Can appendicitis be cured with acupuncture?
Dec 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, acupuncture can be used as an adjunctive treatment for appendicitis, but it is difficult to completely cure the condition with acupuncture alone, especially in cases of acute appendicitis, which require standard medical treatment as the first priority. When symptoms related to appendicitis occur, it is essential to first determine the severity of the condition before deciding whether acupuncture may be suitable as an auxiliary therapy. Maintaining regular eating habits and avoiding overeating are also important in daily life.
Generally, acupuncture can be used as an adjunctive treatment for appendicitis. However, it is difficult to completely cure appendicitis with acupuncture alone, especially in cases of acute appendicitis, where standardized medical treatments should take priority. The specific analysis is as follows:
Acupuncture helps unblock meridians, regulate qi flow, and relieve pain. For patients with mild simple appendicitis or those in the postoperative recovery phase, stimulating relevant acupuncture points may alleviate discomfort such as abdominal pain and bloating, improve local blood circulation, and assist in reducing inflammation. However, acupuncture cannot fundamentally eliminate the inflammatory infection of the appendix and cannot replace essential treatments such as anti-infective therapy or surgery.
In cases of acute suppurative or gangrenous appendicitis, or when complications such as appendiceal perforation have already occurred, acupuncture is not only ineffective but may also delay proper treatment, leading to serious complications like peritonitis. These conditions require immediate medical attention, including antibiotic treatment or surgical removal of the appendix, to ensure patient safety.
When symptoms related to appendicitis occur, it is essential to first assess the severity of the condition before determining whether acupuncture may be appropriate as an adjunctive therapy. In daily life, maintaining regular eating habits, avoiding overeating, and reducing intake of spicy and irritating foods can help lower the risk of developing appendicitis.
