1. Acupuncture is considered superior to conventional treatments, e.g. chronic pains

2. Conventional treatment failed e.g. back pain, failed back surgery syndrome, Radiculopathies, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis.

3. Conventional treatment alone is not sufficient, acupuncture as used as “add on” e.g. cerebral palsy, after effects of Strokes – hemiplegia (Paralysis of Limbs) – acupuncture hastens speed of recovery, Parkinson’s disease

4. Conditions where Conventional treatment has no effective role, e.g. Motor Neuron disease, cerebral ataxia, Muscular Dystrophies – acupuncture cannot cure but quality of life improves.

    

   A) Diseases of the Muscles, Bones & Joints ( and painful conditions)

         B) Headaches

• Headaches can be due to a multitude of factors; arthritis of the neck, dental problems, sinusitis, stress and tension – all respond.
• Migraine, chronic daily headache (CDH), cluster headaches.

  C) Diseases of the Nervous System
   

• Strokes – hemiplegia (Paralysis of Limbs)
• Bell’s palsy (facial palsy)
• Post polio paralysis, G B syndrome (Guillain-Barre Syndrome)
• The Neuralgias – Trigeminal, post herpetic & non-specific neuralgia
• Polyneuritis
• Nocturnal enuresis ( bed wetting ) , Neurogenic Bladder dysfunction,
• Anxiety, Depression and Other Nervous Disorders.
• Nerve Paralysis e.g. spina bifida, an accident may occur that destroys part of the nervous system, or a disease may be present causing destruction or dysfunction of nervous tissue, injection paralysis – wrist drop
• Other Nervous Diseases
  Parkinson's disease, nerve deafness, and a large variety of other problems.

  D) Muscular Dystrophies
   

• Acupuncture cannot cure but quality of life improves

  E) Diseases of the Digestive System
   

• Indigestion, Non ulcer dyspepsia, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and colitis

• Irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea caused by stress can also be improved by acupuncture
  
  F) Diseases of the Respiratory System
   

• Asthma, Allergic Bronchitis.
  
  G) Allergy
   

• Allergic Rhinitis, Sinusitis
  
  H) Incurable eye conditions like Retinitis pigmentosa (acuity improves)
  
  I) Obstetrics & Gynaecology
   

• Primary dysmenorrhea

• Back pain, pelvic girdle pain due to pregnancy

• Morning sickness

• Foetal Malposition

• Analgesia for Labour and Delivery
  
  J) Addiction and Obesity, Smoking
  
  K) Sexual Disorders
  
  

• Impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, lack of sexual desire, nymphomania, certain types of sterility, and some types of orgasmic dysfunctions, frigidity, oligospermia,

  L) To treat side effects of anticancer therapy and antiretroviral therapy
   

• Nausea , vomiting, chronic fatigue syndrome
  

One should remember that acupuncture is neither panacea for the diseases nor it is alternative to modern medicine. There is nothing like alternative medicine. However a cure depends upon how well the cause of the disease is understood and in consequences to what extent it can be eliminated. Acupuncture should be used were it can give better & long lasting results compare to modern medicine. One should know the limitations of Acupuncture first. Acupuncture will never replace conventional medical treatment.

Indications for acupuncture is like a big ocean, every doctor will choose & develop expertise in particular field to get best results. Acupuncture may also be used in combination with Modern Medicines in variety of conditions, as Acupuncture increases the speed of natural recovery and improves quality of life, i.e. adds life to years. Acupuncture is not routinely indicated in dying patients.

Best of hands achieves 85-90% success rate with acupuncture treatment