Acupuncture: What It Is and What the Evidence Shows

Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor provides Acupuncture?

An acupuncturist, a practitioner who inserts fine needles into the skin, gives acupuncture. Most states license acupuncturists, and the requirements differ from state to state. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What it is

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin to treat health problems. The needles may be moved by hand or stimulated with small electrical currents, which is called electroacupuncture.

What people use it for

In the United States, people most often use acupuncture for pain, such as back, joint, or neck pain.

Acupuncture has also been studied for at least 50 other health problems. Some evidence suggests it may help with seasonal allergy symptoms. It may also help with stress incontinence in women, which is urine leaking when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. It may help with nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment.

How to prepare

These steps may help you get ready.

  • Ask if your state licenses acupuncturists. Most states do.
  • Ask whether the needles are sterile and single use. The FDA requires this for acupuncture needles.
  • Tell your health care providers that you use acupuncture.
  • Ask about cost. Some insurance policies cover acupuncture and others do not.
  • Do not use acupuncture to put off seeing a health care provider about a health problem.

What happens during it

The practitioner inserts fine needles into the skin at specific points on the body. They may move the needles by hand or send small electrical currents through them.

Recovery

Relatively few complications from acupuncture have been reported. Most problems come from nonsterile needles or treatment that is not given properly.

What the research shows and safety concerns

Research suggests acupuncture may help with several kinds of pain. These include back or neck pain, knee pain from osteoarthritis, and pain after surgery.

In many studies, acupuncture beat no treatment by more than it beat sham acupuncture. Sham acupuncture is a fake treatment, such as a device that pokes the skin without going in. So other effects, such as belief in the treatment, add to the benefit.

For some problems, the research shows little or no benefit. For irritable bowel syndrome, it was no better than sham acupuncture. In asthma, it has not been shown to improve lung function. For in vitro fertilization, pregnancy and live birth rates were the same as with sham acupuncture.

Poorly given acupuncture can cause serious problems. These include infections, punctured organs, and injury to the central nervous system. The FDA requires sterile needles that are labeled for single use only.

Do not use acupuncture to put off seeing a health care provider about a health problem.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting.

Who performs it

An acupuncturist performs acupuncture. Most states license acupuncturists. The requirements differ from state to state. Some insurance policies cover acupuncture and others do not. Medicare covers it only for chronic low-back pain.

Common questions

Does acupuncture work for pain?

It may help with some kinds of pain. Research has shown that acupuncture may be helpful for back or neck pain, knee pain from osteoarthritis, and pain after surgery. Part of the benefit may come from effects other than the needles themselves.

Is acupuncture safe?

It can be risky if it is not given properly, though relatively few problems have been reported. Serious ones can include infections, punctured organs, and nervous system injury. These happen when acupuncture is not given properly. Problems have come from nonsterile needles.

How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can be a health care provider you talk with about the acupuncture you use.

Sources

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety
  2. MedlinePlus - Acupuncture

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.