Is acupuncture an effective treatment for ADHD?

Share on Pinterest

People use acupuncture to treat a number of conditions, most commonly chronic back, joint, or neck pain. Health experts generally consider the technique safe when qualified practitioners carry it out and that it can also be effective in reducing pain.

ADHD is a common developmental condition. People with it typically have difficulty being attentive or focusing on a task. They may also be impulsive or become distracted easily.

Although doctors usually diagnose people with ADHD in childhood, it may often last into adulthood. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), approximately 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults in the United States have ADHD.

There is currently no cure for ADHD. However, several treatments may reduce a person’s symptoms and improve their functioning. Current treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and training.

Additionally, several scientific journals have investigated whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for ADHD. They have found that it might help with symptoms of the condition. However, scientists do not yet know for sure whether it is effective or how well it can help.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is insufficient evidence to say conclusively that acupuncture is effective in treating ADHD symptoms in children or adolescents.

Research into acupuncture’s effects on ADHD is ongoing. A 2023 overview states that although the technique might improve ADHD symptoms, larger studies with higher-quality data and methods are necessary to draw more robust conclusions.

Acupuncture may work for children with ADHD, though there is insufficient evidence to say for sure.

A 2023 meta-analysis of 14 studies found that there is not yet enough evidence to conclusively say that acupuncture can effectively treat ADHD. However, it may show several promising effects on ADHD symptoms. The authors of the meta-analysis recommended future rigorous studies into acupuncture’s effects on the condition.

Acupuncture points are specific points on a person’s body where practitioners insert needles. They choose specific points to place the needles according to the condition or body part they aim to treat.

There appears to be no standard set of acupuncture points for ADHD. However, the above 2023 review identified the most common points:

• DU20 (Baihui)
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
• EM1 or extra point (Sishencong)
• EM2 or extra point (Yintang)
• LV3 (Taichong)
• DU24 (Shenting)
• HT7 (Shenmen)
• PC6 (Neiguan)
• KI3 (Taixi)
• LI4 (Hegu)

According to a 2020 article, TCM tends toward classifying ADHD as part of typical human behavior. In TCM, any imbalance in a person’s life force, or qi, can cause disease and illness.

TCM regards ADHD as an expression of a “Heart–Mind (Xin) imbalance” rather than a condition or disease. It attributes ADHD symptoms as factors of:

• excess heat or wind in a person’s head
• liver qi stagnation
• possible complications from dampness, which may stem from issues in a person’s spleen and kidneys

TCM treatments aim to restore balance in a person’s life force to treat conditions such as ADHD.

According to the above 2023 review, practitioners use acupuncture extensively to reduce symptoms in people with ADHD.

There does not appear to be any reliable data on exactly how common the technique is for ADHD in the United States. The NCCIH states that many adults and children use complementary health approaches for ADHD, including acupuncture. It is also a popular treatment for children with ADHD in Asian countries.

According to the NCCIH, experts generally consider acupuncture safe. However, only practitioners with the necessary experience and training should perform it, and they should only use sterile needles. Improperly performing acupuncture can cause serious side effects.

Local side effects can occur during acupuncture, including irritation, infection, and bleeding. These effects normally typically resolve soon after the practitioner removes the acupuncture needles.

The following are answers to common questions about acupuncture and ADHD.

What therapies work best for ADHD?

Healthcare professionals can typically help treat a person’s ADHD with medication or therapy. A combination of both is often the best treatment option.

Is ADHD inherited from the mother or father?

Scientists do not yet understand what causes ADHD and believe several factors may cause a person to develop it. However, research suggests that having a biological parent with ADHD increases a person’s likelihood of also having it.

Acupuncture is a treatment where practitioners insert small needles into specific points around a person’s body. It may help with the symptoms of ADHD.

There is no conclusive scientific evidence yet to prove that this technique is an effective treatment for ADHD. However, scientists continue to investigate it as a method to improve ADHD symptoms.

Experts generally consider acupuncture a safe treatment if a qualified and experienced practitioner performs it. Many people use acupuncture to treat a wide variety of conditions.