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

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HERVEPA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 11:43 AM
Original message
I'm a new poster in this forum. Any opinions about Acupuncture
Do folks think it's quackery? I lean in that direction.
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TZ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 12:16 PM
Response to Original message
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.
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trotsky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 12:20 PM
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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
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 05:37 PM
Response to Reply #2
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.
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Ian David Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 05:13 PM
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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.
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beam me up scottie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 05:14 PM
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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.
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 10:54 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. Actually, BMUS, *I* think it's magic.
I once saw acupuncture pull a rabbit out of a hat!
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Orrex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-31-09 07:33 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. They've done that trick exactly the same way for 2000 years, you know
:evilgrin:
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bluedawg12 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-30-09 08:54 PM
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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.
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progressoid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-31-09 11:57 AM
Response to Original message
9. My F-I-L was an anesthesiologist.
Edited on Tue Mar-31-09 11:59 AM by progressoid
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!!)
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