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A brief history: over 3,000 years of medicine
Acupuncture originated in Traditional Chinese Medicine more than 3,000 years ago, as part of a broader medical system that includes herbal medicine, nutrition, movement, and philosophy.
It is based on the concept of Qi, often described as vital energy, which flows through the body along channels known as meridians. When this flow becomes blocked or imbalanced, symptoms and disease may arise. Acupuncture aims to restore balance by stimulating specific points on the body.
Over time, this practice spread:
- To Korea and Japan around the 6th century
- To Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries
- And more widely to Western countries in the 20th century
Today, it is one of the most commonly used complementary therapies worldwide.
What does acupuncture do? Tradition vs physiology
From a traditional perspective, acupuncture:
- Regulates the flow of Qi
- Restores balance between organ systems
- Addresses the root of imbalance, not just symptoms
From a modern biomedical perspective, several mechanisms have been proposed:
- Release of endorphins and modulation of pain pathways
- Effects on the central nervous system
- Neuroendocrine and immune regulation
Some studies suggest benefits—particularly in chronic pain and headaches—although results are not always consistent or conclusive.
In other words: there are signals of effectiveness, but also important methodological limitations. And this is where much of the debate lies.
Where is acupuncture most integrated?
The integration of acupuncture varies significantly depending on cultural and healthcare contexts:
- China, Korea, and Japan: fully integrated into the healthcare system
- Germany, Switzerland, and the UK: partially integrated, especially in pain management and rehabilitation
- United States: widely used as a complementary therapy, with millions of sessions each year
- Spain: commonly used in private practice, with limited integration in public healthcare
The World Health Organization has, in recent years, encouraged the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems—while emphasizing the need for regulation and scientific evaluation.
What conditions is it used for?
In both clinical practice and research, acupuncture is most commonly used for:
- Chronic pain (low back pain, neck pain, migraines)
- Functional digestive disorders
- Anxiety, stress, and insomnia
- Hormonal health and fertility
- Symptom management alongside medical treatments (such as chemotherapy)
The strongest evidence exists in pain management, although even there, results can be variable.
In other areas, its use is often more clinical and experience-based than strongly evidence-supported.
So… does it work?
The honest answer is: it depends on how you look at it.
- There are studies showing benefit
- There are patients who clearly improve
- And there are cases where results are comparable to placebo
This doesn’t necessarily invalidate the practice—but it does mean we need to approach it with nuance, without idealizing it or dismissing it.
Closing
This is where I like to position myself.
Because beyond the scientific debate—which matters—what I see in clinical practice is something else: bodies that begin to regulate when they are truly listened to.
For me, acupuncture is not just about inserting needles. It’s a way of reading the body in a different language.
A language where symptoms are not mistakes to eliminate, but signals to understand. Where the digestive system, the nervous system, and emotional health are not separate. And where, often, what creates the biggest shift is not only the technique itself—but the context, the presence, and the coherence of the approach.
Is it magic? No. Is it for everyone? Not necessarily.
But in the right patient, at the right moment, and integrated with other approaches… it can be a very powerful tool.
