Treatment Uses of Acupuncture in Primary Care Medicine Worldwide, acupuncture has found its greatest acceptance and success in the management of musculoskeletal pain. Acute musculo-skeletal pain is among the problems most frequently and effectively treated with acupuncture. This includes soft tissue sprains and strains, muscle spasms and the pain of acute nerve entrapments. Chronic musculo-skeletal pain problems are also commonly and appropriately treated with acupuncture, although not usually as the only approach. In addition to the treatment of pain, acupuncture can be used successfully to address many diagnosable medical conditions.
Acupuncture is generally painless.
If there is any discomfort, it is usually mild. Following insertion, correct stimulus of the acupuncture point may be felt by the patient as a brief heaviness in the area, a slight cramp, distension, or tingling either around the needle or up or down the affected energy pathway. Many times, patients experience sleepiness or find themselves in a very relaxed state during treatment. This is due to acupuncture's documented effects on the central nervous system. That depends upon the duration, severity and nature of each individual's complaint.