ACUPUNCTURE RESEARCH AND COMMONLY TREATED CONDITIONS

The Acupuncture Research resource centre is a project originally associated with Thames Valley University, and independent, though the project does receive some funding from the British Acupuncture Council. Over the past few years they have brought together research information on the acupuncture treatment of a variety of diseases and ailments.

At ARRC they understand more about how acupuncture works and how it is actually used and so are able to make decisions about the usefulness of studies which are more aligned with actual practice. They also may include some studies that are ignored by other organisations because of the study control used, blinding method etc. ARRC research strategy

Resources summarising research on acupuncture

Download or view PDF fact sheets compiled by the Acupuncture Research resource centre ARRC and distributed by the British Acupuncture council (BAcC). Just click on the disease of interest listed below.

  • acne
    briefing paper explaining acne and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of acne.
  • allergic rhinitis
    briefing paper explaining allergic rhinitis and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
  • anxiety
    briefing paper explaining anxiety and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety.
  • back pain
    briefing paper explaining back pain and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of back pain.
  • bells palsy
    briefing paper explaining bells palsy and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of bells palsy.
  • childbirth
    briefing paper explaining and summarising research on acupuncture used as preparation and during childbirth.
  • cancer care
    briefing paper explaining cancer and summarising research on acupuncture used in the support of people with cancer.
  • carpal tunnel syndrome
    briefing paper explaining carpal tunnel syndrome and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
    briefing paper explaining chronic fatigue and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • chronic pain
    briefing paper about chronic pain and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain.
  • colds and flu
    briefing paper about colds and flu and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of colds and flu.
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD
    briefing paper explaining COPD and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • cystitis
    briefing paper about cystitis and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of cystitis and urinary tract infections.
  • dementia
    briefing paper explaining dementia and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of dementia.
  • dentistry
    briefing paper summarising research on the use of acupuncture in dental treatment.
  • depression
    briefing paper about depression and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of depression.
  • diabetes- type 2
    briefing paper on diabetes and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
  • dysmenorrhoea
    briefing paper explaining period pain and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea- painful periods.
  • eczema & psoriasis
    briefing paper about skin disorders and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.
  • endometriosis
    briefing paper explaining endometriosis and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of endometriosis.
  • facial pain
    briefing paper about facial pain and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of facial pain.
  • female infertility
    briefing paper about fertility problems and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility.
  • fibromyalgia
    briefing paper explaining fibromyalgia and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
  • frozen shoulder
    briefing paper explaining frozen shoulder and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of frozen shoulder.
  • gastrointestinal
    briefing paper explaining gastrointestinal illness and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of gastrointestinal problems.
  • gout
    briefing paper explaining gout and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of gout.
  • headache
    briefing paper about headache and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of headaches.
  • herpes
    briefing paper about different types of herpes and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of herpes.
  • HIV and AIDS support
    briefing paper explaining acne and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of acne.
  • hypertension
    briefing paper about high blood pressure and research on acupuncture in the treatment of high blood pressure.
  • infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
    briefing paper about infertility and summarising research on the use of acupuncture with IVF, IUI, ICSI etc .
  • insomnia
    briefing paper about insomnia, summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia.
  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
    briefing paper about irritable bowel syndromw (IBS), summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of IBS.
  • kidney stones
    briefing paper about research on acupuncture in the treatment of kidney stones.
  • male infertility 
    briefing paper about male infertility, summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of sperm count, morphology and motility.
  • menopausal symptoms
    briefing paper about the menopause, summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
  • migraines
    briefing paper about migraine, summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of migraine.
  • multiple sclerosis
    briefing paper about Multiple sclerosis, summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
  • nausea and vomiting
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.
  • neuropathic pain
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
  • obesity
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of obesity.
  • obstetrics
    briefing paper summarising research on the use of acupuncture during pregnancy.
  • osteoarthritis
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
  • palliative care
    briefing paper summarising research on the use of acupuncture in palliative care.
  • parkinsons disease
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment ofparkinsons disease.
  • premenstrual syndrome
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of pre-menstrual symptoms.
  • polycystic ovary syndrome
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • post-operative care
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in post operative care.
  • puerperium
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture treatment in the phase after childbirth (puerperium).
  • raynauds disease
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of raynauds disease- a circulatory condition.
  • rheumatoid arthritis
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
  • sciatica
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of sciatica.
  • sinusitis
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of sinusitis.
  • sports injuries
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of sports injuries.
  • stress
    briefing paper about stress and summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of stressa nd related symptoms.
  • stroke
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of stroke and in stroke rehabilitation.
  • substance abuse
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of addiction and substance abuse.
  • tennis elbow
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of tennis elbow.
  • thyroid disease
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of thyroid disease.
  • tinnitus
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of tinnitus.
  • urinary incontinence
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
  • vertigo
    briefing paper summarising research on acupuncture in the treatment of vertigo.

Formore information on acupuncture and conditions that can be treated with acupuncture, please also visit the British Acupuncture Council website:

BAcC research fact sheets.