From controlling appetites to skin conditions, managing joint pain and boosting fertility, acupuncture in Hong Kong has become much more popular and widely accepted today. This modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine works by inserting thin needles into the targeted area, gently applying pressure, and warming certain areas of the body, and for anyone who’s tried it, there’s no denying that it hits the nerves (as evidenced by the electric shock and writhing that usually comes with the wiggling of each needle adjustment).

For those who are still on the fence about acupuncture in Hong Kong, we asked Health Wise Chinese Medicine Consultancy, a TCM specialised clinic with over 30 years of experience, to share some interesting facts about acupuncture and three conditions where you might want to give it a try:

Is acupuncture effective?

Research supports the effectiveness of acupuncture in pain management. A review of 29 studies involving 18,000 participants found that acupuncture reduced pain by around 50%. High-quality randomised controlled trials have also shown acupuncture to be effective in managing:

• chronic neck pain
• joint pain
• migraines
• perioperative and postoperative pain
• visceral pain (pain related to the internal organs in the midline of the body), such as angina pectoris (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart). 

Furthermore in recent years, acupuncture has been used with positive effects in oncology, pediatrics, fertility, emergency medicine, and even post-traumatic psychiatric disorders.

The body of research for acupuncture in Hong Kong and globally is growing, and the use cases for this Traditional Chinese Medicine modality continue to make an impact in this modern age. Here’s some more research on acupuncture for common pain-related conditions:

Acupuncture For Neck Pain 

One study conducted at a Primary Health Care Centre in Madrid looked at the effectiveness of acupuncture on people suffering from chronic neck pain (Cerezo-Téllez, 2016). The study included 130 participants experiencing neck pain and found that significant and clinically relevant differences were found in favour of using acupuncture for relieving neck pain. The study concluded that acupuncture accompanied by passive stretching is more effective than passive stretching alone in treating people with neck pain.

Acupuncture For Joint Pain 

Joint pain is another common issue, with osteoarthritis being a frequent cause as we age. Osteoarthritis knee joint pain is the eighth leading cause of disability globally. Treatment options are often extreme, involving surgery with its associated side effects or drugs, or are effective but take a long time, such as physical therapy. A study on the use of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee found that it can provide modest improvement in function and pain for those suffering from this condition (Selfe, 2010). 

Acupuncture For Migraines 

Migraines are another condition that can be effectively treated with acupuncture in Hong Kong. Research has shown that acupuncture is an effective preventive treatment for migraines, with fewer side effects than commonly prescribed medications. In one study, participants receiving acupuncture had significantly fewer days with migraines and used fewer rescue medications compared to the control group (Zhao, 2017). 

If you’re suffering from any type of joint pain and looking to try acupuncture in Hong Kong, why not give it a try?

Health Wise Chinese Medicine Consultancy, Room 1003, Winway Building, 50 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, chinesemed.hk