Acupuncture for Skin Conditions

Acupuncture for Skin Conditions.

The skin is the body's largest organ and acts as a barrier to the external environment. Many skin conditions are related to the body's immune and digestive systems.

Common, persistent skin conditions requiring medical treatment include eczema and dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. Acute skin conditions include shingles (herpes zoster), itching and hives (urticaria).

What is our clinical experience?

Based on feedback collected from over 1,101 initial appointments for Skin Symptoms, 84% of our patients reported improved quality of life after their first 5 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.

Initial
Consults
1,101
Average
Appointments
5
Improved
Quality of Life
84%
Refer Family &
Friends
86%

What does the research say?

The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for skin conditions.

Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.

Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.

When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.

Scientific References

Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for skin conditions.

It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.



Applied Sciences

2023, Nov 29

Honey Therapy in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Promising Strategy for Effective Wound Healing
Applied Sciences

Honey is a cost-effective and safe option for managing DFUs, as it promotes accelerated wound healing and reduces amputation rates.

Bezerra A, Fonseca H, Rodrigues F, Delerue-Matos C, Gouvinhas I, Garcia J Full Article

Frontiers in Pharmacology

2022, Sep 27

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis: Evidence from eight high-quality randomized placebo-controlled trials
Frontiers in Pharmacology

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) improved the size and severity of the skin lesions and sleep quality in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Comparing the adverse effects between the two groups, CHM is safe. However, CHM does not improve the quality of life or the patient’s IgE levels.

Cai X, Sun X, Liu L, Zhou Y, Hong S, Wang J, Chen J, Zhang M, Wang C, Lin N, Li S, Xu R, Li X Full Article

Dermatologic Therapy

2022, Oct 03

Longdan Xiegan formula as adjuvant therapy for acute herpes zoster: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Dermatologic Therapy

Longdan Xiegan (LDXG) formula as adjuvant therapy may achieve additional benefits in terms of accelerating skin healing process, relieving pain symptoms, and preventing persistent pain in acute herpes zoster patients.

Zhang L, Duan A, Li Y, Feng J Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2022, Feb 18

Traditional Chinese Medicine for HIV-Associated Acute Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture demonstrate more benefits than drugs in pain relief, cure rate improvement, and incidence reduction of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Jiang Y, Zheng RX, Yu ZY, Zhang XW, Li J, Lan HD, Qiao SY, Han M, Cao HJ, Robinson N, Liu JP Full Article

Medicine

2022, Sep 09

Efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture in the treatment of chronic urticaria: A meta-analysis
Medicine

Our research results found that traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture has a more significant effect than conventional Western medicine and can significantly reduce the recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse reactions.

Lu Z, Zhou Q, Chai S, Yang H, Wang J, Luo H, Cao Y, Tao M Full Article

Complementary Medicine Research

2021, Oct

Efficacy of Acupuncture for Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Complementary Medicine Research

Acupuncture is associated with reduced pain intensity, promoted skin lesion healing, and decreased PHN incidence in patients with herpes zoster (HZ). Results showed that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for patients with HZ. Nevertheless, this finding should be validated by conducting high-quality trials with larger sample size.

Cui Y, Wang F, Li H, Zhang X, Zhao X, Wang D Full Article

Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports

2021, May 21

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine longdanxiegan decoction combined with val-acyclovir in herpes zoster: A systematic review and mate-analysis
Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports

Our systematic evaluation provides evidence for the clinical effectiveness and safety of Longdanxiegan Decoction (LDXGD) combined with valacyclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster.

Wang X, , Wu L, Hou Y, Ding S, Wang S, Zhang Y, Zhang G, , , , , , Full Article

Annals of Palliative Medicine

2021, Oct

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for psoriasis: an overview of systematic reviews
Annals of Palliative Medicine

Our overview suggests that acupuncture could be used as a complementary therapy to produce effective clinical result for psoriasis.

Jing M, Shi L, Zhang Y, Zhu M, Yuan F, Zhu B, Chen M, Ge X Full Article

Journal of Integrative Medicine

2020, Jul

Cupping therapy for patients with chronic urticaria: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Integrative Medicine

Cupping therapy, when used in combination with antihistamine treatment or acupuncture, was found to be more effective in reducing symptoms and recurrence rates of CU compared to antihistamines alone or acupuncture alone. Wet cupping was also found to be as effective as treatment with antihistamines. However, the poor quality of the reviewed studies calls for caution in interpreting the results and applying them to clinical practice.

Xiao, X., Zhang, L., Shi, Y., Yao, J., Cao, W., Liu, Y., Zou, Z., Zhou, S., Chen, M., Li, C., Zheng, Q., & Li, Y. Full Article

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

2020, Sep 02

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Allergic Diseases
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

It is recommended that acupuncture be integrated into the therapy of allergic rhinitis and asthma, and that CHM be used as an adjunct in the treatment of allergic diseases on an individual basis.

Chan HHL, Ng T Full Article

Medicine

2020, Oct 09

Moving cupping therapy for plaque psoriasis
Medicine

Moving cupping therapy could be an effective treatment either alone or as a combination therapy for plaque psoriasis.

Xing M, Ding X, Zhang J, Kuai L, Ru Y, Sun X, Ma T, Miao X, Liu L, Wang Y, Li B, Li X Full Article

Journal of Dermatological Treatment

2020, Jul 09

Evidence and potential mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Dermatological Treatment

Overall, the findings we described above indicated that TCM had a good application prospect in the remedy of psoriasis.

Dai D, Wu H, He C, Wang X, Luo Y, Song P Full Article

Acupuncture in Medicine

2019, Sep 09

The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with atopic eczema: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society

Acupuncture is effective in reducing itch intensity and may be more beneficial than conventional medicine at reducing eczema symptoms. This study assessed the effectiveness and showed positive results from randomised controlled trials.

Jiao R, Yang Z, Wang Y, Zhou J, Zeng Y, Liu Z Full Article

Journal of Pain Research

2019, Jul 16

Is acupuncture an effective postherpetic neuralgia treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Pain Research American Society of Pain & Neuroscience

Acupuncture may reduce pain intensity, relieve anxiety and improve quality of life in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Further randomised trials with larger sample sizes and of higher methodological quality are needed to confirm these results.

Pei, W., Zeng, J., Lu, L., Lin, G., & Ruan, J. Full Article

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

2018, Mar 4

Acupuncture improves symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: A randomized, sham-controlled preliminary trial
Complementary Therapies in Medicine

This randomised controlled trial showed positive effects of acupuncture with improvement of sleep quality, prevention of itching and general quality of life for atopic dermatitis patient.

Smith CA, Armour M, Lee MS, Wang LQ, Hay PJ Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2018, Mar 12

Acupuncture for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

While caution should be exercised due to quality of the included studies, acupuncture and auricular acupressure were not statistically different to guideline recommended treatments but were with fewer side effects and may be a treatment option. Future trials should address the methodological weaknesses and meet standard reporting requirements stipulated in STRICTA.

Mansu SSY, Liang H, Parker S, Coyle ME, Wang K, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CCL Full Article

Medicine

2018, Aug

Acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Medicine

There was not enough evidence to suggest that acupuncture was superior to pharmacologic therapy in improving global impression or life quality.

Wang, Yang., Li, Wang., Peng, Weina., Zhou, Jing., Liu, Zhishun Full Article

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

2017, Dec 1

Acupuncture-related techniques for psoriasis: a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Society for Acupuncture Research

This randomized controlled trials showed positive effects of acupuncture for treating psoriasis. Further acu-pressure points were encouraged to relieve inflammation on localised area.

Yeh, M. L., Ko, S. H., Wang, M. H., Chi, C. C., & Chung, Y. C. Full Article

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

2016, Dec

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Atopic Dermatitis: An Evidence-Based Review
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

Careful review of the literature reveals several promising therapies in this domain; such findings may help direct further research that is necessary to bolster clinical recommendations for alternative or complementary treatments of AD.

Vieira BL, Lim NR, Lohman ME, Lio PA. Full Article

BioMed Research International

2016, Jan

The Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Patients with Chronic Urticaria: A Systematic Review
BioMed Research International

Acupuncture might be effective and safe for chronic urticaria in relieving symptoms, based on a low level of evidence.

Yao Q, Li S, Liu X, Qin Z, Liu Z Full Article

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

2015, Sep

Acupuncture as a treatment modality in dermatology: a systematic review
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute

The study indicated that acupuncture had statistically significant in treatment of dermatitis, chloasma, pruritus, urticaria, hyperhidrosis, and facial elasticity. Acupuncture was also more effective compared to other alternative therapies.

Ma, C., & Sivamani, R. K. Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2015, Apr 30

Efficacy of Acupuncture in Itch: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Randomized Controlled Trials
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This systematic review and detailed meta-analysis highlights the efficacy of acupuncture in effectiveness for ameliorating itch intensity in itch-related diseases.

Chi Yu, Pei Zhang, Zheng-Tao Lv, Jing-Jing Li, Hong-Ping Li, Cai-Hua Wu, Fang Gao, Xiao-Cui Yuan, Jing Zhang, Wei He, Xiang-Hong Jing, Man Li, Full Article

Complementary Medicine Research

2015, Jan

Acupuncture Therapies for Psoriasis Vulgaris: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Complementary Medicine Research

The results of this review suggest that evidence of acupuncture and related therapies for psoriasis vulgaris is promising. The results showed some benefit in improving Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score and decreasing relapse rate. Acupuncture and related therapies also appear to be a safe treatment option for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris, with no adverse events reported. However, the conclusions are limited by the small-sized trials and conflicting results from single studies. More research is needed to clarify the effect of acupuncture therapies for psoriasis vulgaris.

Coyle M, Deng J, Zhang AL, Yu J, Guo X, Xue CC, Lu C Full Article


Yin Tang
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE