Does Acupuncture Work?

Does Acupuncture Work?

Do you suffer from chronic pain? Maybe acupuncture is just what the doctor ordered. Millions of people say that acupuncture has alleviated their suffering and boosted their bodies, but others insist that it's more rooted in belief than scientific fact. Is acupuncture really the cure for what ails you, or does it only turn you into a human pincushion?

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You are seeing 3 Comments on this Argument. See all 131 Comments on this Question.
Yes Side
By Bill Reddy - American Association of Acupuncture...

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  • Adam Hammond
    Outright falsehood?

    This list of conditions is reproduced verbatim on a variety of websites, not all specific to acupuncture. While some of them list sources for the information, they are not all the same source and none of the listed sources that I explored could be confirmed. You had better support this post quick!

    - Adam HammondUS September 4, 2008 4:46PM

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Regarding Objection
The WHO and NCCAM
- From Steven Novella MD
No Side
By Steven Novella, MD - New England Skeptical Society

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  • Bill Reddy
    Research Citation for the NIH reference

    You are CORRECT Dr. Novella that I used NCCAM incorrectly (I'm used to being involved with that entity), it was NIH at the time of the WHO consensus statement. I found an updated (1997) WHO/NIH Acupuncture consensus statement ( http://consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm ) that states under CONCLUSIONS that "However, promising results have emerged, for example, showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program."

    - Bill ReddyUS September 7, 2008 6:04PM

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    • Edzard Ernst
      The WHO list

      The WHO list is very much one based on the wishful thinking of the WHO panel of acupuncture. It's a political but not an evidence-based document - more details about it in our book "Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial." Bantham Press, London 2008

      - Edzard ErnstGB September 15, 2008 2:51AM

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Spotlight

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  • Edzard Ernst
    Professor Ernst qualified as a physician in Germany where he also completed his MD and PhD theses. He was Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR)... More

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