Compared to research for the treatment of adults there is less research in children, this is also true for acupuncture research. Despite less research being done, acupuncture is recognised by medical expert groups in some countries. This recognition acknowledges the existing evidence from studies, the fact that acupuncture is very safe in children and well tolerated and that some of the usual medical treatments for some symptoms can be difficult to do on children or lack good evidence.
A recent review on the use of acupuncture in children found that the symptoms most commonly recommended by medical experts around the world for children are:
Pain related: pain management, chronic pain, migraine, headaches, tension headaches, abdominal pain/stomach ache, fibromyalgia, pain following surgery, menstrual pain, back pain
Non-pain related: bedwetting, sleep problems, nausea-vomiting after surgery, anxiety, asthma, constipation, nausea, infant colic, cerebral palsy, allergies
Cancer and palliative care related: cancer pain, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, joint pain from aromatase inhibitor treatment, pain in palliative care, pain after surgery, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, cancer related fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, female hot flashes, dry mouth
For more details on the use of acupuncture in children and how it is recognized in different European countries.