Written by Heather Hanks

Reviewed by Physician Kong Teck Chuan, Physician Brandon Yew, Physician Anita Pee and Dr Jessica Gunawan

Acupuncture Benefits You Need To Know About

Published July 12, 2023| 7 min read

Is acupuncture covered under your insurance plan? If so, you may want to take advantage of that. Here are some acupuncture benefits you should know about.

Acupuncture benefits aren’t just for people seeking alternative medicine treatment.

Did you know that many Western medical offices in America are starting to offer acupuncture as part of their treatment plan? It’s even covered by insurance for many Americans, especially if you are on Medicare.

As a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture can help restore the body to its natural state of healing. You can use it to relieve conditions such as infertility, chronic pain, weight loss, period cramps, and much more.

Read on to learn about some amazing acupuncture benefits that can improve your quality of life – and which acupoints to use.

Top Acupuncture Benefits To Support Health

Acupuncture is one of the best-known TCM therapies. It works by promoting qi and blood flow and is typically used as a complementary therapy for fertility treatments and chronic pain relief.

Treatments last between 20 and 30 minutes. During the procedure, needles as fine as human hair are inserted into specific points on the body. Most people feel nothing more than a slight tingling sensation when they are inserted.

Acupuncture benefits may include the following:

Better brain function

On the top of the head, along the midline of the human body.

You can find this on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger bones.

Taichong (LR3): located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression of the first metatarsal space.

Acupuncture can promote a better flow of blood and qi (vital life force) and improve brain health. A few of the acupoints that are effective include Bai Hui (GV20), He Gu (LI4), and Tai Chong (LR3).

“Bai hui clears the mind and improves brain function. It is one of the main acupoints used in treating stroke patients. He Gu and Tai Chong harmonize the qi and blood as well. They also aid the meridians, allowing them to be clear and flow well.”

TCM Physician Kong Teck Chuan

Enhanced weight loss

There are many acupoints used in acupuncture to rebalance the body, which helps you lose the extra unnecessary weight.

Many studies have shown that acupuncture and other positive lifestyle changes can significantly reduce excess weight.

While the mechanisms are still being studied, many researchers believe one of the ways in which acupuncture works is by optimizing the satiety center in the brain.

It effectively prevents you from overeating, which our present lifestyle sometimes leads us to.

In addition, acupuncture is believed to regulate hormonal levels and improve the body’s metabolism, thus increasing the rate of calorie burning.

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 4 fingers-breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, one finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.

Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 fingers breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, two fingers-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia.

“In terms of the TCM framework, the zu san li (ST36) acupoint, for example, strengthens Spleen qi to dispel Dampness, phlegm, and stagnant fluids to support a healthy weight.”

Senior TCM Physician Brandon Yew

Other acupoints include:

He gu (LI4)
Yin ling quan (SP9)
Feng long (ST40)
Tai chong (LR3)

Relief from period cramps

Taking painkillers and covering the abdomen with a heating pad are the most common methods to reduce discomfort during menstruation. However, for a more natural approach, acupuncture can be ideal.

In acupuncture, stimulating certain points in the body with fine needles helps restore the flow of qi (life force or energy) and bring balance back to the body.

Here are some acupoints that help with period pain:

On the inner lower leg, 4-fingers-breadth above the tip of the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.

On the tibial aspect of the leg, posterior to the medial border of the tibia

Located 4 finger widths above the medial epicondyle of the femur, between vastus medialis and sartorius.

Tai chong (LR3): Helps with period cramps, lower abdominal pain, and breast tenderness
San Yin Jiao (SP6): Helps with the relief of dysmenorrhea
Yin ling quan (SP9): Relieves dysmenorrhea, pain in the genitals, incontinence, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and sluggishness
Di ji (SP8): Helps with symptoms of irregular periods, cramps, and stomach problems like abdominal pain and diarrhea
Yin bao (LR9): Beneficial for period cramps, excessive bleeding, back pain, and disorders of the urinary system
He gu (LI4): Helps with pain throughout the body, such as headaches, which women also experience during their period

Supports fertility

Acupuncture treatment can help improve a woman’s fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus.

It also normalizes the hormones that regulate ovulation, regulating the ovulation cycle in women with PCOS and reducing stress.

In addition, acupuncture could also help to enhance the efficacy of in-vitro fertilization.

Acupuncture is effective in tackling the root pathology that interferes with reproductive functions, causing infertility.

The following acupoints may help with infertility:

In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus.

Zu san li (ST36)
Yin ling quan (SP9)
Feng long (ST40)
San yin jiao (SP6)
Tai xi (KI3)

Other Acupuncture Benefits: Improving Symptoms of Jet Lag

“Jet lag in TCM is understood as the body’s activities not being in sync with the rising and falling of the sun, in other words, the natural yin and yang rhythm of the day”.

TCM Physician Anita Pee

Physician Pee shares some acupoints that can help to relieve jet lag symptoms:

Yintang (EX-HN3): on the forehead, at the midpoint between the two medial ends of the eyebrow.

On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 3-fingers breadth above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.

Located at the medial end of the most distal wrist crease, on the medial aspect of the wrist

Fengchi (GB20): in the depression created between the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius muscles, at the connection of the occipital and nuchal areas.

Located on either side of the neck, just behind the lobe of each ear, behind and slightly above the bony-feeling protuberance of the mastoid process.

Fatigue and poor concentration: Bai hui (GV20) and yin tang (EX-HN3)
Insomnia: Nei guan (P6) and shen men (HT7)
Headaches, neck pain, and insomnia: Feng chi (GB20) and an mian (EX-HN16)
Gastrointestinal discomfort: Zu san li (ST36）

Discover More Acupuncture Benefits By Trying It

Acupuncture works by balancing the body and encouraging healing, which has limitless potential for your general health and well-being.

The best way to tap into all of the potential benefits of acupuncture is by trying it yourself. Most people experience a feeling of calm and relaxation, better mood, reduced pain, and more energy due to heightened qi and blood flow.