http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_arti ... sn-t-work# (http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/6/20/acupuncture-doesn-t-work#)
Quote from: "baddogma"http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/6/20/acupuncture-doesn-t-work#
Well, I can't say with any authority, none whatsoever, whether or not acupuncture works, but it always seemed kind of kooky. Stick a bunch of needles in your body and get some mysterious energy going? It's just strange enough sounding that it's sure to attract a following. Of course, I've never tried it myself, so what can I say? Whenever I've had a physical or mental complaint, no one has ever said, "You need to go get some acupuncture right away." But maybe I've been talking to the wrong people. :-D
My wife got acupuncture once. Basically they put her in a dimly lit room, on a really comfortable massage style table and put on some relaxing music. Then the acupuncturist came in and put the needles in. After placing the needles they left her in the room for like 45 min. just laying there chilling. After it was over she told me that the needles didn't seem to do anything, but that it was definitely relaxing because of everything else involved. If anything the needles give you something to think about so that you don't focus on your life, and that destraction from life's troubles is an effective gimmick. She never went back.
Quote from: "Elohim"My wife got acupuncture once. Basically they put her in a dimly lit room, on a really comfortable massage style table and put on some relaxing music. Then the acupuncturist came in and put the needles in. After placing the needles they left her in the room for like 45 min. just laying there chilling. After it was over she told me that the needles didn't seem to do anything, but that it was definitely relaxing because of everything else involved. If anything the needles give you something to think about so that you don't focus on your life, and that destraction from life's troubles is an effective gimmick. She never went back.
Sounds OK, but I would at least expect some candles with the soft music.:-D
Lol, there could have been some candles involved. I'm not a primary source for this information. :)
Another pseudo science and the placebo effect. Even without getting stuck with needles the atmosphere would produce the same effect. I think a good roll in the hay would be better. :shock: :lol: Solitary
Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "Elohim"My wife got acupuncture once. Basically they put her in a dimly lit room, on a really comfortable massage style table and put on some relaxing music. Then the acupuncturist came in and put the needles in. After placing the needles they left her in the room for like 45 min. just laying there chilling. After it was over she told me that the needles didn't seem to do anything, but that it was definitely relaxing because of everything else involved. If anything the needles give you something to think about so that you don't focus on your life, and that destraction from life's troubles is an effective gimmick. She never went back.
Sounds OK, but I would at least expect some candles with the soft music.:-D
I love massage! Just offer to buy her massage. Same relaxing experience, no needles, probably costs less too. And a good facial/temple message is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing.
But that acupuncture is a placebo? I am not surprised in the least. Still, placebos are being recognized as a legitimate way to treat some ailments, aren't they? In a way? I mean, mind over matter or something? Maybe I'm wrong there.
Quote from: "Aroura33"Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "Elohim"My wife got acupuncture once. Basically they put her in a dimly lit room, on a really comfortable massage style table and put on some relaxing music. Then the acupuncturist came in and put the needles in. After placing the needles they left her in the room for like 45 min. just laying there chilling. After it was over she told me that the needles didn't seem to do anything, but that it was definitely relaxing because of everything else involved. If anything the needles give you something to think about so that you don't focus on your life, and that destraction from life's troubles is an effective gimmick. She never went back.
Sounds OK, but I would at least expect some candles with the soft music.:-D
I love massage! Just offer to buy her massage. Same relaxing experience, no needles, probably costs less too. And a good facial/temple message is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing.
But that acupuncture is a placebo? I am not surprised in the least. Still, placebos are being recognized as a legitimate way to treat some ailments, aren't they? In a way? I mean, mind over matter or something? Maybe I'm wrong there.
This ^^^
I tried acupuncture with physio a few times when I had a problem with my left AC joint a few years back. I was desperate - to be honest I'd have danced bollock-naked around a silver bowl of monkey jizz by moonlight if I thought it was going to work. The acupuncture dude said that a lot of acupuncture is indeed utter crap, but some of it can help to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels around an injury area or words to that effect. I don't know whether that is right or wrong or whether it was the physio or the acupuncture that had the most beneficial effect - I'm inclined to think it was the physio - but I did get a lot better quickly and got back to weightlifting within 6 weeks. *shrug*
EDIT - it was fucking expensive though.....
Quote from: "Aroura33"Quote from: "SGOS"Quote from: "Elohim"My wife got acupuncture once. Basically they put her in a dimly lit room, on a really comfortable massage style table and put on some relaxing music. Then the acupuncturist came in and put the needles in. After placing the needles they left her in the room for like 45 min. just laying there chilling. After it was over she told me that the needles didn't seem to do anything, but that it was definitely relaxing because of everything else involved. If anything the needles give you something to think about so that you don't focus on your life, and that destraction from life's troubles is an effective gimmick. She never went back.
Sounds OK, but I would at least expect some candles with the soft music.:-D
I love massage! Just offer to buy her massage. Same relaxing experience, no needles, probably costs less too. And a good facial/temple message is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing.
But that acupuncture is a placebo? I am not surprised in the least. Still, placebos are being recognized as a legitimate way to treat some ailments, aren't they? In a way? I mean, mind over matter or something? Maybe I'm wrong there.
You are correct, placebos are used by MDs for treatment. Whether it is legitimate or ethical is another question.
Quote from: "Youssuf Ramadan"I tried acupuncture with physio a few times when I had a problem with my left AC joint a few years back. I was desperate - to be honest I'd have danced bollock-naked around a silver bowl of monkey jizz by moonlight if I thought it was going to work. The acupuncture dude said that a lot of acupuncture is indeed utter crap, but some of it can help to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels around an injury area or words to that effect. I don't know whether that is right or wrong or whether it was the physio or the acupuncture that had the most beneficial effect - I'm inclined to think it was the physio - but I did get a lot better quickly and got back to weightlifting within 6 weeks. *shrug*
EDIT - it was fucking expensive though.....
Cool name! monkey jizz? :rollin: Solitary
Quote from: "Solitary"Cool name! monkey jizz? :rollin: Solitary
Why thankyou, squire! 8-)
Hmm..there's a business opportunity in monkey jizz in silver bowls apparently. Whoda thunk it? :-k
I have little doubt you could make millions in Hollywood with that cure for [insert ailment]. :)
I hate needles...
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"Hmm..there's a business opportunity in monkey jizz in silver bowls apparently. Whoda thunk it? :-k
I have little doubt you could make millions in Hollywood with that cure for [insert ailment]. :)
Enough people bought into Scientology, so why the hell not? :lol:
There are a lot of interesting studies behind the effects of acupuncture, and many significant positive outcomes. However correlation doesn't imply causation and the acupuncture may be acting as a giant placebo effect. I've also read that people who visit the doctor for an examination when they feel sick report a significant decline in symptoms as they leave the clinic, before starting any actual treatment.
Does acupuncture work? Indirectly, yes.