Scientific Evidence

Acupuncture for Inflammation

1. Inflammatory Markers — Rheumatoid Arthritis

Acupuncture Measurably Reduces Inflammation Markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found that acupuncture produced statistically significant reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) — the same inflammatory markers measured in standard blood panels — in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers concluded that acupuncture not only relieves pain but measurably reduces the biological markers of inflammation itself.

"Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials", PubMed / PMC — Published 2022 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9852793 🔗 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9078778/

2. Acupuncture's Neuroimmune Mechanism

Science Reveals the Mechanism of How Acupuncture Reduces Inflammation at Its Source

A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience explored how acupuncture reduces inflammation and pain through the nervous and immune systems working together. Researchers found that acupuncture regulates immune cell activity, inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory substances such as substance P, and suppresses key inflammatory signaling pathways — at both the site of needling and within the central nervous system. The study concluded that acupuncture produces its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects through an integrated regulation of the neuroimmune system at multiple levels simultaneously.

"Role of Neuroimmune Crosstalk in Mediating the Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Acupuncture on Inflammatory Pain", Frontiers in Neuroscience / Published 2021 🔗 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8366064/ Frontiers

3. Crohn's Disease

Acupuncture Shown to Treat Chronic Inflammation Across Multiple Conditions

A 2020 clinical review published in Mediators of Inflammation (PMC) examined acupuncture's role across a broad range of chronic inflammation-associated disorders. Researchers found that fine needle stimulation triggers the release of neurotransmitters, initiating a cascade of biological responses that address chronic inflammation — not in one condition alone, but across multiple body systems simultaneously. The study supports acupuncture as a clinically relevant intervention for the complex, multi-system nature of chronic inflammatory disease.

"Clinical Events Associated with Acupuncture Intervention for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammation Associated Disorders", PMC / Published 2020, 🔗 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7336212/ nih

4. Chronic Inflammation — Multiple Conditions

Acupuncture Improves Gut Inflammation and Microbiome in Crohn's Disease

A 2022 randomized controlled trial published in eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) followed 66 patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease over 48 weeks. Patients who received acupuncture showed significantly higher clinical remission and response rates compared to the sham group. Beyond symptom relief, the study found that acupuncture measurably improved intestinal microbiota and reduced circulating inflammatory markers — suggesting that acupuncture addresses gut inflammation not only at the symptomatic level but at the biological level as well. Indiana University

"Acupuncture Improves the Symptoms, Intestinal Microbiota, and Inflammation of Patients with Mild to Moderate Crohn's Disease", eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet) / 2022 RCT, 🔗 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00030-X/fulltext

5. Anxiety, Cortisol, and Serotonin

Acupuncture Reduces Cortisol and Relieves Anxiety and Depression in Clinical Trial

A 2021 randomized controlled trial published in Annals of Translational Medicine studied 60 patients with chronic insomnia, anxiety, and depression over four weeks with a three-month follow-up. Researchers measured cortisol (CORT) and serotonin (5-HT) levels before and after treatment. The acupuncture group showed significantly greater reductions in cortisol and increases in serotonin compared to the sham group, alongside measurable improvements in anxiety and depression scores. The study concluded that acupuncture produces stable long-term improvement by directly regulating the hormonal stress response — not simply managing symptoms.

"Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Chronic Insomnia", Annals of Translational Medicine — Published 2021, PMID: PMC8506741
🔗 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8506741/

6. IBS — Symptoms and Quality of Life

Acupuncture Regulates Cortisol and Serotonin to Relieve Anxiety and Depression

A 2021 randomized controlled trial published in Annals of Translational Medicine studied 60 patients with chronic insomnia, anxiety, and depression over four weeks. Researchers directly measured cortisol (CORT), a stress hormone linked to HPA axis overactivation, and serotonin (5-HT), essential for mood regulation. The acupuncture group showed significantly greater reductions in cortisol and increases in serotonin compared to the sham group, with stable improvements in anxiety and depression scores maintained at three-month follow-up.

"The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Acupuncture on Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder", ScienceDirect — 2024 Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2024.101034, 🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949834124000114

7. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Acupuncture Shown to Reduce Inflammatory Markers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine evaluated four randomized controlled trials involving 228 IBD patients. Acupuncture significantly improved quality of life and reduced symptom severity, including abdominal pain, bloating, bowel patterns, and impact on daily life, by directly regulating multiple inflammatory factors — demonstrating that acupuncture addresses gut inflammation at the biological level.

"Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Acupuncture in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", ScienceDirect — Published 2023
🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096522992300033X

8. Endometriosis — Root Cause

Acupuncture Reduces Inflammation, Immune Dysregulation, and Disease Markers in Endometriosis

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics searched eight databases and analyzed randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for endometriosis. Beyond pain relief, researchers found that acupuncture reduced serum CA-125 levels — a recognized marker of endometriosis activity — decreased the size of nodules, and lowered recurrence rates. At the biological level, acupuncture regulated immune dysfunction by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6, modulated prostaglandin secretion, and acted on the NF-κB and VEGF signaling pathways that govern tissue growth and chronic inflammation in endometriosis.

"Acupuncture for Clinical Improvement of Endometriosis-Related Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / PMC — Published 2024, 🔗 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11393010/

9. Endometriosis — Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture Combined with Chinese Herbal Medicine versus Chinese Herbal Medicine Alone to Improve Clinical Efficacy in Treating Endometriosis-Associated Pain
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Medicine analyzed 16 randomized controlled trials involving women with endometriosis-associated pain. Researchers found that acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine significantly increased clinical efficacy and reduced pain scores compared to herbal medicine alone. The combination also reduced serum CA-125 levels and prostaglandin E2 — measurable biological markers of endometriosis activity and inflammation — suggesting that acupuncture and herbal medicine work synergistically to address the condition at both the symptomatic and biological levels.

Effects of Mind-Body Interventions on Immune and Neuroendocrine Functions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal: Frontiers in Medicine, Year: 2025; DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1649980, 🔗 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12571871/