Modern people prefer to use Western medicine, especially those first-aid painkillers that can be bought in supermarkets, such as paracetamol. If the effect is not satisfactory, Western medicine practitioners will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients. However, these drugs are often associated with stomach problems and should be taken with a stomach medicine.
A recent large-scale study conducted in the emergency departments of four hospitals in Melbourne, Australia (The Alfred, Northern, Cabrini and Epworth hospitals) reported that acupuncture is also as effective as various painkillers for acute pain. (Original link)
Acupuncture can increase the chance of conception in women undergoing IVF treatment. A controlled trial of 57 infertile women undergoing IVF treatment showed that the conception rate was 64.7% for those receiving acupuncture treatment, which was much higher than the 42.5% for those not receiving acupuncture treatment. (Judith et al., 2009)
Acupuncture can improve insomnia. In a controlled trial involving 18 patients with insomnia, those who received acupuncture for five weeks had a 30% increase in urinary a6MTS during the night (12:00am-8:00am) and a 10% decrease during the day (8:00am-3:00pm). while the average sleep time also increased from an average of 5.1 hours before treatment to 6.5 hours. (D. Warren et al., 2004)
Acupuncture can effectively treat women’s menstrual pain. A study of 74 Australian and New Zealand women with menstrual pain before and after acupuncture treatment showed that after three months of acupuncture treatment, the average pain index decreased by nearly half, the duration of pain was also reduced by half, and the dosage of painkillers taken due to menstrual pain was also reduced by nearly half. Studies have confirmed that acupuncture is effective in treating menstrual pain, and that the effect can be maintained for up to nine months after treatment has stopped. (Mike et al., 2017)
