Evidence & Research

How evidence informs my practice

Research into acupuncture and Chinese medicine is ongoing and continues to evolve. As with many areas of healthcare, the evidence base includes a combination of clinical trials, observational studies, and practitioner experience. In my practice, research evidence is considered alongside clinical judgement and individual response to care. The studies referenced here are intended to provide context for how acupuncture is currently being investigated, rather than to offer definitive answers or guarantees.

Research background

During my undergraduate training, I undertook a critical literature review examining the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. This work was recognised with the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence and is currently being prepared for journal submission. Engaging deeply with study design, bias, and clinical relevance has shaped how I interpret research more broadly. Evidence is considered carefully and contextualised within individual presentation rather than applied as a fixed protocol.

A note on acupuncture research

Research into acupuncture presents particular challenges. Treatment is individualised, responsive, and context-dependent, which can be difficult to capture within standardised trial designs. For this reason, research findings are best understood as contributing to a broader picture rather than providing simple conclusions. Outcomes can vary depending on study design, practitioner skill, treatment frequency, and the condition being addressed. This is consistent with how evidence is interpreted across many areas of complex, person-centred healthcare.

Selected research references

The following publications are examples of how acupuncture is being studied across a range of presentations. This list is selective rather than exhaustive.

Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions

MacPherson, H. et al. (2017). Acupuncture for chronic pain and depression in primary care: a programme of research. NIHR Journals Library. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28121095/

Vickers, A.J. et al. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455–474. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5927830/

DeBar, L.L., et al. (2025). Acupuncture for chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomised clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open, 8(9):e2531348. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838793

Headache and migraine

Linde, K. et al. (2016). Acupuncture for the prevention of tension‐type headache.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), Article CD007587. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007587.pub2

Sleep and insomnia

Fu, C. et al. (2017). Acupuncture Improves peri-menopausal insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Sleep, Volume 40, Issue 11.  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsx153

Li, Z. et al. (2023). Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 102(45), e35942. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000035942

Jiang, S. et al (2025). The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture combined with medication in the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in neurology, 16, 1476719. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1476719

Women’s health

Liu, W. et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture and or moxibustion for managing primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Nursing Research, 31(7), 1362–1375. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738221086984

Woo, H. L. et al. (2018). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in women with primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 97(23), e11007. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000011007

Chen, C. et al. (2024). Acupuncture for clinical improvement of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 310(4), 2101–2114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07675-z

Zhao, F. et al. (2021). Acupuncture as an independent or adjuvant management to standard care for perimenopausal depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 666988. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.666988

Su, Y. et al. (2025). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapies in symptomatic endometriosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-025-07979-8

Chen, S. C. et al. (2024). Traditional Chinese medicine interventions based on meridian theory for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1453609. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1453609

Chinese herbal medicine (selected)

Dang, C., Wang, Q., Li, Q., Xiong, Y., & Lu, Y. (2024). Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, Article 1295564. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1295564/full