Acupuncture works – but it works equally well with or without needle penetration. This conclusion can be drawn from a treatment study involving cancer patients suffering from nausea during radiotherapy.
In a series of acupuncture studies, 215 patients who were undergoing radiation treatment in the abdomen or pelvic region were involved. In one study, 109 received traditional acupuncture, with needles penetrating the skin in particular points. According to ancient Chinese tradition, the needle is twisted until a certain ‘needle sensation’ arises. The other 106 patients received a simulated acupuncture instead, with a telescopic, blunt placebo needle that merely touches the skin.
The acupuncture was performed by physiotherapists two or three times a week throughout the five-week radiation period. the results were 95% of the patients in both groups felt that the acupuncture treatment had helped relieve nausea, and more than half had experienced other positive effects such as improved sleep, brighter mood, and less pain.
Another study showed that patients who received traditional or simulated acupuncture felt considerably better than the group that had only received care following ordinary routines. The difference, 37 percent compared with 63 percent of nauseous patients, is statistically significant.
Source: ScienceDaily, 1 December 2008
Chapter: Acupuncture :: 3 February 2009
