Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center recently concluded that acupuncture is better than placebo acupuncture or no acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain, after analyzing data from 29 randomized controlled human studies. The efficacy and value of acupuncture is controversial, with some studies showing a pain-lowering effect when administered by a qualified practitioner and others finding little compelling evidence for such a pain reduction. Following individual data meta-analyses, the researchers found acupuncture to be superior to placebo, while noting that the subtle differences between ‘true’ and ‘sham/placebo’ acupuncture (which involves pretending to stick retractable needles into a patient’s skin) suggest that factors beyond needling contribute to the therapeutic effects of acupuncture as well.
Read full article here: Acupuncture Provides Relief For Chronic Pain, Say Researchers
