Acupuncture Can Be Effective for Chronic Pain

Inserting needles into your body seems like it would cause intense pain. When done by a trained healthcare professional, however, it can actually help relieve many forms of chronic pain.

Acupuncture is increasingly being used in the U.S. for pain management. It’s gaining acceptance as an alternative to opioid drugs for the treatment of certain conditions, such as back and joint pain.

More than 10 million acupuncture treatments are administered every year in the U.S. Many major hospitals are incorporating acupuncture into their services. That includes the University of Vermont Medical Center, which offers acupuncture as part of its Partners Aligned in Transformative Healing comprehensive pain program, developed in partnership with Blue Cross Vermont.

Read on to learn more about acupuncture, its effectiveness in treating pain, and how you might benefit from it.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which says that life force energy (Qi) flows through pathways in the body. When Qi is disrupted or becomes unbalanced, it can lead to illness or pain. Inserting needles at specific points along these pathways can restore the smooth flow of Qi and improve health, TCM practitioners believe.

In Western Medical Acupuncture, the focus is on using needles to stimulate specific nerves and muscles. This triggers the release of endorphins — hormones that act as natural pain relievers. Endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, helping to block pain signals.  

What Happens During Acupuncture?  

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin sterile needles at certain points of the body. Patients say that the needle insertion feels like a small prick, less painful than getting a vaccination or blood draw.

The needles are then gently moved or twirled by the acupuncture practitioner. Heat or mild electrical pulses may be applied to the needles. Treatments typically last 10 to 20 minutes, but in some cases the needles may stay in place for up to an hour. Patients often feel relaxed or energized after an acupuncture session. Soreness where the needles were inserted is common, but it usually doesn’t last long.

Benefits and Risks of Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatments can relieve many discomforts, including:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Tennis elbow
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Dental pain
• Nausea from chemotherapy
• Menstrual cramps
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatica

The risks of acupuncture may include bruising and bleeding at needle insertion sites. More serious but rare complications can include nerve damage and infection. However, the risks are low when acupuncture is administered by a licensed practitioner. In Vermont, acupuncture practitioners are licensed by the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation. Qualifications for licensure include completing an accredited acupuncture educational program and passing a certification exam. Practitioners must also complete a course in clean needle technique.  

How Effective is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture’s effectiveness tends to vary from person to person. Some get significant relief, while others find it ineffective.  

Studies provide conflicting information about how well acupuncture works. Some research found that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain treatment, while other studies showed little improvement.

• Clinical trials involving more than 20,000 patients found that acupuncture provided some relief for chronic musculoskeletal, osteoarthritis, headache, and shoulder pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Pain. The study also found decreases in pain can last for several months.
• Acupuncture can be beneficial for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and may provide improved joint function and quality of life, a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded.
• A study in the Cochrane Library said that “acupuncture probably has little or no effect in reducing pain or improving function” for people with hip osteoarthritis.
• Acupuncture was more effective than a placebo for treating chronic pain, but only by a little, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine said. About 50% of acupuncture patients reported significant pain relief, compared to 42.5% of patients who received placebo (fake) treatments.  

Acupuncture Coverage

If you are experiencing pain, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider and talk about the options for addressing it. If you want to give acupuncture a try, read your outline of coverage to see if your health plan covers it (some of our health plans exclude acupuncture).

Medicare Part B offers limited coverage of acupuncture for treating chronic low back pain. See Medicare’s acupuncture coverage details.

To find an acupuncture practitioner, ask your primary care provider if they can recommend one in your area. You can use our online Find-a-Doctor tool to locate an in-network acupuncture practitioner. A few Vermont acupuncture practitioners offer member discounts.

Lastly, to help you reduce your pain levels, we offer these tips for managing pain.