WCM-Q experts highlight role of acupuncture in pain management

The Institute for Population Health (IPH) at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has published a series of papers evaluating the effectiveness and acceptance of Western medical acupuncture (WMA) for pain management in athletes and its broader role in modern integrative medicine.

WMA is an adaptation of acupuncture derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It encompasses multiple techniques, such as dry needling (DN) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE). Needles are inserted in select acupuncture points (or acupoints) based on anatomy, physiology, pathology, and the principles of evidence-based medicine. The insertions trigger the release of biochemicals, including endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. This makes WMA a promising adjunct to conventional treatments and may help avoid systemic side effects and drug dependence.

In the Middle East and other parts of Asia, acupuncture is also gaining popularity. In Qatar, patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of acupuncture are increasingly favorable, and in 2016, the Council for Healthcare Practitioners approved regulations allowing complementary medicine, including acupuncture, to be available to patients alongside conventional medicine.

In one of the papers, authored by Dr. Karima Chaabna, manager of population health research; Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, professor of population health sciences and vice dean for population health and lifestyle medicine and professor of medicine at the Center for Global Health; Anupama Jithesh, research projects coordinator; WCM-Q alumnus Dr. Jibrail Cheema, Class of 2023; and Jasmine Aboughanem, former project manager, the authors combine a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether WMA techniques reduce musculoskeletal pain in athletic populations. Titled “Western medical acupuncture techniques for pain management in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” it was published in Frontiers in Medicine.

Eligible studies diagnosed pain using conventional medical criteria or validated tools and selected evidence-based acupoints based on peer-reviewed research, conventional anatomy and physiology. Findings suggest that WMA techniques, when used alone or in combination with physiotherapy and/or exercise, may reduce musculoskeletal pain in athletes.

In another systematic review, published in the Journal of Pain Research, titled “Western Medical Acupuncture Perception and Use for Pain Management Among Athletes: A Systematic Review,” the authors examined the use and perception of WMA for pain management among athletes and healthcare providers.

The review included 11 observational studies and clinical trials. Findings suggest that WMA is not only prescribed by sports medicine professionals and used by athletes for diverse musculoskeletal pain but is also generally perceived positively for its effectiveness, with usage patterns varying across countries.

A third paper, an editorial, published in Medical Acupuncture and titled “From Skepticism to Essential: Acupuncture’s Position in Modern Integrative Medicine,” was authored by Dr. Chaabna; Dr. Mamtani; Dr. Sohaila Cheema, associate professor of clinical population health sciences and assistant dean for the IPH; and Dr. Philippe Piccardi, specialist in population health research.

The editorial highlights a global shift from skepticism to recognition, demonstrating that acupuncture is increasingly seen as an essential component of models that combine conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies. This is driven by growing evidence of its effectiveness in treating chronic conditions, such as headaches and musculoskeletal pain, and by increasing interest from both doctors and patients. Beyond its therapeutic benefits, acupuncture also has a well-documented safety profile, with a low risk of adverse effects even in acute conditions. As a noninvasive, cost-effective treatment, it aligns with patient-centered care by providing relief without relying solely on medications, which often come with side effects and long-term costs.

Across the three IPH publications, the evidence suggests that acupuncture should be given serious consideration as a complementary approach in the overall management of musculoskeletal pain in athletes, helping broaden care options for healthcare professionals. It is a call to deepen understanding of acupuncture by expanding the evidence base through additional randomized controlled trials.

The papers can be read in full at the following links:

“Western medical acupuncture techniques for pain management in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis”:
 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1737602/full.

“Western Medical Acupuncture Perception and Use for Pain Management Among Athletes: A Systematic Review”:

https://www.dovepress.com/western-medical-acupuncture-perception-and-use-for-pain-management-amo-pe…

“From Skepticism to Essential: Acupuncture’s Position in Modern Integrative Medicine”: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1177/19336586251383717.