By Grateful Ogunjebe
The benefits of acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice is gradually being harnessed in Nigeria and across Africa. The therapy works by placing fine needles into specific points on the body, triggering nerves, improving circulation, and releasing natural painkillers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture for treating over 30 conditions. From pain relief to stress reduction, it is about helping the body heal itself not just covering up symptoms.
According to Flourish Ogunjebe, a pioneer of acupuncture therapy in Nigeria, acupuncture is not simply about placing needles on the body, it is about restoring balance and unlocking the body’s natural ability to heal.
She said, “Painkillers may dull discomfort, blood pressure drugs may regulate circulation, and antidepressants may stabilize mood, but in many cases these solutions do not address the root cause of illness. Acupuncture, by contrast, works on the body’s internal systems. By stimulating carefully chosen points, it influences the nervous system, improves blood flow, balances hormones, and triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, natural chemicals that support healing, resilience, and emotional stability.”
Flourish, who is also the founder of Flourish Acupuncture and Lifestyle Health, said that the science behind acupuncture often surprises new patients. She said many arrive expecting sharp pain, but the needles used are much finer than hospital syringes, often no thicker than a strand of hair.
She said, “Once inserted, patients typically describe the sensation as light, calming, or even energising. The treatment stimulates pathways in the nervous system that communicate with the brain, activating mechanisms for pain relief, relaxation, and improved circulation. In this way, acupuncture does not fight the body but partners with it, encouraging natural processes that modern research increasingly validates.”
Acupuncture in Nigeria
Acupuncture is still a new practice in Nigeria. It is found mainly in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, tucked into private clinics rather than public hospitals. Unlike China or the United States, where acupuncture sits side-by-side with conventional medicine, in Nigeria it is still a niche service.
But interest is growing. Findings reveal that with drug costs rising and chronic illnesses on the increase, many Nigerians are curious about alternatives that don’t leave them dependent on lifelong medication.
Flourish, who is 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗱 a𝗰𝘂𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 l𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 m𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 said the reasons the practice is not yet widespread in Nigeria are as follows:
- Awareness: Many Nigerians still see it as mystical or foreign.
• Accessibility: Only a handful of certified practitioners exist.
• Policy gaps: It is not part of our healthcare system or insurance.
She said this means it is often limited to those who can afford private care, leaving millions unaware of its potential.
Flourish further highlighted that her path into the field of acupuncture was not born in the classroom but through a life-altering experience; one that left her searching for answers beyond the limits of painkillers and hospital treatments. At 22, after a life-threatening accident left her with severe back pain, conventional treatment failed her.
She said relief came through acupuncture and it changed her life. Inspired, she trained locally and abroad, and now runs Flourish Acupuncture and Lifestyle Health. Her patients include stroke survivors, women struggling with infertility, and those battling stress and high blood pressure.
Flourish believes government and stakeholders should step in and integrate acupuncture into hospitals, support training for more practitioners, and make treatment affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
How acupuncture provides relief, other health benefits
Acupuncture has been used worldwide to manage:
- Chronic pain: Arthritis, migraines, back and neck aches.
• Stroke rehabilitation: Helping patients regain movement.
• Women’s health: Menstrual pain, fertility issues, menopause.
• Mental health: Stress, anxiety, insomnia.
• Chronic conditions: High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes symptoms.
Flourish explained that acupuncture works through multiple therapeutic effects, each addressing different systems of the body.
She said, “Pain relief is the most immediate benefit. Acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s own painkillers, and improves circulation in affected areas.”
She remembers treating her mother, one of her earliest patients, who had been struggling with high blood pressure, obesity, insomnia, and intense hot flashes during menopause. Through consistent sessions, her blood pressure stabilized, her sleep improved, and her symptoms reduced significantly.
This transformation gave Flourish the confidence to keep going, affirming that acupuncture could make a real difference where conventional treatments often fall short.
“Beyond pain, acupuncture has calming effects that reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Patients frequently arrive restless, carrying the weight of burnout or emotional strain, only to leave lighter and more relaxed, “she said.
The acupuncture therapist recalls one stroke survivor who initially came to her unable to move one side of his body. “After several sessions, his hand and leg began to respond. The moment he stood up from the couch and walked again remains etched in my memory, not just for the patient’s joy but for the family members who watched in tears as recovery unfolded before their eyes.”
She stated that the science behind such cases lie in acupuncture’s ability to stimulate neurological pathways and support the brain’s healing capacity, adding “By targeting specific points, the treatment helps reconnect signals between the brain and affected muscles, supporting rehabilitation in stroke patients.”
The acupuncturist also said these successes were proof that alternative medicine could complement conventional care, especially in cases where recovery seems limited.
She said women’s health is another area where she has witnessed profound change. From regulating painful or irregular menstrual cycles to supporting fertility, acupuncture offers women a natural way to balance hormones and restore rhythm to their bodies.
She recounted stories of women who had struggled with heavy bleeding or infertility, only to find stability and renewed hope after treatment. In one memorable case, a woman who had been unable to conceive for years finally became pregnant after a series of sessions.
She narrated that the most dramatic example came with a patient suffering from dangerously high blood pressure at 201/123 mmHg. A level that carried the imminent risk of stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure. After an acupuncture session, his blood pressure dropped to 121/74 mmHg in less than two hours.
“That moment was unforgettable,” Flourish reflects. “It reminded me that the body has immense power to heal when given the right support.”
Challenges of acupuncture practice in Africa
Despite its growing acceptance, acupuncture still faces several challenges across Africa.
The acupuncture practitioner said she often encounters skepticism from patients who assume that acupuncture is mystical, superstitious, or too painful to endure. Others dismiss it as “foreign” and incompatible with African healthcare traditions. But in her view, these misconceptions are rooted in lack of exposure rather than outright resistance.
Once patients experience the treatment, feeling the relaxation, relief, and renewed energy that follows, their doubts quickly turn into curiosity and appreciation.
Another barrier is accessibility. In Nigeria and much of Africa, acupuncture remains a niche practice, often limited to urban centres. This means many people who could benefit from it never get the chance. Flourish sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity.
She said that if more practitioners were trained and if healthcare systems integrate acupuncture into existing medical structures, millions more Africans will have access to safe, affordable, and effective alternative care.
There is also the issue of cost. Because acupuncture requires specialized training and tools, treatments can sometimes be out of the reach for ordinary citizens. Flourish often reminds her audience that the goal is not to replace conventional medicine but to complement it, giving patients a broader range of options for healing.
Looking ahead, she imagines a future where acupuncture is as common in African hospitals as blood pressure checks or routine tests. She dreams of clinics where stroke survivors can walk again with support, women can find relief from reproductive health struggles, and people living with chronic pain can regain quality of life without lifelong dependence on drugs.
To her, acupuncture represents not just needles and techniques but a philosophy, one that believes the body has the wisdom to heal if we listen closely enough.
She added that her training in functional and lifestyle medicine has allowed her to integrate acupuncture into broader health strategies. This holistic approach ensures that healing does not just happen in the clinic, but continues at home and within daily routines.
She said, “health does not have to be a luxury. People should stay open-minded about alternatives that may seem unfamiliar but have centuries of science and evidence behind them. We have nothing to lose by exploring new paths to wellness. But we have everything to gain when we combine tradition, innovation, and openness to healing.”
The Big Picture
Nigeria and many countries in Africa are facing a health crisis: rising cases of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and chronic pain are draining families and overstretching hospitals. For many, lifelong medication is the only option and it is costly.
Acupuncture offers a different path. It is not a magic fix, but it can ease pressure on the health system, cut down on drug dependence, and give patients a chance at natural, lasting relief.
The real question is no longer does acupuncture work? The question is whether Nigeria and other African countries will recognize its value, invest in training more practitioners, and open the doors of public hospitals to a treatment that could change lives.
