Acupuncture is a historic Chinese technique used to palliate certain chronic health conditions and symptoms. It involves penetrating the body’s “acupoints” with thin hair-like needles, which are then stimulated through gentle movements of the acupuncturist’s hand or by supplying small amounts of electric current.
Acupuncture needles, which are usually made of stainless steel, are an integral element of acupuncture treatments. In this blog post, we will take a look at the different acupuncture treatment types and the health conditions they can treat. Also, we will explore the growth factors and recent developments in the Acupuncture needles market.
The market size of the Acupuncture needles market was estimated at USD 251.28 million in 2022, and it is expected to reach USD 372.40 million at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period.
A Quick Primer on Different Acupuncture Types
Practitioners following ancient Chinese principles emphasize directing energy flow (known as “qi”) through the body. Modern practitioners who follow Western medicine use needles to stimulate specific points of the body. Some acupuncture specialists combine the principles of both methods. Traditional Chinese acupuncture, Japanese-style acupuncture, Korean acupuncture, Auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and teishein are some of the most common types and styles of acupuncture.
Why is Acupuncture Done?
Acupuncture is used as a way to relieve pain associated with a variety of long-term health conditions. Some of them include:
- Arthritis
- Back, neck, and muscle pain
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea
- Dental pain
- Headaches
- Labor pain
- Respiratory disorders
- Sports injuries
Growth Drivers
Acupuncture is perceived as a potential treatment for long-term back pain. According to World Health Organization (WHO), 1.71 million people worldwide live with musculoskeletal conditions. Besides, over 80% of people in the US are predicted to experience back pain during their lifetime. Furthermore, the US healthcare system incurs a cost of over USD 50 billion for treating Low Back Pain (LBP).
Acupuncture points, according to Western acupuncture specialists, are specific points to stimulate the connective nerves, muscles, and tissue. And stimulation of these acupuncture points is believed to elevate the natural painkillers in the body. The increase in the number of patients turning to acupuncture to treat back pain conditions is expected to drive the Acupuncture needles market growth.
Recent Developments
According to a 2020 article published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Oncology, acupuncture and acupressure treatments can aid in lowering Chemotherapy-induced pain in cancer patients.
Due to the increasing acupuncture treatments market demand, several local firms have entered the market. For instance, a new acupuncture facility named Ora Acupuncture was established in the US in early 2020.
Leading Region in the Market
The Asia Pacific region, which led the acupuncture needles market in 2022, is anticipated to experience the fastest growth rate during the projected timeframe. It’s forecasted that the presence of developing countries such as India, Japan, and China will boost market development. Further contributing to the rising demand for acupuncture procedures is the rapidly growing practice of health tourism in these countries.
Silver Needle Is Anticipated to Hold a Significant Market Share
By material, silver needles are anticipated to account for a moderate growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the numerous benefits they offer. Silver needles provide patients with quicker and better relief as compared to other materials. Also, as silver is a leading thermally conductive material, silver needles have an efficient thermal impact in warm acupuncture treatments. Owing to their various advantages, people have started showing a keen interest in acupuncture treatments involving silver needles, further boosting the segment’s growth.
Key Takeaways
The rise in chronic conditions has increased the frequency of surgical procedures. Acupuncture is effective in reliving the physical and emotional suffering that patients experience when undergoing surgeries. To conclude, the major driving factors in the acupuncture needles market are the rise in usage of acupuncture procedures for pain management.