Is there any scientific evidence that accupuncture works?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering -- many friends go and swear by it.

[Anonymous]

Short answer - no. Most reputable studies have found it to be no more effective than placebo.

[Anonymous]

Well, yes, in the sense that placebos work.

There was a recent article in the New Yorker about the placebo effect and it was very interesting.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, there is.

Could you provide links, please?

[Anonymous]

yes, for infertility there have been studies showing that it is effective. You can google and find them yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, for infertility there have been studies showing that it is effective. You can google and find them yourself.

I already googled before I posted, and everything says it doesn't work any better than a placebo. I thought someone here might have more personal experience or knowledge with its efficacy and could post some evidence/links/etc.

[Anonymous]

I remember seeing some studies that it worked on animals!! I found that fascinating. That said, although I loved my acupuncturist, I don't think it really did anything for me.

[Anonymous]

It works for several things. Not all.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/complementary_and_alternative_medicine/acupuncture_85,P00171/

[Anonymous]

As the PP said, it really depends what you are looking for from acupuncture. Cochrane reviews are regarded with some of the highest level of medical evidence among physicians. See the link below for a variety of their findings on that modality for many different ailments.

[link] http://summaries.cochrane.org/search/site/acupuncture [/link]

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks!

[polarboogie]

I believe since it's been used for thousands of years, yes, it works.

For me, it works. Acupuncture has helped me with anxiety/depression, allergies, neck & back pain. I was also trying to get pregnant. While I wasn't getting acupuncture for fertility, I did get pregnant while I was getting consistent acupuncture treatments.

I don't really care if there are scientific studies or not. If I feel it works for me, it works for me. Maybe it's the 30 min of peace and quiet with plinky plunky music that does it, I really don't know. I do know that I like it.

Try it OP. I mean, other than some cash, I assume you have nothing to lose.

[Anonymous]

I was told I would never have kids without clomid. I went to one acupuncture appt and got pregnant the next day. My sonogram backdated it to the same day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told I would never have kids without clomid. I went to one acupuncture appt and got pregnant the next day. My sonogram backdated it to the same day.

magic

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the studies linked above, but I recall reading somewhere that acupuncture creates a measurable uptick in endorphin production, which eases pain and reduces the physical effects of stress.

Sex, jogging, and (I think) chocolate also raise endorphin levels.