Fake acupuncture works just as well as real acupuncture

Buried in that post is the fact that fake acupuncture works just about as well as the real acupuncture. (47.6% in the real acupuncture group, 44.2% in the fake group - as opposed to 27.4% for conventional therapy.)  This means that the placebo effect is more effective than conventional therapy and also implies that "real" acupuncture may be just that, the placebo effect.  The mind heals.  The study raises many more questions about acupuncture than it answers.  It also promotes therapies that stimulate the placebo effect (the mind) in healing.

Study: Fake acupuncture helps ease low-back pain

By CARLA K. JOHNSON

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Fake acupuncture works nearly as well as the real thing for low-back pain, and either kind performs much better than usual care, German researchers have found.

Almost half the patients treated with acupuncture needles felt relief that lasted months. In contrast, only about a quarter of the patients receiving medications and other Western medical treatments felt better.

Even fake acupuncture worked better than conventional care, leading researchers to wonder whether pain relief came from the body's reactions to any thin needle pricks or, possibly, the placebo effect.

rest of the story at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003900629_backpain25.html