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It looks like the skeptics were right – a new study has confirmed that acupuncture is a sham. A double-blind clinical trial that compared the effectiveness of metal acupuncture needles and toothpicks from the local Safeway found that actual needle insertion and simple toothpick-poking were equally effective in relieving pain.
That’s right, poking yourself with toothpicks offers the same relief you’d get from a $100 acupuncture session. You don’t even have to spill any blood.
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese practice of inserting needles into “meridians,” channels of Qi, or vital energy. Skeptics say that “meridians” don’t exist – but can’t quite explain why the little needles relieve pain for many people.
But there’s real power in the placebo effect. People report less back pain when they take medication and have additional “treatment” of any kind – needles, massage, or little pieces of wood under the fingertips – than when they take medication alone. Maybe not that last one.
So buy a pack of toothpicks instead of going to the alternative medicine “doctor.” Use the leftover money to buy some Maker’s Mark™ Kentucky bourbon, and give your old friend Chris a call.
(H/T to The U.S News)
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