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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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Does Acupuncture Work?
Exactly as stated ...
Yes, exactly as stated in the question, acupuncture "works" - sometimes, in some situations, and with little to no understanding as to why. The effects of acupuncture treatment may or may not be in the patient's - and the "doctor's" head - nevertheless, if the patient finds relief for whatever reason, perhaps, in the least, acupuncture does no harm. As a healer, one must needs carry both the bag of science and the bag of tricks. We human beings are incredibly complex creatures. Certainly, there is much we know and understand about ourselves AND much we do not. In the interest of aiding those who suffer, whatever treatments are available, whether soundly supported by science or not, mustn't be summarily rejected if there is a chance the patience will experience relief of their suffering by their use. "Health" isn't simply what lies in the mind of the physician, it is also and more importantly what lies in the mind of the patient. As inconclusive as research appears to be on the subject of acupuncture, I believe the healer must keep that option for treatment open to them in the remote possibility it has supportable benefit, even if that benefit is psychological alone.
I have never tried acupuncture myself, however, as one who suffers with acute and chronic pain, there are many times when I would accept even the scientifically unsupportable if there was even a slim chance it might reduce the pain or give it pause for even a few moments. As I've seen it, far too many physicians claiming to be "healers" are apathetic in relation to the psychological suffering component of illness. It often seems, in their view, a human being is simply a bag of meat which is, in their professional opinion, either functionally healthy or not.
I await either science's total rejection, or total acceptance of acupuncture. In the meantime, as a tentatively effective treatment, I may or may not find it useful.
- Naumadd
September 8, 2008 2:17PM
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Generating psychological benefit
To generate psychological benefit, one does not need a bogus treatment - that can be achieved with an effective (i.e. better than placebo) therapy as well. And then we would have the patient benifit from both specific and non-specific effects.
- Edzard Ernst
September 15, 2008 2:43AM
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