I'm a new poster in this forum. Any opinions about Acupuncture

[HERVEPA]

Do folks think it's quackery? I lean in that direction.

[TZ]

1. IMO...

It has some limited benefit. I don't think its the miracle cure that some make it out to be, but I do think that for SOME people it does give some pain relief. I don't think its entirely quackery but its limited in its use in other words.

[trotsky]

2. The quackery part comes in the proposed mechanism.

Suggesting that it works by manipulating "chi" through "meridians" is total pseudo-scientific nonsense unsupported by any evidence. However there is increasing evidence that it can help people through entirely normal, understood neurological processes. See this thread from a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=247x23339

[Warpy]

5. Exactly, the same benefits

measured through PET scan have been found using "fake acupuncture," random dry needling.

Interestingly enough, dry needling has been found as effective as steroid injections for back spasm.

It works, in other words, but not for the reasons Chinese medicine says it does.

[Ian David]

3. Sticking pins in yourself releases endorphins. Endorphins fight pain.

Also, laying on a table in a room filled with relaxing music and nice incense probably helps too.

I would bet that you could stick acupuncture needles ANYWHERE on your body, not just the "acupuncture points" and get the same results.

There's probably a study somewhere of just that.

If not, there SHOULD be.

You could probably also get similar results by going to a professional dominatrix for a spanking.

[beam me up scottie]

4. Many skeptics don't deny that acupuncture can be beneficial, we just don't think it's magic.

Most of us agree that more research needs to be done.

[varkam]

7. Actually, BMUS, *I* think it's magic.

I once saw acupuncture pull a rabbit out of a hat!

[Orrex]

8. They've done that trick exactly the same way for 2000 years, you know

:evilgrin:

[bluedawg12]

6. I think it has some limited applications for mild pain relief

I certain conditions.

I agree with the comments here, it may be endorphins and/or placebo effect, but not likely related to meridians.

[progressoid]

9. My F-I-L was an anesthesiologist.

I recall that he attended an "alternative medicine" symposium once and was quite impressed with what acupuncture could do. But in the end they stuck to the western methods.

edit: thank DU for spell check! (anesthesiologist!!)