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?
Reddy claims that by my logic one study would show that acupuncture works - but this is the exact opposite of what I said. My point is that you have to look at the whole literature. One study is never compelling. Also - I am not checking picking - I am relying upon systemic reviews, which is by definition not cherry picking. Reddy, on the other hands, says he is not cherry picking, then cherry picks one study.
Further - the study he picked is terrible - not well designed.
The study was not blinded. By its own measure - 75% of the patients in the "true" acupuncture group thought they were getting real acupuncture, while only 58% in the Sham group did. Also, there was a very high drop our rate of this study, which compromises the randomization.
This is a weak study - certainly not "undeniable" which is an incredibly naive statement.
The state of the art for acupuncture studies now is using truly double-blind insertion with obscured needles. These studies, so far, are all negative.
You have to look at the entire literature. This one weak study is not convincing. The systematic reviews are essentially negative.
It looks like that metaphorical picture of the earth (and come-one with the flat-earth references) was sketched with crayons.
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