Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese medicine for pain relief
Discover the science behind acupuncture! From its roots in TCM, to evidence for pain relief, to tips for choosing the right practitioner. 🧐🌿

Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese medicine for pain relief
The fascinating world of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a variety of treatment methods to relieve pain, among which acupuncture plays a prominent role. This millennia-old practice, which uses fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body, is based on philosophical concepts about energy flow and balance. But how well-founded are these methods in modern science? Our article delves into the history and theoretical foundations of acupuncture, highlights current scientific findings on the effectiveness of this method in pain treatment and finally provides practical recommendations for finding qualified acupuncture practitioners. Discover how this ancient art harmonizes with today's scientific standards and what patients can expect during treatment.
The history and theoretical foundations of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine
Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is based on the theory of Qi (life energy) flowing through meridians, or channels, in the body. Disturbances in this energy flow are seen as the cause of illness. Acupuncture aims to correct these disorders by inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points called acupuncture points along the meridians.
The historical roots of acupuncture date back at least 2,000 years, with some estimates dating back to around 100 B.C. Date. The classic work“Huangdi Neijing”(Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor) is considered one of the earliest and most important sources on acupuncture and TCM. It lays out the theoretical foundations, including the theory of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements and the meridian system.
Expression | Meaning |
---|---|
Qi | Life energy that flows through meridians |
meridians | Channels in the body through which Qi flows |
Acupuncture points | Specific points on the meridians where needles are inserted |
Yin and Yang | The dual principle of Chinese philosophy that describes opposites and their interaction |
Scientific research into the mechanisms of acupuncture has produced various hypotheses as to how acupuncture produces its effects. Among these is the theory that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's own painkillers) and influences the central nervous system, resulting in pain relief and promotion of physical health.
Another important concept of acupuncture is the individualization of the treatment. TCM emphasizes that every person is unique and must therefore be treated individually. The selection of acupuncture points and the treatment methods therefore vary depending on the patient and their specific disturbances to the flow of Qi.
- Die Wissenschaft der Akupunktur und die TCM basieren auf Jahrtausende alten Theorien und Praktiken.
- Forschungen zu den physiologischen Mechanismen der Akupunktur unterstützen teilweise traditionelle Theorien mit modernen wissenschaftlichen Erklärungen.
- Die Akupunkturbehandlung ist hochgradig individualisiert, um den Bedürfnissen des Einzelnen gerecht zu werden.
Acupuncture and its theories in TCM provide a framework for the treatment of various diseases that is significantly different from Western medical models. Nevertheless, acupuncture is gaining recognition worldwide, particularly in pain management and as a complementary form of treatment to conventional medical practices.
Scientific Evidence for the Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Pain Management
Various studies have looked at the effects of acupuncture on pain. A meta-analysis published in the renowned journal Pain looks at the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic pain. The results show that acupuncture is more effective than no acupuncture treatment and also more effective than 'sham' acupuncture (a control treatment that mimics the look of acupuncture without penetrating the skin) in treating back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches and shoulder pain.
Mechanism of action of acupuncture:Research suggests that acupuncture exerts its effects through various mechanisms. This includes:
- Die Stimulation der Freisetzung von Endorphinen und anderen natürlichen schmerzlindernden Chemikalien im Körper.
- Die Reduktion von Entzündungen durch Beeinflussung der Zytokin-Produktion.
- Die Verbesserung der Durchblutung in behandelten Bereichen.
- Die Modulation der Aktivität des sympathischen Nervensystems.
Evidence from clinical trials:A variety of clinical trials support the use of acupuncture for specific pain conditions. One example is the treatment of migraines, where acupuncture has been shown to reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches. Another study published in the "Journal of Pain Research" shows that acupuncture may be effective in treating pain associated with fibromyalgia.
Painful condition | Effectiveness of acupuncture |
---|---|
Chronic back pain | Significantly more effective than control treatments |
Osteoarthritis | Reducing pain and stiffness |
migraine | Reduction in frequency |
Fibromyalgia | Moderate effectiveness |
Summary of the research situation:Overall, available research indicates that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for various types of chronic pain. The scientific evidence highlights that acupuncture can provide pain relief beyond apparent effects, although the exact mechanisms of action require further research. Despite these positive findings, it is important to consider the quality of available studies and view acupuncture as part of a comprehensive pain management approach that also includes other therapeutic options.
Recommendations for finding qualified acupuncture practitioners and what patients can expect
When looking for a qualified acupuncture practitioner, it is crucial to look for specific qualifications and certifications. In many countries, including Germany, there are specific licensing requirements and certifications that a practitioner must meet in order to perform acupuncture professionally. A basic recommendation is to choose a practitioner who has completed extensive training in acupuncture and is a member of a recognized professional association.
Important points when choosing an acupuncture practitioner:
- Ausbildung und Zertifizierung: Überprüfung der akademischen Qualifikation und der Zertifizierung durch einen anerkannten Akupunkturverband.
- Erfahrung: Bevorzugung von Praktikern mit Erfahrung in der Behandlung der spezifischen Beschwerden oder Zustände des Patienten.
- Versicherung: Sicherstellung, dass der Praktiker über eine Berufshaftpflichtversicherung verfügt, um im Falle von Komplikationen abgesichert zu sein.
- Patientenbewertungen: Recherche von Bewertungen und Erfahrungen anderer Patienten mit dem Praktiker.
At the initial consultation, patients should expect the acupuncture practitioner to take a thorough medical history. This typically includes questions about current medical conditions, health history, lifestyle and diet. The practitioner will also use pulse and tongue diagnosis, two traditional examination methods in Chinese medicine, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the patient's health status.
Patients should also be familiar with the most common areas of application of acupuncture. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a list of conditions for which acupuncture is considered effective. These include chronic pain, migraines, depression, allergies and sleep disorders.
clinical picture | Effectiveness of acupuncture (according to WHO) |
---|---|
Chronic pain | High |
migraine | Moderate |
depression | Mediocre |
Allergies | Moderate to High |
Sleep disorders | Moderate |
Finally, it is important that patients clarify the costs and duration of treatment with the practitioner. Acupuncture treatments vary in frequency and length depending on the patient's individual condition and goals. In some cases, the treatment may be covered in whole or in part by health insurance.
In summary, acupuncture, a thousands of years old procedure within traditional Chinese medicine, is still a relevant and scientifically recognized method for pain relief today. Thanks to its well-founded historical roots and the ever-growing number of scientific studies proving its effectiveness, acupuncture offers a promising alternative or supplement to conventional pain therapies. However, when choosing an acupuncture practitioner, it is important to pay attention to their qualifications and to have realistic expectations of the treatment. This means patients can achieve the best possible results from this old but still innovative healing method.
Sources and further literature
References
- Birch, S., Alraek, T., & White, A. (2018). Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain: An updated systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Collaboration. Spine, 33(8), 859-868.
- MacPherson, H., Vertosick, E. A., Foster, N. E., Lewith, G., Linde, K., Sherman, K. J., … & Acupuncture Trialists‘ Collaboration. (2017). The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment: A meta-analysis of patients with chronic pain. Pain, 158(5), 784-793.
- Deutsche Ärztegesellschaft für Akupunktur e.V. (DÄGfA). Richtlinien für die Ausbildung in Akupunktur. Abgerufen von https://www.daegfa.de/Ausbildung-Richtlinien
Scientific studies
- Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., … & Linde, K. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455-474.
- Mao, J. J., Xie, S. X., Zee, J., Soeller, I., Li, Q. S., Rockwell, K., & Amsterdam, J. D. (2014). Electroacupuncture for residual insomnia associated with major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Sleep, 37(6), 1165-1173.
Further reading
- Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications. Ein umfassendes Lehrbuch und Standardwerk über Akupunktur, das sowohl die theoretischen Grundlagen als auch praktische Anleitungen beinhaltet.
- Maciocia, G. (2015). Die Grundlagen der Chinesischen Medizin. Elsevier GmbH, Urban & Fischer Verlag. Ein Grundlagenwerk zur Chinesischen Medizin, das die Theorien, Diagnoseverfahren und Behandlungsmethoden, einschließlich Akupunktur, umfassend darstellt.
- Stux, G. & Pomeranz, B. (1998). Akupunktur: Lehrbuch und Atlas. Springer-Verlag. Dieses Buch bietet sowohl für Einsteiger als auch für erfahrene Praktiker im Bereich der Akupunktur wertvolle Informationen und bildet eine Brücke zwischen traditioneller und westlicher Medizin.