Acupuncture

Analysis and Comment (4)

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The idea of Chi (life force) flowing through meridians has an allegorical quality and the appeal of an ancient provenance. jacqueline/Flickr

Acupuncture research – the path least scientific?

By Neil O'Connell, Brunel University and Lorimer Moseley, University of South Australia

A recent, rather flattering, article on acupuncture on this website holds a mirror to a broader problem in the world of acupuncture research. A problem that goes to the heart of the most fundamental scientific…
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Modern research techniques are looking for evidence of efficacy for this 2,500-year-old practice. Peter Fasano

Modern acupuncture: panacea or placebo?

By Im Quah-Smith

PANACEA OR PLACEBO – A weekly series assessing the evidence behind complementary and alternative medicines. Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 2,500 years. During the reign of Emperor Huang…
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Acupuncture is based on the belief that a vital force (Ch’i) is transmitted along meridians. Megan Mallen

Turf war over who can claim the title of acupuncturist

By John Dwyer

Acupuncture is popular and no doubt lucrative for its practitioners. The fact that it doesn’t work seems to be of little relevance, and certainly has not curbed enthusiasm for the application of what is…
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Linking research and teaching, universities are best placed to teach evidence-based CAM. Tulane Publications

Why universities should teach alternative medicine

By Evelin Tiralongo, Griffith University

Most readers would know of the current debate about universities teaching complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). A core question not being addressed in this debate is what other institution is better…

Research Briefs (1)

Acupuncture effective for pain relief

University of Southampton

Researchers have found acupuncture to be modestly more effective than a placebo treatment, where needles are inserted superficially…

Participants (35)