Is Acupuncture an Effective Remedy for Acne, Psoriasis and Allergies?

Several study groups are interested in the efficacy of acupuncture for acne, psoriasis, allergies and related conditions.

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In the acupuncture school of thought, there are certain points in the body called "meridians."  These meridians are believed  to balance and restore correct energy flow through the body. By targeting specific skin meridians, the acupuncture therapy practitioners treat the blockages and nervous conditions that lead to conditions such acne, psoriasis, and allergies.

The China Study - Acupuncture and Skin Allergies

The first study on acupuncture for acne, psoriasis, allergies was done in 1992 and focused on acupuncture as a treatment for allergies on skin.

Conducted in China, the small study took 61 patients known to be resistant to conventional treatments.  Acupuncture treatments were administered on an average of nine sessions for each patient. According to the study, acupuncture produced extremely good results. More than 50% of the patients treated with acupuncture for allergies experienced remissions and complete healing, while most underwent some improvement in their conditions.

The Russian Study - Acupuncture and Acne, Psoriasis and Allergies

In Russia, a different study was also conducted on the efficacy of acupuncture for acne, psoriasis, allergies, and other skin conditions. Like the one done in China, this study also showed good results. According to the findings, 20% of patients who underwent acupuncture treatment for acne, psoriasis, allergies, and other skin conditions experienced remissions. Approximately 50% of patients showed good improvements in psoriasis symptoms.

Acupuncture Research in the West

Larger studies have also been done in the west. However, majority of them have given mixed results. So far, there has been no clear evidence showing that acupuncture for acne, psoriasis, allergies, or other  conditions is an effective treatment. But improvement continues to be reported in individual cases. Some acne and psoriasis patients say that after going through several acupuncture sessions, their symptoms have shown some significant improvement.

Conclusion

Acupuncture for acne, psoriasis and allergies is an innovative and exciting idea that may be worth further research, particularly since drug based treatment on all these conditions is far from perfect and can result in significant side effects.

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