In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has long been used to regulate internal balance, calm inflammatory pathways, and support the skin—often viewed as the “outer expression” of the body’s internal harmony. In TCM theory, eczema may be connected to patterns such as:

• Wind-heat or wind-damp
• Damp-heat accumulation
• Blood dryness
• Underlying deficiency with excess flare-ups

Acupuncture aims to reduce itch, soothe inflammation, and strengthen the body’s regulatory mechanisms. Modern biomedical research suggests overlapping mechanisms such as modulation of the nervous system, immune balancing, and reduction of inflammatory cytokines.

The systematic review summarized clinical trials using acupuncture and related therapies for eczema. Key observations include:

1. Symptom relief

Across several studies, acupuncture and related therapies showed potential benefits in:

• Reducing eczema severity scores
• Lowering itch levels
• Improving sleep quality disrupted by itching

Not every study showed significant improvement, but the overall trend was encouraging.

2. A range of acupuncture-related therapies

The review included manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and acupoint stimulation methods. Several approaches demonstrated promising outcomes, although protocols differed between studies.

3. Safety profile

Reported adverse events were minimal and generally mild. Acupuncture, when performed by a qualified practitioner, appears to have an acceptable safety profile for eczema patients.

4. Quality and limitations

As with many integrative medicine studies, the included trials varied in sample size, control design, and blinding methods. The evidence suggests that acupuncture may help, but more rigorous, standardized research is still needed.

In practice, acupuncture is rarely used alone for eczema. A holistic TCM treatment plan may include:

• Acupuncture and acupressure tailored to your pattern
• Herbal formulas based on TCM differentiation
• Gua sha or cupping when appropriate (avoiding active lesions)
• Lifestyle and stress-regulation guidance
• Dietary advice to reduce internal heat and damp accumulation

Patients often benefit most when acupuncture is combined with internal balancing strategies and careful coordination with dermatologic care.

Individual responses vary, but many people report:

• Less itching and discomfort
• Calmer skin during flare-ups
• Improved sleep quality
• Better stress regulation, which often reduces eczema triggers

For chronic eczema, several sessions are typically needed to evaluate effectiveness. Tracking changes in itch severity, sleep, and flare frequency can help both practitioner and patient understand how treatment is working over time.

Acupuncture is not a stand-alone cure, but it can become a meaningful part of a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.

在傳統中醫理論中，皮膚被視為「內在平衡的外在呈現」。針灸常用來調和臟腑氣血、安定身心與發炎反應，從而支援皮膚狀態。 中醫對異位性濕疹的理解，常與下列證型相關：

• 風熱、風濕夾雜
• 濕熱鬱積於肌表
• 血燥生風、皮膚失養
• 本虛標實：體質偏虛，但發作時呈現明顯癢紅、滲出

針灸的目標，是降低搔癢與發炎，幫助身體恢復較穩定的調節能力。 以現代醫學語言來說，研究推測針灸可能透過調節神經系統、免疫反應與發炎介質（如細胞激素）而產生作用。

這篇系統性回顧整理多篇使用針灸與相關療法治療異位性濕疹的臨床試驗，主要觀察到：

1. 症狀改善的潛力

在多數研究中，接受針灸或相關治療的族群，顯示出：

• 濕疹嚴重度量表分數下降
• 搔癢程度減輕
• 與搔癢相關的睡眠中斷減少

並非所有研究都達到「統計上顯著差異」，但整體趨勢是具「有希望的正向效果」。

2. 多種針灸相關療法

此回顧中包含了手針、電針、穴位刺激等不同介入方式。 雖然每個試驗的取穴與療程設計並不完全一致，但多種方式都呈現一定程度的症狀改善。

3. 安全性概況

報告中的不良反應多為輕微且可逆，例如局部短暫酸脹等。 在合格中醫師或針灸師操作下，針灸對濕疹患者的安全性整體上被視為可接受。

4. 實證品質與限制

如同許多整合醫學領域的研究，試驗之間在樣本數、隨機對照設計與盲法實施上仍存在差異。 目前證據顯示針灸「可能有幫助」，但仍需要更嚴謹、標準化程度更高的研究來進一步確認。

在實際照護中，針灸很少被單獨使用，而是作為整體中醫治療的一部分。例如：

• 依個人體質與證型設計的針灸與穴位按壓
• 內服中藥或調理茶飲，針對濕熱、血燥或體質虛弱做調整
• 在皮膚狀況許可範圍內，謹慎運用刮痧、拔罐以促進循環（避免直接作用於破皮或嚴重發炎部位）
• 生活作息與壓力管理的建議，例如睡眠、運動與放鬆技巧
• 飲食指導，協助減少體內濕熱與過敏性負擔

多數患者在「針灸＋體質調理＋皮膚照護」的整合模式下，較容易找到符合自己步調的照護方式，也能與西醫皮膚科治療互相配合。

每個人的反應不同，但臨床上常見的回饋包括：

• 搔癢感減輕，抓癢次數下降
• 發作時的紅熱感與滲出情形減少或變得較可控
• 夜間睡眠品質改善，較不易被癢感吵醒
• 壓力感降低，對情緒與皮膚發作之間關係有更清楚的覺察

對於慢性、反覆性的異位性濕疹，通常需要一段時間的療程來評估效果。 透過記錄皮膚狀態照片、搔癢程度與睡眠情形，能幫助醫師與患者一起觀察治療過程中的變化。

針灸並非「單一神奇療法」，而是可融入您原有治療計畫中的一個溫和選項，強調個別化、循序漸進的調整。