Does acupuncture work? What the evidence says
Acupuncture has been practised for thousands of years, and it's one of the services many of our patients ask about. This is a calm, balanced look at what it may help with, what the research shows, and how it fits alongside your GP care.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a practice within Traditional Chinese medicine in which very fine, single-use needles are placed at specific points on the body. In modern practice it's often used to help with pain, muscle tension and general wellbeing. Many people describe the sessions themselves as deeply relaxing.
What might acupuncture help with?
It's important to be honest here: the evidence is stronger for some conditions than others. Independent reviews (including the widely cited 2017 Acupuncture Evidence Project, which assessed the research across more than 100 conditions) found the most convincing support for acupuncture in areas such as:
- Chronic low back pain
- Migraine prevention and tension-type headache
- Chronic neck pain and some other musculoskeletal pain
- Knee osteoarthritis
For many other conditions the evidence is mixed or still emerging. That's why we're careful not to over-promise: acupuncture may help some people, particularly with pain and tension, but results vary from person to person, and it works best as one part of a broader plan.
Think of acupuncture as a complement to your medical care, not a substitute for seeing your doctor.
Is it safe? Does it hurt?
When performed by a qualified, AHPRA-registered practitioner using single-use sterile needles, acupuncture is widely considered safe. Most people feel little more than a light sensation as the fine needles go in, and side effects (such as slight bruising or brief tiredness) are usually minor. Your practitioner will talk through your health and anything to be aware of before starting.
How it fits with your GP care
The most sensible approach is to see acupuncture as part of a joined-up plan, not something separate from your medical care. If you have a health concern, it's always worth talking to your GP first. They can make sure nothing important is missed, and help you decide whether acupuncture is a reasonable thing to try alongside your usual treatment.
Curious about acupuncture?
Our Chinese-medicine practitioner works alongside your GP, in Cantonese, Mandarin or English. Book online, seven days a week.
Acupuncture at Sirius Health
Because we combine general practice with traditional medicine under one roof, your care stays coordinated. Our acupuncture and Chinese medicine is provided by our physiotherapist and registered Chinese-medicine practitioner Queenie Liu, and by Dr Anthony Chu, so it works hand-in-hand with your GP. And we can care for you in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Sources: McDonald J & Janz S, The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (2017); healthdirect. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia are registered with AHPRA.