Acupuncture for ADHD: Benefits, Limitations, & What to Expect

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate and target specific points in the skin. The origin of acupuncture is in the philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism. The historic underlying principle behind acupuncture is to help Qi energy flow through the body more freely. Presently, healthcare professionals seek to find “trigger points” that will help alleviate pain in certain areas of the body.¹

How Can Acupuncture Help With ADHD?

There are potential benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as increased focus and reduced stress. Many researchers are motivated to seek non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD in order to provide people who struggle with ADHD a wider variety of options for treatment outside of those involving medication. Some researchers have theorized, for example, that acupuncture for ADHD may help calm the body and improve attentional issues in those living with this disorder.²

Here are some potential benefits of acupuncture for ADHD:

• Decreased insomnia: There is some evidence to support the usefulness of acupuncture in decreasing insomnia.³ People living with ADHD often struggle with chronic sleep difficulties. It may be helpful to consider the role of acupuncture in decreasing symptoms associated with ADHD and insomnia.
• Increased focus: Acupuncture may help someone with ADHD focus. Acupuncture can help the body to relax and decrease stress which can generally improve focus in most humans.⁸
• Lower levels of stress: Decreasing general stress levels is helpful for many mental health disorders, including ADHD.

Acupuncture for Children With ADHD

Research indicates that more information may be needed to draw conclusions about the usefulness of acupuncture as a safe and efficacious treatment for children with ADHD.⁵ Many studies conducted on adults and children with ADHD appear to suggest the need for further research in order to draw conclusions about the specific benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of ADHD in general. At this time, it seems more likely that acupuncture offers benefits to those with ADHD through third variable means, such as decreasing stress and physical pain rather than having a direct benefit related to symptom relief.

Can Acupuncture Effectively Treat ADHD?

Generally, research indicates little data to support the direct benefit of acupuncture in directly alleviating symptoms of ADHD. However, it seems acupuncture can offer general health and wellbeing benefits that would likely alleviate the distress associated with many mental health disorders. These current conclusions would indicate that acupuncture would be more helpful as an auxiliary, rather than primary treatment for ADHD symptoms.

How Fast Does Acupuncture Work for ADHD?

Generally speaking, research indicates immediate and long-term benefits of acupuncture from observing benefits immediately after treatment to six months-one year post treatment.⁹ Like most treatments, it is important to allot some time to assess potential long-term health benefits. Conversely, if someone tries acupuncture in the hopes of alleviating distress associated with ADHD and the treatment does not appear to be beneficial or appropriate, then it may be advisable to allocate resources to other methods of treatments which have more empirical support in the direct treatment of ADHD.

Are There Specific Types Of ADHD That Respond Better To Acupuncture?

There are three primary types of ADHD:  Inattentive ADHD, hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, and combined ADHD. Some research has hypothesized that inattentive ADHD may be more successfully treated with acupuncture, though results did not appear to strongly support this hypothesis. Some previously mentioned research also suggested that conclusions around the treatment of other types of ADHD also lacked strong empirical support.

How Long Do the Benefits of Acupuncture for ADHD Last?

Research has found that the benefits of acupuncture can last up to one year in some cases. As with any treatment, there are likely extreme outliers in terms of treatment benefit being shorter or longer. If acupuncture appears to be providing general health benefits, it may be helpful in continuing treatment on a regular basis in order to optimize results.

Can You Use Acupuncture as a Solo Treatment?

Rather than being used as a solo treatment for ADHD, acupuncture may be used as part of a larger healthy lifestyle for ADHD. It seems that the general health benefits of acupuncture are more strongly supported in research than observing this particular method as a means of alleviating symptoms of ADHD directly. Despite this indirect relationship, considering methods for improving overall health and well-being is a very important component in treating most mental health disorders, including ADHD.

Criticism & Limitations of Acupuncture for ADHD

As previously mentioned, there is a lack of strong empirical evidence supporting acupuncture as a primary and direct treatment of ADHD. This does not mean that acupuncture can’t be part of a “toolbox” of methods for improving overall well-being and health for those living with ADHD. Massage, regular exercise and sleep hygiene are other important habits that will likely alleviate stress which can exacerbate symptoms associated with many mental health disorders.

Acupuncture Treatment Process

To make an appointment for acupuncture, find someone in your area who is qualified to provide this treatment. Make sure to look over reviews and credentials before booking an appointment. This part of the process is important when seeking any kind of professional healthcare. General practice around acupuncture appointments seems to include a gathering of symptoms and information conversation prior to starting the appointment. The bulk of an acupuncture appointment seems to involve having someone lie on a padded table while a professional inserts needles into specific trigger points. The client will then lie on the table for a predetermined amount of time while the treatment takes effect.

Acupuncture treatment involves:

• Doing research ahead of time to find a qualified professional
• Making an appointment
• Asking your insurance if they will cover the appointment
• Going to the appointment
• Enjoying the benefits

Consultation & Assessment

Acupuncturists typically assess an individual’s condition and tailor the treatment plan to address specific concerns a client might have. If someone is seeking acupuncture related to ADHD specifically, it will be important to inform the acupuncturist of this fact prior to the appointment so they can apply their knowledge to tailor treatment interventions accordingly. Professional acupuncturists will likely have the most accurate information and knowledge pertaining to how this treatment can benefit specific symptoms.

Needle Insertion & Treatment

Acupuncture involves the process of inserting fine needles into acupuncture points. Sensations of pressure or ache may be experienced during the session. Any potential discomfort will likely be addressed by an acupuncturist prior to the beginning of the session.

Frequency & Duration

Frequency and duration of acupuncture appointments will likely be addressed prior to the session by an acupuncturist. It seems that sessions may take up to 60 minutes, though shorter sessions are likely available. It seems that typically, two sessions per week is often advised, though this likely varies case by case and depends on an individual’s access to financial resources in order to pay for sessions.

Safety & Considerations of Acupuncture for ADHD

According to research, dizziness or headaches can be common adverse side effects of acupuncture.⁷ Despite this, serious side effects to acupuncture treatment have been found to be uncommon.⁸ Addressing safety concerns and individual considerations is an important part of integrating any new treatment into a healthcare plan.

Potential side effects of acupuncture include:

• Dizziness
• Anxiety about needles
• Headache
• Nausea

Who May Not Be A Good Fit for Acupuncture Treatment?

If acupuncture seems like an interesting avenue for general healthcare treatment, then it would likely be helpful to give it a try. The health benefits for those with chronic pain and migraine especially seems to indicate this would be an efficacious treatment. If someone is afraid of needles or if access to this treatment is not readily available, it may not be an ideal path to pursue.

Individuals who would not be a good fit for acupuncture  include:

• Those with needle anxiety
• Individuals experiencing financial stress
• Those with lack of access to transportation
• Someone who does not have time or capacity to add additional things to their schedule

How to Find an Acupuncture for ADHD Practitioner

Individuals looking for an acupuncturist might start by doing a local Google search to find providers in your area. Since this is a treatment that requires in-person participation, it is important to assess barriers to transportation ahead of time. It is also important to research the credentials and possible reviews of a particular clinic or provider prior to booking an initial appointment.

Cost of Acupuncture

It seems acupuncture often costs above $100 for a single session. It seems some insurance plans will cover the cost or some of the cost of treatment if it is recommended by a medical doctor. If seeking support around cost for acupuncture, it may be helpful to consult with a medical professional you already have an established relationship with ahead of time in order to see if getting a script for this treatment is possible.

Integrating Acupuncture With Conventional ADHD Treatment

As previously stated, acupuncture can be integrated into an overall treatment plan for ADHD. It is always important to have open communication with healthcare providers and assess if this is an appropriate treatment to add to an existing treatment plan. Individual factors and considerations should be taken into account prior to scheduling an initial appointment.

Acupuncture can be an addition to the following treatment options:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for ADHD targets specific thoughts and behaviors that contribute to symptoms.
• Medications: There are common medications for ADHD which can target parts and functions of the brain associated with symptoms. These medications include stimulant and nonstimulant medication.
• Music therapy: It is possible music therapy for ADHD can be a useful way to alleviate symptoms for those who are an appropriate referral for this particular treatment method.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT for ADHD has been found to be helpful for people who struggle with emotion regulation. If this is a particular aspect of a symptom cluster for someone living with ADHD, this may be a helpful avenue for treatment.
• Compassion-focused therapy: Individuals living with ADHD are often hard on themselves and often report feeling like failures. Compassion-focused therapy treatment which centers on self-compassion can be helpful in order to decrease distress related to these negative self-perceptions.
• Interpersonal Therapy: Relationally-based therapies like interpersonal therapy can also be helpful for those living with ADHD who might struggle to find people who understand them and connect with them on a deeper level.

When to Seek Professional Support

If symptoms associated with ADHD are causing chronic problems in important areas of life such as at home, at work or in relationships, it may be helpful to find a neurodiverse-affirming therapist. An online therapist directory or online therapy platform can be helpful. Furthermore, online psychiatrist options are a good choice for those seeking ADHD medication management.