Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine

Finally, all the included studies were from the Chinese-language literature, which may be subject to geographic bias. In addition, although the funnel plot did not suggest significant publication bias, the possibility that negative results were not published can still not be completely excluded. Furthermore, a significant limitation is that the majority of included studies either lacked adequate reporting of TCM pattern diagnosis methodology or did not apply it at all. The absence of standardized implementation and reporting of pattern differentiation introduces substantial heterogeneity, which may compromise the interpretation and generalizability of our findings.
We don’t give herbs for “back pain” or “shoulder pain” but we use herbs for the disharmony your body is in, which has then lead to that flare up of pain. Some herbal formulas work like a direct tonic to your body, putting substance into you that your body requires to function more optimally. Acupuncture for Shingles For myself, if I get a back pain, over the years I would always go to herbs first. While it’s actually not as hard as you might think to needle yourself, my main reason is you don’t have to stop or lie down to have herbs! There are plenty of times I’ve used both, but actually if I have pain, I would rarely just use acupuncture alone.

Here are some of the practices that are changing the way Americans approach medical care. It’s important to know that Chinese herbal medicine dosen’t work by “treating” the problem as such…it’s treating whats’ wrong with your body’s function. There are more than 450 substances commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine – most are of plant origin though some animal and mineral substances may also be used. Some substances that were used traditionally are no longer part of modern professional Chinese herbal medicine practice.
One of the main goals of TCM is to balance the effects of the body’s “qi”, known in the West as the “Vital Force”, to live in harmony with the surrounding “qi”. In conclusion, acupuncture is a valuable component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. From pain relief and improved fertility to enhanced immune function and better sleep, acupuncture can address a wide range of health concerns. If you are considering acupuncture as a treatment option, it is advisable to consult with a qualified practitioner to determine if it is suitable for your specific needs. With its long history and proven effectiveness, acupuncture continues to be a popular choice for those seeking holistic healthcare.
By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore harmony to these relationships, thereby promoting healing and well being. ​The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

When used under professional guidance, Chinese herbal medicine works in harmony with the body’s natural systems to promote long-term wellness, resilience, and sustainable results. At ACA Acupuncture and Wellness, we use Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs to restore balance, support energy, and address the root causes of health concerns. These herbs are prescribed according to core TCM principles such as balancing Yin and Yang, supporting Blood and Qi, and clearing internal imbalances, allowing the body to heal more effectively. Roofener describes the Cleveland Clinic’s approach, emphasizing the use of traditional formulas with specific roles for each herb. Main active ingredients target primary complaints, while others address secondary issues, resulting in customized herbal formulas for each person.
It is important to note that acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner. The needles used are sterile and disposable, minimizing the risk of infection. However, it is essential to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncturist who has undergone proper training and certification. I warmly invite you to experience the benefits of Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture for yourself. Whether you are looking for relief, recovery, or simply a healthier and more balanced life, I would be honoured to be part of your healthcare journey.

Funnel plot of clinical pregnancy rate (acupuncture vs. control group), conducted in Stata 12.0 [61]. Safety outcomes encompassed AEs and serious adverse events (SAEs), as defined by the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines [62], occurring throughout the treatment. The terminologies and severity of AEs were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and any other relevant criteria [63]. Meta-analysis of implantation rate (acupuncture vs. control group), conducted using a random-effects model in Stata 12.0 [61]. In evaluating the results of the outcome measures in the context of EATM and ART, the chosen outcome measures—CPRs, LBRs, IRs, and AEs—are fundamental for assessing treatment effectiveness.
Acupuncture and herbs are two ancient practices central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While both approaches aim to restore balance and health within the body, they work through different methods—acupuncture through physical stimulation of specific points on the body, and herbs through medicinal compounds derived from natural sources. Chinese herbs can complement the acupuncture treatment by nourishing the kidneys (which play a key role in fertility according to TCM), supporting healthy hormone levels, and improving the quality of eggs or sperm. A personalized herbal formula might include herbs like Dang Gui (Angelica) for blood tonification and Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium) for kidney support.
Spring Health is a ballarat acupuncture & herbal medicine service, specialising in both women, mens & children’s health, IVF Support, digestive health, natural fertility, autoimmune disorders, pain conditions and chronic disease management. In this line of thought, the integration of TCM into Western health systems and research requires a pragmatic science-based approach. The standardization of diagnosis and therapeutic methodologies is a crucial factor. This process requires measuring a wide range of variables in a representative sample and statistical procedures to validate the findings. As shown in a previous review, this can also lead to new technological systems to measure TCM-related effects, and to calibrate and mimic complex and skillful diagnosis procedures [211]. A second crucial factor is the further development of experimental approaches in TCM research, such as the double-blinding of acupuncture trials [120,134,135,136,137] and the development of a placebo for “Qigong” research [212].

To validate these findings and guide clinical integration, future studies should prioritize large-scale, multi-center, and double-blind randomized controlled trials with standardized treatment protocols and rigorous methodological designs. Mechanistic research and long-term outcome studies across diverse populations are also essential in order to establish the role of East Asian traditional medicine in reproductive medicine. Another limitation lies in the variability of practitioner expertise, which could have influenced treatment outcomes. While acupuncture is ideally administered by certified professionals, only 12 of the 25 acupuncture studies explicitly confirmed that treatments were delivered by certified acupuncturists [7,11,30,36,39,40,42,43,46,47,48,49].
If you’re considering acupuncture and herbs, finding a qualified practitioner is crucial. Look for professionals who are licensed by a recognized body, such as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)17 in the United States or The British Acupuncture Council in the UK18. It’s equally important to verify that your herbalist or acupuncturist uses high-quality, regulated herbs to ensure safety. To avoid these risks, herbal treatments should always be prescribed by a trained herbalist who understands the complexities of TCM and modern medicine. Using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs together is a common approach for addressing a range of conditions17, from chronic illnesses to acute pain.
The first clinical trial was carried in October 1972, after multiple extraction studies. The trial was successful, and the team started working in the isolation and purification of what came to be known as artemisinin. Later, the team discovered dihydroartemisinin, a derivate of artemisinin that is ten times more potent clinically, demonstrating a high efficacy, rapid action and low toxicity [28]. Earlier this year, we and our colleagues published a large review to draw together the evidence.