Many practitioners say that acupuncture can help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. What does the research say?
Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting thin needles into the skin. People have used it as a complementary treatment for thousands of years.
Some studies have suggested that acupuncture can help with pain relief, stress management, immune system response, and inflammation. However, researchers need to conduct more large-scale, double-blind studies before they can prove this.
Scientists have also studied the effects of acupuncture on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Although they have not yet confirmed its alleged benefits, receiving acupuncture from a licensed and qualified provider has very few risks, so it may be worth a try for people who have psoriasis or PsA.
In this article, we review the evidence around acupuncture for psoriasis, what the procedure involves, and possible risks.
Acupuncture and psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes red or purple scaly patches on the skin that may peel, itch, and bleed. How the patches specifically look on your skin depends on your skin tone.
PsA, which affects some people who have psoriasis, can cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Traditional treatments for these conditions include:
- taking medications to calm the immune system reaction
- using skin creams to help manage the peeling and scale buildup
- taking prescription anti-inflammatory medications
- receiving steroid injections
- avoiding triggers, such as stress or alcohol
Acupuncture could also be a helpful treatment for psoriasis. Some research has suggested that acupuncture may be worth considering.
- Results from a 2017 overview of the literature on acupuncture for psoriasis suggest that acupuncture treatment for psoriasis is “simple, convenient, and effective,” with minimal side effects and little risk of toxicity.
- Researchers leading a 2017 review of 13 randomized trials state that acupuncture-related treatments “could be considered” as an alternative therapy for the short-term treatment of psoriasis and that more well-designed studies would be helpful.
- More recently, a 2021 systematic review indicated that acupuncture could be used as a complementary therapy to produce “effective clinical result for psoriasis.” However, its authors explain that larger, better-quality studies are needed to form definite conclusions about its efficacy.
Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, is a trigger for psoriasis flares. However, acupuncture needles are very thin, sterile, and single-use, so they should typically cause little to no injury to the skin.
Acupuncture and joint pain
Although evidence for acupuncture as a treatment for PsA specifically is lacking, many studies have shown that acupuncture works well in relieving other types of joint pain.
- A small 2018 study found that acupuncture reduced joint pain in postmenopausal women who were undergoing treatment for early stage breast cancer.
- A small 2019 study showed that acupuncture had some benefit for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the hand. The treatment helped reduce pain and improve hand strength.
- A 2018 review of acupuncture treatment for RA indicated that acupuncture alone or combined with other treatments is “worth trying.” The authors explain that acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, and that it helps regulate immune system function. These three factors are important in treating PsA.
Acupuncture and anxiety
Both psoriasis and PsA can cause stress and anxiety due to pain, itching, swelling, the skin’s appearance, and other factors.
Acupuncture may be one way to help treat that anxiety and improve quality of life for people with psoriasis and PsA.
Evidence suggests that acupuncture can help with anxiety symptoms, which could be beneficial for people with psoriasis and PsA.
- A very small 2018 study found that ear acupuncture was effective in reducing exam-related stress in college students.
- A 2017 review indicated that acupuncture was helpful in relieving anxiety in women with infertility.
- A 2021 systematic review concluded that acupuncture therapy aimed at reducing anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has “certain beneficial effects” compared to controls.
Although these studies do not prove that acupuncture can help with psoriasis or PsA-related anxiety specifically, the anxiety-relieving effects of acupuncture could be helpful for people living with these conditions.
Procedure
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)Trusted Source practice that involves placing tiny needles in the skin.
The needles stimulate acupuncture points on the body. They are thinner than those that healthcare professionals use to draw blood or give injections, as they only enter the surface of the skin.
Acupuncturists generally believe that stimulating certain points of the body helps its energy, or qi, flow freely. In turn, this can help treat or prevent certain health conditions.
During an acupuncture appointment, a person may need to remove some of their clothing so that the acupuncturist can access certain parts of the body, such as the abdomen, ankles, neck, back, or wrists.
Usually, the person lies down on a bed and uses a sheet or blanket to cover up and keep warm.
The acupuncturist may or may not use an alcohol wipe to clean the areas that they intend to stimulate. Then, they lightly tap the needles into the specified points on the body. In some cases, the acupuncturist may use heat or electrical stimulation on the needles to enhance their effect.
At this point, the acupuncturist may leave the person alone to rest while the needles stay in the skin. Some practitioners use soft music, heat lamps, or other comfort measures during this time.
After several minutes, the practitioner will return to the room, remove the needles, and dispose of them in a sharps container.
It is important to note that acupuncture may not be a quick fix. It may require several visits before a person sees results.
For example, researchers involved in a 2018 case report found that a woman underwent acupuncture once per week for 13 weeks and only then experienced an improvement in her psoriasis symptoms.
Another case report published in 2017 showed a similar outcome, with people reporting improvements in their psoriasis symptoms after 14 weeks of the treatment. This case report involved using ear acupuncture.
Risks
When a person receives acupuncture from a licensed provider, risks are very low, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)Trusted Source.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices. This means that only licensed providers should use them, always ensuring that they are sterile, nontoxic, and have only one use before disposal.
However, if a person receives acupuncture from an unlicensed or nonqualified provider, or if the needles are not sterile and single-use, there are risks of infection, injury, and serious effects such as punctured organs.
Before receiving acupuncture, it is important that a person check that the provider is licensed or certified and is educated in TCM and acupuncture. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine lists board certified acupuncture providers on their website.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about acupuncture for psoriasis.
What is the most successful treatment for psoriasis?
According to a 2024 study, the best medications for psoriasis are biologic drugs such as infliximab, bimekizumab, ixekizumab, and risankizumab.
Similarly, researchers conducting a 2023 review also concluded that biologic medications are the most effective treatment for reducing symptoms in people with moderate to severe psoriasis.
What pressure point is used for psoriasis?
The pressure points used for psoriasis depend on a person’s symptoms.
However, research indicates Governing Vessel 14 (Dazhui) and Stomach 36 (Zusanli) are the two pressure points commonly used for psoriasis. The former is located at the center of the base of a person’s neck, while the latter is located below a person’s knee, slightly off-center.
What clears psoriasis fast?
According to a 2018 study, a drug called Brodalumab may have the most rapid onset of action of any biologic therapy used to treat psoriasis. It took only 2.1 weeks for 25% of patients to achieve symptom improvement.
Summary
People who have psoriasis or PsA may find that an alternative treatment, such as acupuncture, can help them keep their condition well managed.
Acupuncture can also help relieve stress, which could help prevent some psoriasis flares.
It is recommended that people who have psoriasis and PsA still see a medical practitioner regularly. This can help ensure that their condition remains well managed.
During their visits with a healthcare professional, it is important that they tell them about acupuncture and any other complementary treatments they are trying.
