Advances in Clinical Research on Acupuncture Treatment for Pain Conditions

Abstract

Pain is one of the most prevalent clinical symptoms and exerts a profound impact on patients' quality of life. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a history spanning millennia, has accumulated extensive clinical experience in pain management. In recent years, the integration of evidence-based medicine and modern medical technologies has propelled significant advancements in clinical research on acupuncture for pain treatment. This paper presents a comprehensive systematic review, summarizing the underlying mechanisms of action, current clinical evidence, and therapeutic advantages of acupuncture across diverse types of pain. Furthermore, it critically examines existing challenges in research and practice, and discusses emerging trends, thereby providing a valuable reference for optimizing clinical applications and guiding future investigations in acupuncture-based pain management.