Acupuncture
 

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Acupuncture - healing people by pricking them with needles - dates back to pre-christian times and was once popular in the ancient east, but eventually lost status as a form of healing. But under the regime of Mao Zhedong, acupuncture was revived as a response to the lack of medical practitioners in China. Since then, acupuncture has spread its way westwards and is, today, generally seen as the most credible form of alternative medicine. At least that would be true in Norway where the claimed efficiency of the practice seems commonly accepted.

But is acupuncture an effective treatment? The mechanisms by which it claim to work are mystical or even mythical (non-existant?) and numerous scientific studies seem to conclude that there is no effect, or that the effect is too small for clinical recommendation. Yet, many people claim that acupuncture helps them.

What do you think?

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.

Pet acupuncture?

Acupuncture classes: students treat exotic pets - Baltimore exotic animals | Examiner.com

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I think that their belief that it helps helps.

My mother had our cat acupunctured for arthritis once. I couldn't tell you if it helped, but the cat didn't mind. My mother is a big believer in many alternative medicines and world theories, bless her.

I had the procedure once. I had knee ligament surgery when I was in high school and it actually helped with the swelling and scar tissue build up. I'm not one to fall for false procedures, I could literally feel the heat coming out of the tissue. I never had to go back. I also use a chiropractor on occassion to keep my body aligned.

Do you think it would help my back pain? I've never actually done acupuncture before but would definitely try it.

I think it's all mind over matter. People who are into it have forced themselves into believing it works, so ultimately they have tricked their brains.

I honestly couldn't say. Usually with back pain its due to other issues then swelling and scar tissue. Usually back pain is due to nerve damage/muscle damage. I would recommend rest and Naproxen. Short of that it may be an alignment issue and a chiropractor could help.

It's been worse since I had my fall and I'm taking opiates and ibuprofen for it. I was supposed to have a meeting yesterday with the pain clinic which might get me free physio but it was cancelled due to the doctor being sick.

Ouch. Did you damage vertebrae in your back just curious? I know bone deficiency or damage to vertebrae is excruciating enough to require opiates. Acupuncture would really only be of help to soft tissue. At least in my only experience it was.