You’ll find more study in the West of “dry needling”, a technique directly inspired by acupuncture. Here’s one recent review.
I see an acupuncturist because the results for me are great, she’s good at what she does, she does believe in germ theory, she practices in a sanitary way, and she doesn’t claim to cure illnesses. These are the norms for modern licensed acupuncturists. I’m not saying every acupuncturist out there is like this, hokey grifters do exist in alt medicine spaces, and that’s kind of my whole point. It really depends on the practitioner.
Many of those studies in that meta analysis show limited short term effects.
Because there is no widely accepted sham protocol for DN research, researchers should incorporate cognitive influences that extend beyond the mimicking of tactile sensations to create a believable simulation of active dry needling.
I also think there’s a serious question about what sham/placebo dry needling would be, and if inconsistent standards could impact results.
Why would you let someone who doesn’t believe in germ theory put needles in your body?
There is no evidence justifying acupuncture.
You’ll find more study in the West of “dry needling”, a technique directly inspired by acupuncture. Here’s one recent review.
I see an acupuncturist because the results for me are great, she’s good at what she does, she does believe in germ theory, she practices in a sanitary way, and she doesn’t claim to cure illnesses. These are the norms for modern licensed acupuncturists. I’m not saying every acupuncturist out there is like this, hokey grifters do exist in alt medicine spaces, and that’s kind of my whole point. It really depends on the practitioner.
Many of those studies in that meta analysis show limited short term effects.
I also think there’s a serious question about what sham/placebo dry needling would be, and if inconsistent standards could impact results.