Needles...

Just the other night I watched a fascinating programme about acupuncture. This doctor/scientist lady was trying to investigate and find proof of the effectiveness of the treatment which claims to heal all kinds of aliments. Various people were featured including a girl who had open heart surgery whilst conscious using only acupuncture to dull the pain. Not only did she not feel a thing but she was out of hospital significantly sooner than if she had undergone the operation ‘western style’. They also highlighted a few research studies aimed at substantiating the vast claims made by acupuncturists primarily trying to establish if it was simply a placebo or whether acupuncture had any physiological effects.

They closed the show conducting their own experiment in an MRI scanner measuring brain activity whilst various forms of acupunctural techniques were adopted. Interestingly the showed that acupuncture can actually lead to deactivation of certain brain areas. In doing so they found something they didn’t expect and have moved a step closer to understanding how this ancient art works.

I think I’d be well up for trying acupuncture but I’m not sure of its origins and basis in religion. I’ve also never met any who’s had it done and was wondering if you’ve heard any positive or negative stories relating to the treatment.