Information from the NIH and WHO

The NIH consensus statement on acupuncture

In 1997 the U.S. National Institutes of Health published a Consensus Statement on the use and effectiveness of Acupuncture for a variety of conditions.

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. While there have been many studies of its potential usefulness, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebos and sham Acupuncture groups. However, promising results have emerged, for example, showing efficacy of Acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofacial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where Acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where Acupuncture interventions will be useful. 1

The World Health Organization Viewpoint on Acupuncture including an alphabetical listing of conditions

In the hands of a well-trained practitioner, Acupuncture has much broader applications beyond pain relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of Acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of common illnesses including:2

Upper Respiratory Tract
Acute sinusitis
Acute rhinitis
Common Cold and Flu
Acute tonsillitis
Respiratory System
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and uncomplicated conditions.)
Eye Disorders
Acute conjunctivitis
Central Retinitis Myopia (in children)
Cataracts (without complications)
Mouth Disorders
Toothache
Post Extraction Pain
Gingivitis
Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Spasms of esophagus
Hiccough
Gastroptosis
Acute and Chronic Gastritis
Gastric Hyperacidity
Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications)
Acute and Chronic Colitis
Acute Bacillary Dysentery
Constipation
Diarrhea
Paralytic Ileus
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Headache and Migraine
Trigeminal Neuralgias
Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)
Pareses Following a Stroke
Peripheral Neuropathies
Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6 months)
Meniere's Disease
Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)
Intercostal Neuralgia
Cervicobrachial Syndrome
Frozen Shoulder
Tennis Elbow
Sciatica
Low Back Pain
Osteoarthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Back and Knee Pain
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue
Sports Injuries and Pains
Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions
Premenstrual Syndrome
Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
Spotting and Excessive Bleeding
Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)
Impotence
Infertility
Incontinence
Prostatis
Mental Emotional Problems
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
The World Health Organization Interregional Seminar compiled the above list of illnesses that may benefit from Acupuncture treatment. The list is only a partial list and is based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research. The inclusion of specific diseases is not meant to indicate the extent of Acupuncture's efficacy in treatment, since all conditions may vary in severity and response.

Sources:

1. NIH, Acupuncture, Nov. 3-5, 1997, Vol. 15, No. 5

2. World Health Organization. Viewpoint on Acupuncture. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.