Flaws in Acupuncture Research

I am pleased that more funding is becoming available to research acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and other complementary treatments. Funding allows for increased exposure to a population of people who might not try these effective treatments without evidence based research. With that said, I cannot say there haven’t been problems attempting to adapt a TCM healthcare model to the double blind placebo “gold standard” of research.

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The Scalpel or the Needle

I often giggle when people vehemently tell me they would NEVER try acupuncture. Honestly, I think it developed as a defense mechanism because as I giggle externally, I sigh internally. I get most people really do not know that the needles used in acupuncture are gentle and are not the hollow, serrated edge needles used to inject or withdraw fluids at a medical doctor’s office. I sigh because the same individuals that generally refuse so vehemently, I observe engaging in behavior that will lead them toward receiving services that require something far more intimidating than an acupuncture needle… a scalpel.

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