Accupuncture Points for Pain

Manipulation of acupuncture points is used to treat pain from head to toe, including headaches, labor pain and arthritis. For people who are unable to use medications or other means of pain relief, acupuncture might reduce their pain and improve the quality of life.

Function

• Acupuncture points identified by Chinese practitioners reduce pain by restoring vital energy or energy flow, also referred to as qi, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Features

• Each of the 14 meridians has multiple points that correspond to the internal organs, and the points are often located distant to the location of the physical pain. For example, the point at the inner elbow is used to treat eye pain.

Geography

• Meridians run the entire length of the body, extending into the fingers and toes; multiple needles at points all over the body are often used to treat a specific type of pain.

Considerations

• Because acupuncture treatments for pain often require removal of clothing, people who are modest should bring or request a sheet or towel for use during treatment.

Benefits

• According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, people who believe that using acupuncture points to treat pain will work have greater pain reduction.

Effects

• Acupuncture treatments for pain might cause side effects including soreness or bleeding, internal injuries and infections such as hepatitis if the needles were not sterile.