Acupuncture News and Research

Acupuncture Efficacy for Allergic Rhinitis Confirmed

A new set of international, evidence-based guidelines led by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and endorsed by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies concludes that acupuncture and related Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interventions provide clinically significant relief for allergic rhinitis. Analysis of 351 randomized controlled trials with 43,276 participants demonstrated measurable improvements in symptom control, recurrence reduction, and quality of life when acupuncture was applied according to syndrome differentiation principles [1].

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Cannabis Research in Chinese Medicine Finds Broad Medical Potential

New research highlights the long-recognized role of hemp seed (Huo Ma Ren, Cannabis sativa L.) in Chinese medicine and its emerging place in modern health science. Published in Phytochemical Analysis, the research evaluates the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical potential of hemp seed while calling for stronger quality standards [1]. We also take a look at the use of cannabis throughout Chinese medicine history, including both the psychoactive flower and non-psychoactive seed.

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Acupuncture Anti-Inflammatory Effects On Allergies Confirmed

A randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that acupuncture significantly reduces nasal inflammation and improves symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) [1]. The investigators report that, compared with sham acupuncture or antihistamine medication alone, real acupuncture produced measurable clinical and biochemical benefits, with beneficial clinical effects detectable after the very first acupuncture treatment session.

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Acupuncture Relief For Knee Osteoarthritis Affirmed

A systematic review examining twenty-one randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,176 patients concluded that acupuncture provides both clinically significant pain relief and measurable biological protection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) [1]. Researchers reported that patients receiving acupuncture consistently experienced reductions of two to four points on the Visual Analogue Scale and functional improvements of 25 to 40 percent on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index compared with sham procedures or usual care [1].

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Acupuncture Webinar: Emotional Balance, Achilles Tendon Disorders, and Knee Pain 9-7-25

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Pacific Time)

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Herbal Therapy Shows Analgesic and Functional Benefits for Osteoporosis Management

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials has concluded that the proprietary herbal formula Xianling Gubao (XLGB) capsule is safe and effective for reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with primary osteoporosis. While XLGB did not demonstrate significant superiority over conventional pharmaceuticals for fracture reduction or bone mineral density, its consistent analgesic and patient-reported outcome improvements highlight its role as a viable adjunct therapy [1].

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Migraine Treatment Acupuncture Combinations Identified

Acupuncture research has identified clinically effective acupoints and combinations for migraine treatment using large-scale data mining of acupuncture prescriptions. Researchers from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, analyzed 911 clinical trials, encompassing 1,610 prescriptions and 181 acupoints, to establish evidence-based guidelines for migraine care [1].

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Acupuncture CEU Webinar: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Back Pain Relief 8-24-25

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Earn 4 CEU/PDA credits in this Zoom webinar designed for licensed acupuncturists. This event focuses on two high-demand areas of care—carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain relief—with practical clinical protocols and the latest supporting research.

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MRI Confirms Acupuncture Improves Brain Microstructure in Traumatic Brain Injury

A randomized controlled trial conducted at Xi’an Jiaotong University demonstrated that acupuncture significantly reduced postconcussion symptoms (PCS) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and improved white matter microstructure as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI is an advanced form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that measures the diffusion, or movement, of water molecules in brain tissue. Unlike conventional MRI, which shows anatomical structure, DTI can detect microstructural changes in white matter tracts by mapping how water diffuses along axons. The study confirmed both short-term and long-term efficacy, establishing acupuncture as the only intervention in the trial to produce durable clinical and radiological benefits [1].

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Herbs for H. pylori Eradication & Ulcer Healing

A randomized controlled trial in adults with peptic ulcer and confirmed Helicobacter pylori infection found that adding the Chinese herbal regimen Anweiyang capsule and Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang to standard quadruple therapy significantly increased H. pylori eradication rates, improved ulcer healing, and reduced serum inflammatory biomarkers over four weeks compared with standard therapy alone [1].

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