ACUPUNCTURE GOLD COAST

Migraine

Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce the intensity of migraine pain, the frequency and duration of attacks, and even the reliance on medications compared to conventional treatments. Research suggests that combining acupuncture with medication or using specialized acupuncture techniques, such as electroacupuncture, may enhance these benefits, offering a well-rounded approach to migraine management.

Tension Headache

Acupuncture has been shown to provide effective relief for tension headaches by reducing their frequency, duration, and intensity. Research highlights that electroacupuncture is especially effective for lowering headache frequency and shortening duration, while combining manual acupuncture with Western medicine offers the greatest reduction in pain intensity.

Want to learn more about how pressure points can help with tension headaches? Check out our article – The Magic 8 Pressure Points for Headache Relief.

Neck Pain

Acupuncture has been shown to provide lasting relief for chronic neck pain by reducing pain intensity, improving neck function, and enhancing quality of life. Research highlights that acupuncture’s benefits can persist for at least three months after treatment, with electroacupuncture and combined approaches like acupuncture plus exercise showing particularly strong results in improving functional outcomes.

Jaw Pain

Acupuncture has been shown to help manage jaw pain associated with temporomandibular disorders by easing muscle tension, reducing pain intensity, and improving jaw function. Research suggests that acupuncture is particularly effective for pain of muscular origin, providing short-term relief while addressing key symptoms. Both needle acupuncture and laser acupuncture have demonstrated measurable benefits, especially when combined with complementary treatments like occlusal devices.

Shoulder Pain

Acupuncture, particularly when combined with physical therapy, has been shown to provide effective short- and medium-term relief for shoulder pain from rotator cuff disorders, with significant improvements in pain relief, range of motion, and movements like abduction, flexion, and external rotation. Research suggests that corticosteroid injections can also provide pain relief, and integrating acupuncture with physical therapy may offer additional benefits for functional recovery.

Low Back Pain

Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for both chronic and acute low back pain, offering relief at different stages of recovery.

For chronic low back pain, acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain intensity and improve mobility, helping people manage long-term discomfort. Research highlights that acupuncture provides moderate pain relief and functional improvements beyond usual care and sham treatments, making it a valuable option for sustained back pain management.

For acute and subacute low back pain, acupuncture can help relieve pain and support recovery, providing a safe alternative to pain medications. Studies show that acupuncture reduces pain intensity more effectively than many oral medications and improves short-term function, making it an effective option for those experiencing sudden or recent back pain.

Sciatica

Acupuncture can help relieve sciatica, a condition that causes pain, numbness, or weakness along the sciatic nerve. Research highlights that acupuncture provides better pain relief and functional improvement compared to many common analgesics. However, severe sciatica and some chronic cases may not respond to acupuncture and may require other medical treatments. For mild or moderate cases, acupuncture remains a safe and valuable option for managing sciatic pain.

Knee Pain

Knee osteoarthritis can make everyday movements painful and difficult. Research shows that acupuncture provides significant pain relief and functional improvement, with effects greater than NSAIDs and comparable to intra-articular injections. Electroacupuncture and higher treatment doses offer the best results, with benefits lasting up to 26 weeks in many cases. While effects may diminish over time, acupuncture remains a safe, medication-free approach to easing knee osteoarthritis pain.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can make daily activities painful and difficult. Research shows that acupuncture and dry needling provide effective pain relief, with benefits lasting at least 8 weeks. Studies suggest that electroacupuncture may enhance results, while combining dry needling with stretching or manual therapy can further improve outcomes. While long-term effects remain uncertain, these therapies offer a safe, medication-free option for managing plantar fasciitis pain.

Want to learn more about how acupuncture can help with plantar fasciitis? Check out our article – How Acupuncture Can Soothe Your Plantar Fasciitis in 4 Short Weeks.

Post-Operative Pain

Acupuncture, when used alongside standard pain relief medications, can help ease postoperative pain and support recovery. Research shows that patients recovering from total knee and hip replacements experienced on average a 45% reduction in pain after treatment. A systematic review on total knee replacement also found that acupuncture can provide meaningful pain relief within the first 48 hours, improve early function, and reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery. While long-term effects vary, acupuncture is a safe, medication-free option that can complement standard postoperative care.

ACL Rehab Support

Acupuncture, when combined with standard rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, can help ease postoperative pain and improve knee mobility. Research shows it provided the greatest relief within the first 4–8 weeks, helping patients experience less pain, reduced swelling, and better flexibility, making it easier to bend and straighten the knee, move comfortably, and stay engaged in rehab. While results may vary, acupuncture is a valuable complement to conventional rehabilitation, supporting recovery across all stages and contributing to modest improvements in long-term function.

Sports Medicine

Acupuncture is becoming a valuable tool in sports medicine, helping athletes with pain relief, recovery, and performance. Research shows it can reduce muscle soreness, decrease swelling, improve joint mobility, and speed up healing after injuries. It also plays a role in sports rehabilitation, helping athletes recover more effectively, stay engaged in rehab, and manage pain throughout the healing process. Beyond the physical benefits, acupuncture has been shown to reduce competition anxiety and enhance focus, making it a powerful ally for both body and mind.

Post-Viral Symptoms

Acupuncture is emerging as a promising option for managing post-viral symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, mood disturbances, and headaches. Findings from this research show that acupuncture significantly improved fatigue, reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced cognitive function, supported better sleep quality, and alleviated headache intensity in patients recovering from viral infections. While effects may vary, research suggests acupuncture is a safe and natural complement to conventional care, offering valuable support for lingering post-viral symptoms.

Hay Fever

Acupuncture has been shown to effectively relieve runny nose, sneezing, and nasal itching in people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Research consistently finds that acupuncture outperforms no treatment and sham acupuncture in reducing these symptoms. While its effects on nasal congestion and postnasal drip are less consistent, studies suggest that combining acupuncture with antihistamines may enhance symptom control and provide longer-lasting relief. Acupuncture is a safe and natural complement to conventional allergy management.

Generalized Anxiety

Acupuncture has been shown to moderately reduce anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), particularly excessive worry, nervous tension, and restlessness. It may also provide comparable relief to anti-anxiety medications, with fewer side effects. Studies show that acupuncture works quickly, often easing symptoms within the first few weeks, making it a valuable option for those seeking immediate support while waiting for medications to take full effect.

Depression (with antidepressants)

For those managing depression, acupuncture can be a valuable supportive therapy alongside standard medical and psychological care. Research shows that acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture (EA), significantly enhanced the effects of antidepressants, with studies finding that EA plus medication led to nearly nine times greater symptom reduction compared to waitlist groups, while manual acupuncture (MA) plus medication also produced strong improvements.

Acupuncture has also been shown to provide meaningful benefits in mood regulation, sleep quality, and physical well-being, helping to ease emotional distress, excessive worry, and fatigue. Patients receiving acupuncture as part of their depression treatment have reported clearer thinking, improved energy, and reduced muscle tension, which can support their overall recovery. Studies also indicate that acupuncture is well tolerated, with fewer side effects than antidepressants.

Important Note: Acupuncture is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for standard depression treatment. If you are currently receiving care for depression, it is essential to continue taking prescribed antidepressants and remain under the care of a qualified mental health professional. Acupuncture can be an effective way to support overall well-being, but it should always be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Insomnia

If you struggle with poor sleep, acupuncture may help. Research shows it can add over an hour of extra sleep per night, improve sleep efficiency by 11%, and increase deep sleep (N3) and REM sleep by 9%, both essential for memory, recovery, and emotional well-being. While it may not help you fall asleep faster, research shows acupuncture improves sleep quality and deep sleep. As a safe, medication-free option, it’s a great choice for those looking to restore their natural sleep patterns