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Acupuncture is a traditional healing practice in China and has started to gain traction all over the world, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
More people search for alternative treatment, and acupuncture is becoming one of the most popular therapies due to its benefits and effectiveness.
In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore the key aspects of acupuncture, insights on informed decisions about this treatment, and trends in the acupuncture market.
What is acupuncture used for?
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Acupuncture uses thin needles that are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points. The ancient treatment evolved over thousands of years to help prevent and treat illnesses.
It is believed that the body’s vital energy, which is called “qi,” flows along specific channels or meridians. Acupuncturists said the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points. Once the qi is balanced, the person has spiritual, emotional, and physical health, but if the qi isn’t in balance, disease may occur.
Acupuncture can also treat chronic musculoskeletal, headache, and osteoarthritis pain. It can also address anxiety disorders and digestive issues, promote fertility and reproductive health, and improve sleep quality.
What are the pros and cons of acupuncture?
Pros
Acupuncture is safe and non-invasive as long as it is performed by a licensed and trained acupuncturist.
Another benefit is the ability to address the physical, emotional, and mental problems of a person.
It is also believed to have long-term effects and offer permanent benefits, likely for milder symptoms. Acupuncture clinics report that their patients feel improvement that can last for months to a year.
Cons
Like many treatments, acupuncture has its downsides. For example, acupuncture effectiveness can vary depending on the skill and experience of the practitioner. When getting treated, make sure to choose a qualified and licensed professional.
It’s also expensive and may cost US$100 or more per session if you avail it without insurance. And insurance coverage for acupuncture is not always ideal, as some insurers impose strict limits.
Some people may also still feel uncomfortable, even if acupuncture needles are extremely thin and well-tolerated.
What needles are used in acupuncture?
Commonly used needles for traditional medicine are stainless steel, with sizes from 26 to 40 gauge and lengths from 0.5 inch to 2.5 inches. This small size allows to do a painless procedure.
The acupuncture needle tip is blunt, even though it is very tiny. Compared with the tip of a regular needle in the same gauge number, the tip of an acupuncture needle has less chance of cutting the tissue.
Jiajian needle and Seirin J-Type needle are some of the most popular brands used in acupuncture.
At GulfPhysio, Jiajian needle is sold in sets of 100, with each needle and its accompanying guide tube. It is unique from other vendors because it has sets of 20 sterilized needles in a single blister pack. With individual sterilized blister packs, it helps maintain sterility for each needle and also helps dispose of single needles instead of entire packs.
Jiajian needles have spring handles and a smooth finish, which ensures an easy glide insertion. Needles range from widths of 0.13 to 0.40 mm with lengths of either 13mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, or finally 100mm.
Meanwhile, Seirin J-type Dry Needling needles feature the easy release comfort grip handle with Light Touch Insertion and are color-coded for easy size identification. The needles are sold in a box of 100 needles with one needle and guide tube per individually sealed blister package.
The Seirin J-Type needles are made from only the highest quality surgical stainless steel and will ensure a gentle and stress-free acupuncture treatment.
The least common acupuncture needle is the Pyonex Acupuncture Individual Press Needle. These needles are designed to provide a gentle, painless, and stress-free experience for the patient.
The unique patented plastic case and sheath allow the practitioner to insert the needle without directly touching the needle tip or the surface of the hypoallergenic, latex-free adhesive tape. This adhesive tape is designed to allow the skin to breathe during the treatment.
The Global Acupuncture Needles Market
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The global market for acupuncture needles was valued at US$180 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$319 million by 2031, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 8.7% during the forecast period. Acupuncture originated in China and remains largely dominated by Chinese manufacturers and brands.
According to the report, the global top five acupuncture needle manufacturers hold a share of over 65% of the acupuncture market. Leading acupuncture manufacturers include Chinese-owned firms Suzhou Medical, SEIRIN, Empecs, Dongbang, and Suzhou Acupuncture.
China’s Dominance in the Acupuncture Needles Market
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Around 6,000 BCE, China used sharpened stones and long, sharp bones instead of needles for acupuncture treatment. They may have been used for simple surgical procedures like lancing an abscess.
Acupuncture developed in the next few centuries and eventually became one of the standard therapies in the Asian giant. The practice was supported by massage, diet, herbs, and heat therapy.
However, in the 17th century, interest in acupuncture declined because it was perceived as irrational and was filled with superstitions. In 1822, the Emperor’s decree excluded the tradition from the Imperial Medical Institute.
In 1971, acupuncture traction was revived when a US press corps member was treated with acupuncture during recovery in China, where he was visiting. He shared this experience with the New York Times. Eventually, acupuncture was accepted in the United States when a National Institutes of Health consensus conference reported positive evidence for its effectiveness.
Today, China, the birthplace of acupuncture, accounts for 60% of the global acupuncture needle market. This was followed by Europe and Japan, which both have a 20% share.
This dominance is attributed to the widespread acceptance and integration of acupuncture into the country’s mainstream healthcare system. The practice is supported by the government and is widely used in both clinical and wellness settings.
Acupuncture Trends in the UAE
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Healthcare in the UAE is thriving, with digital health, telemedicine, preventive care, and AI at the forefront. Despite advancements in healthcare, traditional and complementary medicine are still needed.
Traditional therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and wellness are fueled by holistic and personalized treatments.
The acupuncture needles market in the UAE generated a revenue of US$1.5 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$2.4 million by 2030, according to Grand View Research. And the market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030.
In terms of segment, disposable needles were the largest revenue-generating product in 2023.
UAE alternative therapy market licensing trend
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To ensure that patient safety and international best practices are implemented, practitioners in alternative therapy must obtain licenses from the respective regulatory body in the UAE. These therapies include Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Osteopathy.
The licensing landscape for the UAE Complementary and Alternative Therapy (CAM) market is governed by several authorities, including the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), each with distinct guidelines.
The process involves completing accredited educational programs, passing competency exams, and meeting experience criteria. For acupuncture, practitioners should have healthcare backgrounds such as physiotherapy or nursing.
Licensing requirements in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah have similarities but also have differences in professional qualification standards and registration processes.
Dubai (DHA) has a more streamlined application process, while Abu Dhabi (DOH) has strict compliance with national healthcare standards.
Where to buy acupuncture needles?
From January 2024 to May 2025, GulfPhysio has so far sold AED9,360 worth of acupuncture needles and sterile needles. Seirin needles and JiaJian Energy are some of the top-selling brands in GulfPhysio.
Top acupuncture customers include sports clinics and veterinary clinics. In sports, traditional Chinese medicine is used for acute or early-stage sports injuries. Acupuncture, cupping, thermal/laser therapy can promote circulation, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation to support the natural healing process.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine have also been part of martial arts and sports medicine in China for centuries. The traditional medicine can treat sports injuries from sprains to cuts.
Some of the key benefits of acupuncture medicine include:
- Increasing range of motion by loosening tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Improving blood flow to aid muscle recovery
- Decreasing fatigue and enhancing mental clarity
- Relieving muscle tension and stimulating nerve activity
- Increasing flexibility by releasing connective tissue adhesions
The traditional medicine is also used for treating medical conditions in animals. It has been done for over 3,000 years, and horses were among the first animals treated with acupuncture because they were needed in war and farming. This is why most buyers of acupuncture needles are equine veterinarians.
Currently, equine acupuncture is commonly incorporated in treating several conditions, especially musculoskeletal disorders and back pain.
Horse owners prefer acupuncture because of its safety and minimal unwanted side effects. Acupuncture is well tolerated by most horses and provides a drug-free approach to treat musculoskeletal pain that can improve equine performance.
Acupuncture does not need any specialized equipment, making it easier to perform in a variety of environments than some traditional methods.
Acupuncture needles are also used for electroacupuncture, a mode of treatment in physical therapy that involves acupuncture and electrostimulation. Electroacupuncture helps improve blood flow by decreasing inflammation.
You can browse all acupuncture supplies at GulfPhysio’s website. You can check more information about the products at www.gulfphysio.com.
