Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It also has affects the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid, and production of red and white cells. It also stimulates the release of a variety of hormones that help the body to respond to injury and stress.

Acupuncture is best known for the control of pain. However, acupuncture can treat a wide variety of common and uncommon disorders. The following is a list of disorders that can be treated by acupuncture (World Health Organization data):

Respiratory

• Acute Sinusitis
• Acute rhinitis
• Common cold
• Acute tonsillitis
• Acute bronchitis
• Bronchial asthma

Eye

• Acute conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
• Nearsightedness (in children)
• Cataract (without complications)

Mouth

• Toothache, post-extraction pain
• Gingivitis (gum disease)
• Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Hiccups
• Gastritis
• Gastric Hyperacidity
• Ulcers
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Paralytic ileus

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Headache and migraine
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Paralysis following stroke
• Meniere's disease
• Neurogenic bladder disfunction
• Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
• Intercostal neuralgia (pain in the ribs)
• Cervicobrachial syndrome (pain radiating from neck to arm)
• Frozen shoulder or Tennis elbow
• Sciatica
• Low back pain
• Osteoarthritis

In the United States, acupuncture is used frequently for the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, headache, athletic injuries, and posttraumatic and post-surgical pain. It is also used for treating chronic pain associated with immune function dysfunction such as psoriasis (skin disorders), allergies, and asthma. Acupuncture is also found to be effective for the treatment of mind-body disorders such as anxiety, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, insomnia, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and depression. Some modern application of acupuncture is in the treatment of disorders such as alcoholism, addiction, smoking, and eating disorders.