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What the research actually says

Many of our patients work in healthcare. This library summarizes 90 peer-reviewed sources and guidelines across 22 topics — including results that don't favor acupuncture. Every source links to its PubMed or official record.
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We prioritize systematic reviews, Cochrane reviews, clinical guidelines and large randomized trials, and we say plainly when results are mixed or uncertain. Many trials compare acupuncture with usual care; fewer compare it with sham acupuncture, where differences are usually smaller. Last reviewed October 2026. Research describes groups of people, not guarantees for any individual.

Fertility & women's health

Latest research

Recent studies, summarized honestly — including results that did not show a benefit. A study protocol is a plan, not evidence.

  • New · Feb 2026IVF · poor ovarian response

    Acupuncture before IVF for poor ovarian response

    What researchers studied
    A 9-hospital randomized trial: 140 women with poor ovarian response had 36 acupuncture sessions before IVF stimulation, or IVF alone.
    What they found
    No significant difference in eggs retrieved (the main outcome), total clinical pregnancy or total live birth. Some intermediate measures — embryo cleavage rate and basal FSH — differed.
    Important limitations
    No sham control, small sample, and not powered to detect differences in live birth. A published commentary raised the same concerns.

    Source: Su C et al., Front Endocrinol (2026). PubMed 41837144 (opens in a new tab)

    Read our plain-language explainer →

  • New · Feb 2026Protocol — no results yetIVF · diminished ovarian reserve

    A planned trial with placebo acupuncture (protocol)

    What researchers studied
    Describes a future 300-woman trial comparing acupuncture with placebo acupuncture before IVF in diminished ovarian reserve.
    What they found
    No results yet — this publication is a study plan.
    Important limitations
    A protocol is not evidence that acupuncture works. We'll update this card if results are published.

    Source: Liu X et al., Front Endocrinol (2026). PubMed 41727691 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · Jun 2026IVF · diminished ovarian reserve

    Review of 11 small trials in diminished ovarian reserve

    What researchers studied
    A meta-analysis pooling 11 randomized trials (885 women) of acupuncture during IVF/ICSI.
    What they found
    Reported higher pregnancy and live-birth rates with acupuncture.
    Important limitations
    Certainty rated very low to moderate; trials were small and mostly not sham-controlled — and the larger 2026 multicenter trial above found no significant difference.

    Source: Xu L et al., Front Endocrinol (2026). PubMed 42358682 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · Sep 2025IVF · embryo transfer day

    Acupuncture on embryo-transfer day

    What researchers studied
    A meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials of acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer.
    What they found
    More clinical pregnancies only when compared with no treatment; no difference versus sham acupuncture and no effect on live birth.
    Important limitations
    When compared with sham, the apparent benefit disappeared.

    Source: Wang Y et al., Front Reprod Health (2025). PubMed 41064015 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · Sep 2025Menopause

    Electroacupuncture for hot flashes in early menopause

    What researchers studied
    A sham-controlled randomized trial in 72 women in early menopause.
    What they found
    Hot-flash scores did not differ from sham; menopause-symptom, quality-of-life and sleep scores improved more than with sham.
    Important limitations
    Small trial. Professional guidance (NAMS 2023) does not recommend acupuncture specifically for hot flashes.

    Source: Wang HX et al., J Integr Med (2025). PubMed 40846522 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · Aug 2025Endometriosis

    Acupuncture alone for endometriosis-related pain

    What researchers studied
    A meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials (535 women).
    What they found
    Pain scores were lower with acupuncture; a marker called CA125 did not change.
    Important limitations
    Small trials with varied comparators and risk of bias.

    Source: Yang F et al., Medicine (Baltimore) (2025). PubMed 40859475 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · 2024Painful periods

    Non-drug options for painful periods

    What researchers studied
    A network meta-analysis of 33 studies comparing non-drug approaches.
    What they found
    Acupuncture probably reduced short-term period pain compared with placebo or no treatment, alongside exercise and heat.
    Important limitations
    Short-term outcomes only; the authors call for larger, better-quality trials.

    Source: Li X et al., BMJ Evid Based Med (2024). PubMed 38242565 (opens in a new tab)

  • New · 2024Pregnancy

    Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

    What researchers studied
    A meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials (2,390 women).
    What they found
    Acupuncture added to usual medicine did better than medicine alone, with no excess serious adverse events.
    Important limitations
    Certainty moderate to very low, with high variability between trials.

    Source: Jin B et al., Complement Ther Med (2024). PubMed 39214380 (opens in a new tab)

Research by topic

Chronic pain

The largest analysis to date pooled individual data from 39 high-quality trials and more than 20,000 patients with back, neck, joint, headache and shoulder pain. Acupuncture outperformed both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture; the advantage over sham was small, the advantage over usual care larger, and benefits largely persisted for up to a year. The authors concluded referral for acupuncture is a reasonable option for chronic pain.

2 sources
  1. [1]Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. PubMed 29198932 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005 (opens in a new tab)· individual patient data meta-analysis
  2. [2]MacPherson H, Vertosick EA, Foster NE, et al. The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment: a meta-analysis of patients with chronic pain. Pain. 2017;158(5):784-793. PubMed 27764035 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000747 (opens in a new tab)· individual patient data meta-analysis

Low back pain

The American College of Physicians' 2017 guideline lists acupuncture among the non-drug treatments to consider first for chronic low back pain. A 2020 Cochrane review found clear benefit versus no treatment, but only a small difference versus sham acupuncture. Expect a reasonable, guideline-endorsed option with modest benefit — not a cure.

2 sources
  1. [1]Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. PubMed 28192789 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.7326/M16-2367 (opens in a new tab)· clinical practice guideline
  2. [2]Mu J, Furlan AD, Lam WY, et al. Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;12(12):CD013814. PubMed 33306198 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD013814 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Migraine prevention

A 2016 Cochrane review of 22 trials found acupuncture reduces how often migraines occur, appearing at least similarly effective to preventive medications with fewer side-effect dropouts. Its advantage over sham acupuncture was small.

1 source
  1. [1]Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2016(6):CD001218. PubMed 27351677 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Safety

Large prospective studies support a good safety record. A UK survey of about 32,000 treatments found no serious adverse events; a German study of more than 229,000 patients found 8.6% reported a side effect, most often minor bleeding or bruising. Serious complications are rare but real, which is why training, sterile single-use needles and careful technique matter.

4 sources
  1. [1]White A, Hayhoe S, Hart A, et al. Adverse events following acupuncture: prospective survey of 32 000 consultations with doctors and physiotherapists. BMJ. 2001;323(7311):485-6. PubMed 11532840 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1136/bmj.323.7311.485 (opens in a new tab)· prospective survey
  2. [2]Witt CM, Pach D, Brinkhaus B, et al. Safety of acupuncture: results of a prospective observational study with 229,230 patients and introduction of a medical information and consent form. Forsch Komplementmed. 2009;16(2):91-7. PubMed 19420954 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1159/000209315 (opens in a new tab)· prospective observational study
  3. [3]Chan MWC, Wu XY, Wu JCY, et al. Safety of Acupuncture: Overview of Systematic Reviews. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):3369. PubMed 28611366 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1038/s41598-017-03272-0 (opens in a new tab)· overview of systematic reviews
  4. [4]National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. NCCIH website (nccih.nih.gov). 2022. Source (opens in a new tab)· government resource

Neck pain

In a large UK trial of people with long-standing neck pain, adding acupuncture to usual care modestly reduced pain and disability at 12 months. A 2025 review of 26 trials found acupuncture reduced neck pain and disability more than sham-type treatments, though evidence quality ranged from very low to moderate.

2 sources
  1. [1]MacPherson H, Tilbrook H, Richmond S, et al. Alexander Technique Lessons or Acupuncture Sessions for Persons With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(9):653-62. PubMed 26524571 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.7326/M15-0667 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (pragmatic)
  2. [2]Xie CR, Zhang ZY, Tao QF, et al. Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Neck Pain: Systematic Review and Meta‑analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis. J Pain Res. 2025;18:6297-6316. PubMed 41322280 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.2147/JPR.S558059 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Cancer-related pain

The 2022 Society for Integrative Oncology–ASCO guideline recommends acupuncture for aromatase-inhibitor-related joint pain and says it may be recommended for general cancer pain or musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is supportive care and does not treat cancer.

1 source
  1. [1]Mao JJ, Ismaila N, Bao T, et al. Integrative Medicine for Pain Management in Oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2022;40(34):3998-4024. PubMed 36122322 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1200/JCO.22.01357 (opens in a new tab)· clinical practice guideline

Nausea (PC6 point)

Cochrane reviews of dozens of trials found that stimulating the PC6 point on the inner wrist reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting compared with sham, with minor side effects. For chemotherapy-related nausea, a 2023 review found acupuncture added to standard anti-nausea medicine may help, but with low to very low certainty.

3 sources
  1. [1]Lee A, Chan SK, Fan LT Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point PC6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(11):CD003281. PubMed 26522652 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD003281.pub4 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  2. [2]Lee A, Zhang JZ, Xie J, et al. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point PC6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025;9(9):CD003281. PubMed 40938065 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD003281.pub5 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review (network meta-analysis)
  3. [3]Yan Y, López-Alcalde J, Zhang L, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Med. 2023;12(11):12504-12517. PubMed 37226372 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/cam4.5962 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Pregnancy

For pelvic and low-back pain in pregnancy, single studies suggest acupuncture may help, with minor, short-lived side effects (exercise has the most consistent evidence). For breech presentation, a 2023 Cochrane review found moderate-certainty evidence that moxibustion plus usual care probably reduces non-head-first presentation at birth. For nausea in early pregnancy, evidence for acupuncture is limited.

3 sources
  1. [1]Liddle SD, Pennick V Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD001139. PubMed 26422811 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001139.pub4 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  2. [2]Coyle ME, Smith C, Peat B Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;5(5):CD003928. PubMed 37158339 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD003928.pub4 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  3. [3]Matthews A, Haas DM, O'Mathúna DP, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD007575. PubMed 26348534 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007575.pub4 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Anxiety

Reviews suggest acupuncture may reduce anxiety symptoms, with side effects similar to control treatments, and a 2026 meta-analysis of 12 trials reported a benefit. Study designs vary widely and high-quality sham-controlled evidence is limited. Best viewed as a complement to established anxiety care.

2 sources
  1. [1]Amorim D, Amado J, Brito I, et al. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;31:31-37. PubMed 29705474 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.008 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review
  2. [2]Wang D, Sun J, Chuan EY, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investig. 2026;23(8):963-975. PubMed 42613003 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.30773/pi.2025.0437 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Cupping & gua sha

Reviews found cupping reduced chronic pain and neck pain compared with no treatment, though it didn't clearly beat sham cupping and studies were generally low quality. A small trial found gua sha gave short-term neck-pain relief compared with a heat pad. Both commonly leave temporary marks.

3 sources
  1. [1]Cramer H, Klose P, Teut M, et al. Cupping for Patients With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2020;21(9-10):943-956. PubMed 31982686 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.01.002 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis
  2. [2]Kim S, Lee SH, Kim MR, et al. Is cupping therapy effective in patients with neck pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2018;8(11):e021070. PubMed 30397006 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021070 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis
  3. [3]Braun M, Schwickert M, Nielsen A, et al. Effectiveness of traditional Chinese "gua sha" therapy in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Med. 2011;12(3):362-9. PubMed 21276190 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01053.x (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (small, open-label)

How acupuncture may work

Needling stimulates nerves in skin and muscle; those signals reach the spinal cord and brain and can engage the body's own pain-modulating systems, including endogenous opioids. Imaging shows measurable brain effects. Mechanisms are not fully understood, and some benefit in trials comes from non-specific effects such as expectation, attention and the care setting.

3 sources
  1. [1]Kaptchuk TJ Acupuncture: theory, efficacy, and practice. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(5):374-83. PubMed 11874310 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-136-5-200203050-00010 (opens in a new tab)· narrative review
  2. [2]Zhang ZJ, Wang XM, McAlonan GM Neural acupuncture unit: a new concept for interpreting effects and mechanisms of acupuncture. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:429412. PubMed 22474503 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1155/2012/429412 (opens in a new tab)· narrative/theoretical review
  3. [3][No authors listed] (NIH Consensus Development Conference) NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA. 1998;280(17):1518-24. PubMed 9809733 (opens in a new tab)· NIH consensus statement

Knee osteoarthritis

The American College of Rheumatology conditionally recommends acupuncture for knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis — it may help some people. Trials vary: one large 2021 trial found intensive electroacupuncture beat sham, while a 2014 trial found no benefit over sham. Exercise and weight management remain the cornerstones; acupuncture can be an add-on.

4 sources
  1. [1]Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233. PubMed 31908163 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/art.41142 (opens in a new tab)· clinical practice guideline
  2. [2]Tu JF, Yang JW, Shi GX, et al. Efficacy of Intensive Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021;73(3):448-458. PubMed 33174383 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/art.41584 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (sham-controlled)
  3. [3]Hinman RS, McCrory P, Pirotta M, et al. Acupuncture for chronic knee pain: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014;312(13):1313-22. PubMed 25268438 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1001/jama.2014.12660 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (sham-controlled)
  4. [4]Manheimer E, Cheng K, Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;2010(1):CD001977. PubMed 20091527 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001977.pub2 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Fibromyalgia

A Cochrane review found acupuncture improved pain and stiffness compared with no treatment or standard care, but not compared with sham; benefits faded by six months. A 2025 review reported improvements in pain, fatigue and mood but called for larger, high-quality studies.

2 sources
  1. [1]Deare JC, Zheng Z, Xue CC, et al. Acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(5):CD007070. PubMed 23728665 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007070.pub2 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  2. [2]Ye Z, Xue C, Liu Q, et al. The efficacy of acupuncture treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1710642. PubMed 41625751 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.3389/fmed.2025.1710642 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

IVF & assisted reproduction

A large, rigorous trial of 848 women undergoing IVF found no difference in live births between acupuncture and sham acupuncture. The Cochrane review found no evidence that acupuncture improves live birth or pregnancy rates. A 2019 review found more pregnancies when acupuncture was compared with no added treatment, but not when compared with sham — suggesting general effects such as relaxation and support. Some patients choose acupuncture for comfort and stress support during IVF; it should not be thought of as increasing the chance of a baby.

5 sources
  1. [1]Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018;319(19):1990-1998. PubMed 29800212 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1001/jama.2018.5336 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (sham-controlled)
  2. [2]Cheong YC, Dix S, Hung Yu Ng E, et al. Acupuncture and assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(7):CD006920. PubMed 23888428 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub3 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  3. [3]Smith CA, Armour M, Shewamene Z, et al. Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019;38(3):364-379. PubMed 30658892 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.038 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis
  4. [4]Su C, Wang X, Liu X, et al. Effect of acupuncture for poor ovarian response: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Front Endocrinol. 2026;17:1765527. PubMed 41837144 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.3389/fendo.2026.1765527 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (no sham control)
  5. [5]Wang Y, Ji J, Duan N, Yin Y. Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy on embryo transfer day: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Front Reprod Health. 2025;7. PubMed 41064015 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.3389/frph.2025.1673144 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Hot flashes

Pragmatic trials have found real-world improvement: in a US trial, hot-flash frequency fell by 36.7% at six months with acupuncture versus no acupuncture, and an Italian trial in women with breast cancer found benefit when added to self-care. However, a Cochrane review found no significant difference between real and sham acupuncture, and acupuncture appeared less effective than hormone therapy.

5 sources
  1. [1]Avis NE, Coeytaux RR, Isom S, et al. Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial. Menopause. 2016;23(6):626-37. PubMed 27023860 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1097/GME.0000000000000597 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (pragmatic, waitlist-controlled)
  2. [2]Lesi G, Razzini G, Musti MA, et al. Acupuncture As an Integrative Approach for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (AcCliMaT). J Clin Oncol. 2016;34(15):1795-802. PubMed 27022113 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1200/JCO.2015.63.2893 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (pragmatic)
  3. [3]Dodin S, Blanchet C, Marc I, et al. Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(7):CD007410. PubMed 23897589 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007410.pub2 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  4. [4]Liu C, et al. Effect of acupuncture on menopausal hot flushes and serum hormone levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2022;40(4):289-298. PubMed 34894774 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1177/09645284211056655 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis
  5. [5]The 2023 Nonhormone Therapy Position Statement Advisory Panel The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2023;30(6):573-590. PubMed 37252752 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1097/GME.0000000000002200 (opens in a new tab)· clinical position statement

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

A small pilot trial found acupuncture improved neuropathy symptoms compared with usual care, and a 2026 review of 40 trials found some symptom improvement — but with very low certainty. Standard treatment options are limited as well; ASCO identifies duloxetine as the only agent with adequate evidence for painful CIPN.

3 sources
  1. [1]Bao T, Patil S, Chen C, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Procedure on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(3):e200681. PubMed 32159808 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.0681 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (pilot)
  2. [2]Pan Z, Wu J, Xie Y, et al. Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis. J Pain Res. 2026;19:631984. PubMed 42780628 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.2147/JPR.S631984 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis
  3. [3]Loprinzi CL, Lacchetti C, Bleeker J, et al. Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(28):3325-3348. PubMed 32663120 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1200/JCO.20.01399 (opens in a new tab)· clinical practice guideline

PCOS

A large, high-quality trial of 1,000 women with PCOS found acupuncture did not increase live births compared with control acupuncture (the medication clomiphene did). The 2025 Cochrane review found no clear difference between real and sham acupuncture for live birth, ovulation, pregnancy or cycle regularity. Acupuncture is not an evidence-based fertility treatment for PCOS; at Seven Medicine it is offered only as complementary wellbeing support.

3 sources
  1. [1]Wu XK, Stener-Victorin E, Kuang HY, et al. Effect of Acupuncture and Clomiphene in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017;317(24):2502-2514. PubMed 28655015 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1001/jama.2017.7217 (opens in a new tab)· randomized controlled trial (factorial, sham-controlled)
  2. [2]Zhang GS, Lim ECN, Cheng NCL, et al. Acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025;10(10):CD007689. PubMed 41147529 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub5 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  3. [3]Lim CED, Ng RWC, Cheng NCL, et al. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;7(7):CD007689. PubMed 31264709 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub4 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Menstrual pain

A 2016 Cochrane review of 42 trials found lower pain scores with acupuncture than with no treatment or NSAIDs in several studies, but results versus sham were inconsistent and overall quality was low. The reviewers concluded there isn't enough evidence to say whether acupuncture or acupressure work for period pain.

1 source
  1. [1]Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, et al. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD007854. PubMed 27087494 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Endometriosis pain

An older Cochrane review found only one eligible trial. A 2025 review of nine small trials found acupuncture reduced endometriosis-related pain but noted methodological weaknesses and called for larger studies. Acupuncture may be considered as a complement to gynecologic care.

2 sources
  1. [1]Zhu X, Hamilton KD, McNicol ED Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;2011(9):CD007864. PubMed 21901713 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007864.pub2 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  2. [2]Yang F, Wang L, Wang YW, et al. Acupuncture monotherapy for endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(34):e44005. PubMed 40859475 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000044005 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Insomnia

A Cochrane review found evidence too low-quality to support or refute acupuncture for insomnia. A 2025 Cochrane review in people with cancer found it may help versus no treatment but may make little difference versus sham, and was likely less effective than CBT-I — which remains the recommended first-line treatment.

2 sources
  1. [1]Cheuk DK, Yeung WF, Chung KF, et al. Acupuncture for insomnia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;2012(9):CD005472. PubMed 22972087 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD005472.pub3 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review
  2. [2]Ma Q, Liu C, Zhao G, et al. Acupuncture for insomnia in people with cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025;12(12):CD015177. PubMed 41347621 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD015177.pub2 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Cosmetic acupuncture & microneedling

Evidence for cosmetic facial acupuncture is a single small, uncontrolled pilot study showing some improvement in a facial elasticity measure, with mild bruising as the main side effect. For microneedling, reviews suggest improvement in acne scars and signs of skin aging with short downtime; studies are generally small, and pigment changes are possible.

4 sources
  1. [1]Yun Y, Kim S, Kim M, et al. Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:424313. PubMed 23983778 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1155/2013/424313 (opens in a new tab)· uncontrolled pilot study (open-label, single-arm)
  2. [2]Ramaut L, Hoeksema H, Pirayesh A, et al. Microneedling: Where do we stand now? A systematic review of the literature. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2018;71(1):1-14. PubMed 28690124 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.06.006 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review
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