"Acupuncture remains controversial because scientific studies have not yet fully explained how it functions within a Western medical framework."
Actually it is controversial because multiple Western scientific studies have not shown that it actually works any better than sham acupuncture. As a Western doctor I am open to any modality that helps my patients, but modern practice is based on the principle of Evidence-based Medicine, and there just isn't any hard evidence for acupuncture (in addition to the fact that the theory is somewhat fanciful [see also chiropractor]).
Having said that, if your brother has satisfied clients, he should certainly continue to treat them!
It's a very, very odd thing. As I've aged, I've become more and more of a physicalist/empiricist. I genuinely have no belief in anything 'supernatural,' and I don't for a moment think there's anything remotely 'mystical' about acupuncture. I think it works because of the placebo effect - and because this particular placebo has an extraordinary history, pedigree, etc. it carries baggage which makes the patient more amenable to treatment: after all, if you're paying out the nose for something to help you, it helps to have 7000 years of history behind it.
That said, when my wife and I were trying to conceive, we went to an acupuncturist here in England because we'd heard good things about her. On one particular occasion, the practitioner refused to treat her after checking her pulses because - in her words - 'you have baby in there.' There were no signs at all that Karen was pregnant, but we went home via a drugstore, picked up a test and discovered the acupuncturist was right. And that baby's just turned 17 ....
I had never heard the quote "It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has" before (attributed to Hippocrates or otherwise). Love the idea, so did a little digging -- more like fell down a rabbit hole -- and found this:
In my position at the VA I work with Complementary and Integrative Health providers including acupuncturists. I’ve heard countless success stories, including Veterans with chronic pain finding relief from needles in the ear (Battlefield Acupuncture). I also hear from the skeptical physicians. While there’s significant evidence for its efficacy, I also wonder about the role of non-specific factors, such as the benefit of another person touching and caring for you. Like energy medicine, the success rates don’t make intuitive sense...but they’re real. We also know the placebo effect is startlingly powerful, and that may play a role. Regardless, I’m an advocate for its effectiveness even without knowing the mechanism. Great overview Bryan!
It's bizarre, but it can work - though how, I wouldn't know. My brother decided to become an acupuncturist after college and discovered one of the best schools is in Reading, England. So, our parents helped him pay for it, despite not really understanding. But then my dad hurt his arm and was going to have to have surgery and he decided to give acupuncture a go - after all, it was what his son was learning. Long story short, he went into the office with his arm in a sling and walked out with full use. How? Who knows. And my own experiences are the same - doesn't always work, but sometimes it works perfectly well. I think the non-specific factors certainly have something to do with it - including the specific practitioner: that seems to be very important. Glad you liked the overview! I enjoyed writing it!
Acupuncture was one of the stops I made along the path of trying to addressing degenerative disk disease, neither better nor worse than the others. Eventually, a wise surgeon suggested to me that if I could just be patient, the natural stiffening that came with age might resolve my pain without further intervention. By god, he was right! I aged out of back pain. Another really cool Tao-related book is called “Getting Right with Tao” by Ron Hogan. It’s a totally westernized rendition, but it really spoke to me, opening the door for me to grasp more literal translations. You might like it Bryan. And that video! Loved it.
Acupuncture is very strange - it's worked at times and at others I might as well have stuck a pin into myself at random. The Tao-related book sounds great - I'll definitely look for a copy. Nothing wrong with a westernised version - it doesn't matter where the key comes from just as long as it opens the door. And yes, that's a great video - I definitely need to meet that massage therapist! Glad you liked it!
You need to know that I think of your version of 'Reminiscing' each and every single time I hear that song. Every. Single. Time. It's been permanently burned into my memory.
I’m so intrigued by acupuncture. I’m terrified of needles being inserted into me however. The benefits, and my curiosity, may outweigh my fear though... Only time will tell.
Acupuncture is NOTHING like an injection - the needles barely go into the skin and they're superfine. Give it a chance - I've found it very helpful for a number of things. My kids, too.
"Acupuncture remains controversial because scientific studies have not yet fully explained how it functions within a Western medical framework."
Actually it is controversial because multiple Western scientific studies have not shown that it actually works any better than sham acupuncture. As a Western doctor I am open to any modality that helps my patients, but modern practice is based on the principle of Evidence-based Medicine, and there just isn't any hard evidence for acupuncture (in addition to the fact that the theory is somewhat fanciful [see also chiropractor]).
Having said that, if your brother has satisfied clients, he should certainly continue to treat them!
It's a very, very odd thing. As I've aged, I've become more and more of a physicalist/empiricist. I genuinely have no belief in anything 'supernatural,' and I don't for a moment think there's anything remotely 'mystical' about acupuncture. I think it works because of the placebo effect - and because this particular placebo has an extraordinary history, pedigree, etc. it carries baggage which makes the patient more amenable to treatment: after all, if you're paying out the nose for something to help you, it helps to have 7000 years of history behind it.
That said, when my wife and I were trying to conceive, we went to an acupuncturist here in England because we'd heard good things about her. On one particular occasion, the practitioner refused to treat her after checking her pulses because - in her words - 'you have baby in there.' There were no signs at all that Karen was pregnant, but we went home via a drugstore, picked up a test and discovered the acupuncturist was right. And that baby's just turned 17 ....
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, Jim!
I had never heard the quote "It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has" before (attributed to Hippocrates or otherwise). Love the idea, so did a little digging -- more like fell down a rabbit hole -- and found this:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2019/07/20/patient/#:~:text=Parry%2C%20of%20Bath%2C%20said%20two,Parry%20said%20it.
Fantastic digging. I love a rabbit hole! Apologies for only noticing this comment now - life is getting in the way of so many things these days ....
In my position at the VA I work with Complementary and Integrative Health providers including acupuncturists. I’ve heard countless success stories, including Veterans with chronic pain finding relief from needles in the ear (Battlefield Acupuncture). I also hear from the skeptical physicians. While there’s significant evidence for its efficacy, I also wonder about the role of non-specific factors, such as the benefit of another person touching and caring for you. Like energy medicine, the success rates don’t make intuitive sense...but they’re real. We also know the placebo effect is startlingly powerful, and that may play a role. Regardless, I’m an advocate for its effectiveness even without knowing the mechanism. Great overview Bryan!
It's bizarre, but it can work - though how, I wouldn't know. My brother decided to become an acupuncturist after college and discovered one of the best schools is in Reading, England. So, our parents helped him pay for it, despite not really understanding. But then my dad hurt his arm and was going to have to have surgery and he decided to give acupuncture a go - after all, it was what his son was learning. Long story short, he went into the office with his arm in a sling and walked out with full use. How? Who knows. And my own experiences are the same - doesn't always work, but sometimes it works perfectly well. I think the non-specific factors certainly have something to do with it - including the specific practitioner: that seems to be very important. Glad you liked the overview! I enjoyed writing it!
Acupuncture was one of the stops I made along the path of trying to addressing degenerative disk disease, neither better nor worse than the others. Eventually, a wise surgeon suggested to me that if I could just be patient, the natural stiffening that came with age might resolve my pain without further intervention. By god, he was right! I aged out of back pain. Another really cool Tao-related book is called “Getting Right with Tao” by Ron Hogan. It’s a totally westernized rendition, but it really spoke to me, opening the door for me to grasp more literal translations. You might like it Bryan. And that video! Loved it.
Acupuncture is very strange - it's worked at times and at others I might as well have stuck a pin into myself at random. The Tao-related book sounds great - I'll definitely look for a copy. Nothing wrong with a westernised version - it doesn't matter where the key comes from just as long as it opens the door. And yes, that's a great video - I definitely need to meet that massage therapist! Glad you liked it!
Every time I hop on the Bus, there are hidden elements of a 30 year Time Machine!
I know! I didn't intend that at the beginning, but as The Bus evolves I'm finding a lot of things keep popping up in the comments, footnotes, etc.
I wish I was never such a great lyricist…I was hoping that version was merely a figment of my imagination
You were unquestionably a gifted lyricist. And poet, too, if I remember correctly: something about an 'academic martyr'? What's he up to these days?
Now those are some good tunes!
You need to know that I think of your version of 'Reminiscing' each and every single time I hear that song. Every. Single. Time. It's been permanently burned into my memory.
I’m so intrigued by acupuncture. I’m terrified of needles being inserted into me however. The benefits, and my curiosity, may outweigh my fear though... Only time will tell.
Acupuncture is NOTHING like an injection - the needles barely go into the skin and they're superfine. Give it a chance - I've found it very helpful for a number of things. My kids, too.
I’m glad to hear that. I may just have to try it out.