001. at National University of Health SCIENCES, we're told by a Mr. Wang in "5 Myths About Acupuncture Treatments and Their Effectiveness" (2018-04-25) [2018 archived]:
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[here's more NUHS promotion:
]
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"acupuncture is defined as a healing practice that stimulates certain parts of the body to alleviate pain [...] acupuncture as an effective and first line of treatment for chronic pain [...] the practice of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. In
fact, this ancient healing technique is over 3,000 years old! It is
based on the insertion of thin, sterile needles into strategic points on
the body that lie along specific energy meridian pathways [...]";
this is not accurate, 'merely pain'. Acupuncture claims itself to be a panacea. Also, it is historically believed that acupuncture as it is now is not what acupuncture once was: bloodletting later made less crazy. And those "specific energy merdian pathways" have NO SCIENCE that confirms them. Plus, the energy is not energy in any kind of scientific sense. It is qi, which is an imaginary and prescientific superstition.
"[after all, he then writes] the positive effects of acupuncture are broad and far-reaching [...] acupuncture is popular in the United States because of its use to alleviate pain, prevent disease, and promote wellness [...] clinical studies have found that natural health care in the form of
acupuncture, in particular, can provide relief for conditions that
include, but are not limited to: allergies and respiratory problems
like asthma, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), dysmenorrhea, fertility support, such as regulating periods,
improving egg quality and ovulation, healthy support of the lining of
the uterus, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination
(IUI), headache and migraine, hypertension and hypotension, nausea, vomiting,
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and morning sickness, neurological
disorders, including multiple sclerosis, paralysis, autism, Parkinson’s
disease, aphasia, vertigo, complex regional pain, stroke rehab,
dysphagia, traumatic brain injury, fibromyalgia and more, pain
management for the neck, back, sciatica, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow,
knee pain, Morton’s neuroma, and foot pain, post-operative pain, facial
pain, and dental pain, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, tennis
elbow, sprains, and injury related pain [...]";
so, defined narrowly and then redefined broadly. The foot in the door is pain, the actuality is EVERYTHING.
"this common treatment, although offering its numerous benefits and advantages, has its fair share of misconceptions. Despite acupuncture’s pop ularity, there remain some misconceptions. Below are 5 of the most common myths surrounding acupuncture [..]';
oh, my. The false position that will then tell us about what's false. Acupuncture's efficacy beyond placebo and kind is actually the myth / misconception.
"[myths] 1. acupuncture is painful [...] this first myth is easily debunked [...] when the needle is inserted into the skin, the pa tient may feel a slight heaviness or weak electrical sensation. This normal sensation is referred to as qi (or chi) energy. When the qi is weak, excessive or blocked, it can cause illness and disease. When a patient feels this qi, they should know it’s the body’s healing energy going to work [...]";
ah, and so there we have the science-exterior vitalism at the heart of acupunture. Here being promoted by a supposed "health science" university. So, debunking with what has been debunked: vitalism and animatism.
"[myths] 2. acupuncture is a part of ancient folk medicine. Some people think that because acupuncture has been around for so long, it must be ancient and outdated [...]";
actually NOT a myth.
"[myth] 3. acupuncture treatments are expensive [...]";
it is simply not economical to waste one's money on theatrical placebo and kind.
[myth] 5. if you don’t see results immediately, you won’t benefit from acupuncture. Depending on the individual, patients may see results in three sessions, while some won't see results until their tenth [...]";
if ever this was an indication of placebo, regression to the mean, and natural course of illness, there you go.
"acupuncture continues to gain popularity in Western medicine as more people are beginning to understand all of its mind-body health benefits. As popularity increases, there will be a greater increase for this time-honored healing practice [...]";
let's instead say 'acupuncture continues to be successfully falsely marketed.' See below.
"we hope this post has provided you with eye-opening information and shows you the real uses and benefits of acupuncture treatments. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture and other alternative medicine fields, check out our free resource page – A Career Guide to Becoming an Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practitioner [...]";
ka-ching.
002. Cochrane by way of Australia's Friends of Science in Medicine [2018 archived]:
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acupuncture is quite NOT supported remarkably, broadly or far-reachingly. And don't forget, it then has to compete with established care that has robust evidence and plausibility. Sounds like a career grifting...
