| Areas of application for acupuncture Today, acupuncture is an extensively recognized form of therapy in medicine. Its effectiveness is no longer questioned, not even by its critics. An international commission of experts contracted by the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of symptoms which are recommended for treatment with acupuncture. In total, more than 40 symptoms are covered in the list. The most important are: Allergies Migraines Lumbago Sciatic pain Rheumatic conditions Shoulder-arm syndrome Toothaches Hay fever Chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract Chronic coughing Acute bronchitis Bronchial asthma Headaches associated with the menstrual cycle Female fertility disorders Acupuncture can also be used in combination with other measures to induce labor for gentle birth and for detoxification.