Acupuncture is a highly effective alternative to managing both acute and chronic pain, and, with virtually no side effects, should be more fulsomely integrated into modern healthcare systems concludes the most recent study of the 2500-year-old medical discipline.
In an August 2025 peer reviewed study published in the European Society of Medicine, acupuncture and electro-acupuncture (EA) were clinically reaffirmed as highly effective in managing pain and inflammation in a broad spectrum of healthcare applications.
The study concludes that acupuncture can work more quickly, effectively and safely than opiates and other pharmaceuticals and, as such, should be more fully integrated into healthcare settings. Positive outcomes were found in acupuncture treatments for osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer treatment related pain and neuropathy, gynaecology and obstetrics, diabetic neuropathy, migraine and tension headaches, as well as back, shoulder and neck pain.
“As research methodologies continue to evolve, so too does our understanding of how acupuncture and electroacupuncture interact with biological pathways to alleviate pain,” observes Katrina Dollano, a Toronto-based Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist, and Vice President of Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario. “Advances in neuroimaging and molecular studies are revealing the intricate processes by which acupuncture treatments influence neurotransmitter release, modulate inflammatory mediators, and alter pain perception”, she adds.
Acupuncture treatments are always personalized, taking into account genetic, psychological, and lifestyle factors that may affect individual responses to treatments and outcomes. This tailored approach has the potential to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse effects. Moreover, integrative pain management models can incorporate acupuncture alongside conventional pharmacological and physical therapies, reflecting a shift towards more holistic, patient-centred care.
As the evidence base expands, acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, administered by professionals registered in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are ancient modalities ready to play an increasingly prominent role in multidisciplinary approaches to healthcare, particularly in pain management, offering hope to patients seeking safe, effective, and enduring relief from pain and faster more complete recovery from injury and illness.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Kenny, TCMO President: 705-768-0504
Katrina Dollano, Vice-President, TCMO: katrina.dollano@tcmo.ca
Heather Kenny, President, TCMO: heather.kenny@tcmo.ca