American researchers have found preliminary evidence that acupuncture may be able to help relieve non-cyclic breast pain. Thirty-seven women experiencing breast pain received treatment consisting of four acupuncture sessions over two weeks, with three months of follow-up. Patients reported that pain, described as throbbing and heavy, decreased significantly after acupuncture. Following treatment, pain scores decreased by an average of 3.5 points (on a 10-point scale) for the worst pain experienced during the previous month, by 2.7 points for average pain experienced and by 2.3 points for interference from pain. The percentage of patients reporting a clinically meaningful decrease of two points, from baseline to the end of treatment, included 67% for the worst pain experienced, 65% for average pain experienced, and 56% for pain interference.

Acupuncture for treatment of noncyclic breast pain: a pilot study. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(6):1117-29