Below you will find 2 lists – one from the British Medical Acupuncture Society and one from the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

The British Medical Acupuncture Society

The following is a list of conditions, diagnoses and symptoms for which acupuncture treatment can be used. This list has been adapted with permission. The categories are placed roughly in order of response rate, starting with the highest.

Primary muscle tissue pain
Pain from skeletal muscle, localised tender muscle knots often with wide pain referral pattern, frequently affecting neck, shoulder girdle and hip girdle. This responds very well to direct trigger point needling. It commonly presents as:

• tension headaches
• facial pain
• chest pain
• neck pain without loss of power or reflexes
• shoulder pain
• chronic abdominal pain
• dorsal or low back pain
• sciatica without loss of power or reflexes
• knee pain
• calf and foot pain
• osteoarthritis (especially knee, ankle, shoulder joint & cervical spine)

Functional, recurrent & other disorders

• irritable bladder symptoms (nocturia, frequency & urgency)
• irritable bowel syndrome
• migraines and headaches
• dry eyes
• menstrual & menopausal symptoms (especially hot flushes)
• fertility problems
  

Smoking cessation

Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for smoking cessation. It reduces cravings and anxiety and it promotes relaxation.

Allergies

• Hay fever  
• Allergic rhinitis
• migraines and headaches
• Urticaria (some forms)

Skin
Local treatment can be useful in the treatment of discrete rashes and ulceration Conditions with an allergic component eg some forms of eczema may do well. Acupuncture seems to be effective in the treatment of itch.

Depression
Studies suggest that acupuncture is as effective as antidepressants.

Fibromyalgia
One high quality randomised controlled trial found a specific effect of electro-acupuncture in fibromyalgia.

Nerve pain
Nerve pain may be difficult to treat. Acupuncture may sometimes have a dramatic effect.

• trigeminal neuralgia
• post-laminectomy syndromes
• phantom limb pain
• other neuralgias and neuropathies

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

• Acute and chronic pain control
• Postraumatic and postoperative ileus
• Muscle spasms, tremors, tics, contractures
• Paresthesiae
• Anxiety, fright, panic
• Drug detoxification
• Neuralgias (trigemnial , Herpes Zoster, postherpetic, other)
• Seventh nerve palsy Sequelae of CVA's (aphasia, hemiplegia)
• Certain functional gastro-intestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, esophageal spasm, hyperacidity, irritable bowel, etc.)
• Headache, vertigo (Meniere's), tinnitus
• Phantom pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Cervical and lumbar spine syndromes
• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis/arthrosis
• Bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sprains and contusions
• In fractures, assisting in pain-control, edema, and enhancing healing process Temporo-mandibular joint derangement, bruxism
• Dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain
• Insomnia
• Anorexia
• Atypical chest pain (negative work-up)
• Idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachychardia
• Allergic sinusitis
• Persistent hiccups
• Selected dermatoses (urticaria, pruritus, eczema, psoriasis)
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Urinary incontinence. retention (neurogenic. spastic, adverse drug effect)
• Abdominal distention/flatulence
• Severe hyperthermia
• Cough with contraindications for narcotics