I basically think that there may be a tiny effect of acupuncture for treating pain. The pain of having a needle stuck into you may steal focus away from something else that causes you pain. And I also think that having someone poke needles into you, which is a very physical treatment which causes a lot of sensations and feelings, has the potential to cause a very effective placebo.
I've been sceptical for a long time now and today, I just read an
article on The Guardian which mentions that after more than 3000 clinical trials, acupuncture has consistently failed to be proven an effective treatment. So, I generally do not think people should spend money on acupuncture or educate themselves to become acupuncturists. I don't think that doctors should recommend it as a treatment or that welfare money should sponsor acupuncture.