According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is effective for treating 28 conditions,including migraines, arthritis, back and neck pain, and asthma; it has even been shown to help smokers kick their nicotine habit. Research conducted at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that patients undergoing radiation for head and neck cancer who received twice-weekly acupuncture treatments reported significant relief to the debilitating symptoms of xerostomia (severe dry mouth). Acupuncture also has preventative value, promoting overall wellness by reducing stress and improving your emotional outlook. Acupuncture has become an increasingly popular, noninvasive treatment for chronic pain, especially in the lower back. Robert Bonakdar, the director of integrative pain management at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, reports: “The statistics are staggering. One survey of people with low back pain showed that 68 percent rated acupuncture and massage as very helpful. Only one in four of those surveyed said that about seeing their medical doctor.”