CLINICAL
ACUPUNCTURE.
115+ medical conditions treatable with evidence-based protocols, organized across 8 specialties. Curated by the team of physician specialists at CEIMEC.
Orthopedics
Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis
How medical acupuncture reduces pain and improves joint function in knee osteoarthritis through nociceptive inhibition and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Hip Osteoarthritis
How medical acupuncture acts on the neuromodulation of articular afferent pathways, reducing pain and improving function in coxarthrosis.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Subacromial Bursitis
How medical acupuncture reduces subacromial impingement through rotator cuff relaxation and control of the neuroimmunological inflammation of the bursa.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Trochanteric Bursitis
How neuroimmunological inflammatory control and deactivation of trigger points in the gluteus medius relieve lateral hip pain in trochanteric bursitis.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Coccydynia
How needling of the pelvic floor musculature and the sacrococcygeal ligaments relieves chronic coccyx pain — a condition that is often difficult to treat.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Patellar Chondromalacia
How dry needling of the vastus lateralis and segmental neuromodulation promote patellar realignment, analgesia, and functional recovery.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Trigger Finger
How dry needling and acupuncture reduce flexor-tendon tension and A1 pulley inflammation, restoring normal finger glide.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Patellofemoral Pain
How rebalancing of myofascial forces between the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis through acupuncture resolves patellar tracking dysfunction and anterior knee pain.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Ankle Sprain
How electroacupuncture in the subacute phase accelerates edema drainage, analgesia, and proprioceptive recovery after ligamentous ankle sprain.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis
How dry needling and electroacupuncture promote local vasodilation and healing of the extensor carpi radialis tendon in tennis elbow.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
How medical acupuncture controls reactive muscle hypertonia and the radicular pain associated with vertebral slippage, without risk of additional instability.
OrthopedicsAcupuncture for Cervical Spondylosis
How medical acupuncture inhibits facet joint pain and relaxes the cervical paravertebral musculature, reducing pain and stiffness in cervical spine degeneration.
Physiatry
Acupuncture for Tension-Type Headache
Deactivation of pericranial and cervical trigger points, modulation of trigeminal nociception, and reduction in episode frequency — an evidence-based prophylactic alternative.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia)
Deactivation of cervical trigger points, segmental modulation C2–C7, and restoration of mobility — consistent evidence in systematic reviews for chronic neck pain.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Migraine
Complementary prophylaxis of migraine with robust evidence (Cochrane review) — trigeminovascular neuromodulation as an option associated with conventional medical treatment.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
Needling of the wrist flexors and pronator teres, segmental neuromodulation C6-T1, and modulation of insertional tendinopathy — alternative to corticosteroids.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis
Needling of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar fascia, periosteal electroacupuncture, and reduction of morning pain — an evidence-based alternative for chronic plantar pain.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Fibromyalgia
Modulation of central sensitization, restoration of deep sleep, and reduction of diffuse pain — electroacupuncture as a tool in fibromyalgia.
PhysiatryAcupuncture in the Conservative Treatment of Herniated Disc
Segmental neuromodulation, reduction of periradicular inflammation, and control of radicular pain without surgery — evidence and clinical protocols.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Low Back Pain (Chronic Lumbago)
The condition with the highest level of evidence for acupuncture — recommended by the ACP, NICE, and WHO as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Support for recovery from sprains, strains, and musculotendinous injuries — pain control, edema reduction, and support for safe return to sport with medical acupuncture as an adjunct.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Rhizarthrosis (Thumb Osteoarthritis)
Nociceptive modulation of the carpometacarpal joint, reduction of synovial inflammation, and improvement of pinch function — an alternative to chronic NSAID use.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Trigger point deactivation through dry needling and electroacupuncture: neurophysiological mechanisms, evidence, and clinical protocols for chronic myofascial pain.
PhysiatryAcupuncture for Torticollis and Cervical Spasms
Rapid relief of acute spasm of the sternocleidomastoid and scalenes — direct needling for immediate restoration of cervical range of motion.
Neurology
Acupuncture for Cluster Headache
Hypothalamic modulation and trigeminal neurostimulation to reduce the frequency and intensity of cluster headache attacks — the most painful of all primary headaches.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Nocturnal Leg Cramps
Complementary approach for involuntary nocturnal muscle contractions, with initial evidence suggesting a role for acupuncture at BL-57 — a point related to the soleus and gastrocnemius — as an option to be considered case by case.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Dysautonomia
Rebalancing the autonomic nervous system — vagal modulation, control of orthostatic hypotension, and improvement of heart rate variability through direct neuromodulation.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Cervical Dystonia
Complement to botulinum toxin — support in relieving inter-cycle pain and improving quality of life between injections, always coordinated with the neurologist responsible for the botulinum toxin.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Ménière Disease
Support in the control of attacks, tinnitus, and aural fullness as a complement to otorhinolaryngologic management — an option for selected patients, always coordinated with the attending physician.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Central Post-Stroke Pain
Thalamic and spinothalamic pathway modulation for control of Dejerine-Roussy syndrome: the central neuropathic pain most refractory to conventional pharmacotherapy
NeurologyAcupuncture for Sciatic Nerve Pain (Sciatica)
Sciatic nerve neuromodulation and reduction of L4–S1 periradicular inflammation with medical acupuncture: relief of leg radiating pain without dependence on opioids
NeurologyAcupuncture in Multiple Sclerosis
Management of neurological symptoms — spasticity, fatigue, and neuropathic pain — as a complement to disease-modifying therapies.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Post-Stroke Spasticity
Reduction of spastic hypertonia, prevention of contractures, and facilitation of motor neuroplasticity after stroke with medical electroacupuncture
NeurologyAcupuncture for Trigeminal Neuralgia
How medical acupuncture modulates the spinal trigeminal nucleus (caudal subnucleus) and uses low-frequency electrostimulation to control severe facial neuropathic pain.
NeurologyAcupuncture for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Treatment of chronic neuropathic pain after herpes zoster with medical acupuncture: neuromodulation of the affected dermatome and control of allodynia without opioid dependence
NeurologyAcupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy
Support in the control of burning pain, tingling, and paresthesias of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy with medical acupuncture — as a complement to conventional pharmacological treatment
Rheumatology
Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis
How medical acupuncture activates the vagal anti-inflammatory pathway and modulates the HPA axis for systemic pain control and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Psoriatic Arthritis
Control of arthralgia and complement to cutaneous improvement — integrated approach to psoriasis and arthritis through shared immunological and analgesic mechanisms.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Paget Disease of Bone
Periosteal analgesia and control of compensatory muscle spasm in Paget disease — without altering alkaline phosphatase or the structural progression of the disease.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Control of inflammatory axial pain and functional improvement as a complement to NSAIDs and biologic agents — reduction in BASDAI and morning stiffness documented in 9 RCTs.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Gout
Relief of acute flares and reduction in episode frequency — action on IL-1β and uric acid as a complement to urate-lowering therapy.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos
Control of chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue in hypermobility syndrome — a specialized approach with technique adapted for defective collagen.
RheumatologyAcupuncture in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Management of arthralgia, fatigue, and quality of life as a complement to rheumatologic treatment — documented immunomodulation with reduction of IL-6 and SLEDAI.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Osteoporosis-Related Pain
Analgesia in osteoporotic vertebral fractures and chronic osteoporotic back pain — reduction of opioid consumption and functional improvement in the frail elderly patient.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Adjunct for control of residual pain and support during the gradual corticosteroid taper supervised by the rheumatologist — preservation of function in the older adult.
RheumatologyAcupuncture for Sjögren's Syndrome
Reflex stimulation of the salivary and lacrimal glands as a complementary option — possible gains in salivary flow and dry-eye symptoms described in studies of moderate evidence.
Gynecology and Urology
Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)
How medical acupuncture reduces menstrual pain through uterine artery vasodilation, prostaglandin reduction, and activation of descending pain inhibitory pathways.
Gastroenterology
Acupuncture for Biliary Colic
Relief of biliary smooth muscle spasm and acute visceral analgesia through neurovegetative mechanisms — a complementary option to conventional treatment, not a substitute for cholecystectomy when indicated.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Infant Colic
Pediatric technique adapted with superficial needling for autonomic regulation of the infant — reduction of inconsolable crying documented in randomized controlled trials.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Chronic Constipation
Increased stool frequency, improved stool consistency, and relief of abdominal discomfort — electroacupuncture with evidence from a large clinical trial in The Lancet.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Functional Dyspepsia
Relief of postprandial fullness, early satiety, and epigastric pain — studies suggest improvement in gastric emptying and reduction of dyspeptic symptoms, as a complement to gastroenterologist evaluation.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Crohn Disease
Modulation of transmural inflammation and regulation of the enteric-cerebral axis as an adjuvant strategy in the control of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Functional Abdominal Pain
Reduction of central visceral hyperalgesia and modulation of the gut-brain axis in chronic abdominal pain syndrome without identifiable organic substrate.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Chronic Gastritis
Possible modulation of gastric motility and symptomatic control, with neurovegetative mechanisms suggested in preliminary studies; adjuvant therapy to conventional clinical management.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
How medical acupuncture increases lower esophageal sphincter tone via vagal modulation, reduces transient relaxations, and controls acid secretion for sustained reflux relief.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Ulcerative Colitis
Possible autonomic modulation through the anti-inflammatory vagal reflex as an adjuvant in the control of chronic inflammatory bowel disease; evidence in early studies.
GastroenterologyAcupuncture for Intractable Hiccups
Possible reduction of persistent and intractable hiccups — hypothesized inhibition of the phrenic reflex arc via PC-6 and central modulation, with response reported in a portion of cases as early as the first sessions.
ENT and Respiratory
Acupuncture for Allergic Rhinitis
How medical acupuncture modulates the cellular immune response, reduces histamine release by nasal mast cells, and controls allergic rhinitis symptoms in a sustained manner.
Mental Health and Dermatology
Acupuncture for Bruxism
How medical acupuncture deactivates trigger points in the masticatory muscles, reduces nocturnal electromyographic activity, and modulates the HPA axis to control bruxism at its source.
