Acupuncture and the Gut Microbiome

I wrote my undergraduate thesis on whether acupuncture had an influence on the gut microbiome. At the time there were only 3 good quality randomised controlled trials. The trials examined Crohns, Obesity and Parkinson’s. They all showed similar, positive results.

To summarise briefly, acupuncture did not increase microbiome diversity (it didn’t encourage new strains/types of bacteria) but it did modulate levels of gut bacteria in a positive manner. To summarise crudely, all three conditions were associated with increasing numbers of so-called ‘bad’ bacteria which correlated with disease progression. Acupuncture reduced the number of ‘bad’ bacteria and increased the number of ‘good’ bacteria.

In clinic, my most common patient group is mental health professionals who have gut issues. Across the trials, there were a number of acupuncture points that all 3 trials shared, which suggests that these particular points have efficacy with regards to the microbiome. I often use these particular points when treating in clinic, but with some other points alongside so that treatment is tailored to the individual.

If you would like to read a copy of my thesis, please email me and I will send you a copy. An excerpt from the conclusion is below.

5.1 Acupuncture influences bacterial composition and likely modulates composition

This critical review finds that there is insufficient evidence that acupuncture influences diversity within the

human gut microbiome. The RCTs reviewed are best described as preliminary studies with limited sample

sizes. Despite this, they have good external validity because the results of the studies concur with each

other. The RCTs provide decent evidence that acupuncture influences bacterial composition within the

microbiome. In addition, they also suggest that acupuncture likely has a modulating effect on bacterial

composition, elevating levels that are typically reduced and reducing levels of bacteria that are typically

elevated within the conditions studied. To have a strong degree of confidence that acupuncture influences

composition, more trials with larger sample sizes, in a variety of populations, focused on a wide range of

conditions are needed.