the inner wrist.
Studies suggest that stimulating this point may help reduce certain types of nausea and vomiting, particularly following surgery. Research has also examined its use in chemotherapy-related and pregnancy-related nausea, although results vary by condition and treatment approach.
Patients experiencing persistent or severe nausea should seek appropriate medical evaluation.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine describes acupuncture in terms of qi and meridians, a framework that has guided treatment for centuries.
Modern researchers are also studying acupuncture through the lens of anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience.
Several possible mechanisms have been identified:
Nervous-system stimulation: Acupuncture needles stimulate sensory nerves and may influence how pain signals are processed.
Natural pain-modulating chemicals: Acupuncture may affect the activity of endorphins and other neurotransmitters involved in pain regulation.
Changes in pain processing: Research suggests acupuncture can influence pathways in the brain and spinal cord associated with pain perception.
Local tissue responses: Needle stimulation may produce local biochemical and physiological changes.
These mechanisms are still being investigated. There is no single explanation that accounts for every reported effect of acupuncture.
Is Acupuncture Just a Placebo Effect?
This is one of the most common questions I hear.
Expectations, the treatment environment, and the relationship between practitioner and patient can influence how people respond to many healthcare treatments.
However, clinical trials comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture have found differences in outcomes for certain chronic pain conditions.
This suggests that acupuncture's effects are not explained solely by expectation or the treatment experience.
It is also important to recognize that sham acupuncture is not always physiologically inactive, which makes interpreting these studies more complicated.
The research does not mean acupuncture works for every condition or every patient. It means there is credible evidence for specific applications.
What About Acupressure at Home?
Acupressure involves applying pressure to particular areas of the body without inserting needles.
One commonly studied point is P6, located on the inner forearm approximately three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between two tendons.
Gentle, steady pressure at this point for a few minutes may help some people manage mild nausea.
Avoid pressing over injured, irritated, or broken skin. Acupressure should not delay medical evaluation for persistent vomiting, dehydration, severe abdominal pain, or other concerning symptoms.
And while acupressure can be practiced at home, acupuncture with needles should only be performed by a properly trained, licensed professional.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner using sterile, single-use needles and appropriate techniques.
Temporary soreness, minor bleeding, or bruising can occur. Serious complications, including infection or injury to internal structures, are rare but possible.
Before treatment, your acupuncturist should review your medical history, medications, and any relevant health concerns.
At Jean Donati Acupuncture, my background as a certified physician assistant and licensed acupuncturist helps inform the clinical assessment and individualized treatment planning I provide.
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will I Need?
There is no single answer that applies to everyone.
The number of treatments depends on the condition being addressed, how long symptoms have been present, their severity, and how the individual responds.
For many chronic concerns, acupuncture is approached as a series of treatments rather than a one-time visit.
I evaluate progress throughout the treatment process and adjust recommendations based on how each patient responds.
What Makes Acupuncture at Jean Donati Acupuncture Different?
One of the things I value most about my practice is the opportunity to spend time with each patient.
I schedule one patient at a time. Appointments are never double-booked.
That means time to listen, review your health history, discuss your concerns, and develop a treatment approach specific to you.
My experience as a physician assistant and acupuncturist allows me to bring both conventional medical knowledge and Traditional Chinese Medicine training to patient care.
Whether you're seeking acupuncture for chronic pain, headaches, stress, or another concern, my goal is to provide thoughtful, focused care that fits your needs.
Considering Acupuncture in Towson, Maryland?
If you've been curious about acupuncture but aren't sure whether it's right for you, a conversation is a good place to begin.
Jean Donati Acupuncture serves patients in Towson, Baltimore County, and surrounding Maryland communities.
I offer a complimentary 15–30-minute phone consultation so we can discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether acupuncture may be appropriate.
Learn more about Services & Pricing, or visit Jean Donati Acupuncture to request an appointment.
Thoughtful, focused care for people who carry a lot.
Scientific References
Vickers AJ, et al. (2018). Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. Journal of Pain. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29198932/
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety
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