As in many areas, there is evidence both for and against the effectiveness of acupuncture. There is good evidence that it IS effective for certain conditions, however, so I don’t believe it should be automatically dismissed. For example:
A scientific review of 16 clinical trials found acupuncture to be effective against dental pain. One study in 1995 showed that pain relief after dental surgery doubled compared to patients receiving placebo or false acupuncture. Other studies in 1999 and 2000 found similar results.
New research from Italy has discovered that out of 80 women receiving acupuncture over six months, fewer reported migraine attacks than those taking painkillers.
In addition, at least 26 randomly controlled trials have shown that acupuncture is proven to be effective against headaches. In 12 of 16 trials comparing acupuncture with a placebo, acupuncture was reported to be significantly more effective.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-149339/Acupuncture-scientific-evidence.html#ixzz1p7mvC1IO
On the other hand, there is also plenty of evidence that many traditional medical approaches are completely ineffective, but that doesn’t seem to have any effect on their (expensive and often harmful) use.
For example:
Coronary-bypass surgery consumes more of our medical dollar than any other treatment or procedure. Although it is performed less frequently than the most common abdominal and gynecological operations, it is the leader in terms of equipment and personnel, hospital space, and total associated revenues. The operation is heralded by the popular press, aggrandized by the medical profession, and actively sought by the consuming public. It is the epitome of modern medical technology. Yet as it is now practiced, its net effect on the nation’s health is probably negative. The operation does not cure patients, it is scandalously overused, and its high cost drains resources from other areas of need.
Fully half of the bypass operations performed in the United States are unnecessary. A decade of scientific study has shown that except in certain well-defined situations, bypass surgery does not save lives, or even prevent heart attacks: among patients who suffer from coronary-artery disease, those who are treated without surgery enjoy the same survival rates as those who undergo open-heart surgery. Yet many American physicians continue to prescribe surgery immediately upon the appearance of angina, or chest pain.
http://drcranton.com/chelation/cabg1.htm