“I don’t believe in acupuncture…”

Recently asked about whether she had ever tried acupuncture, a friend at the park replied, “I don’t believe in it.”

She was pretty firm in her non-belief. She did not have stories about people with bad experiences. She did say that she knew plenty of people who used acupuncture. She went right on to say that the mind is powerful, and that she is comfortable with the idea that these people willed themselves to feel better through their “belief” in acupuncture. So it  sounds like she is fine with the placebo effect, but that was all she’d give me.

So I asked the obvious question: “What about animals?” It is plenty easy to come by cases where animals are suffering, receive acupuncture treatment, and have alleviation of symptoms. Babies too. Do dogs think to themselves, “Yes! Here comes a magical acupuncture needle! It’s going to cure all my ills…I knew it! It worked!” ? 

Nope.

That’s not to dismiss placebo effect. The mind is very powerful, and placebo effect is known to be at play in Eastern and Western therapies alike…even surgery. And a postive mental outlook will likely enhance the body’s ability to heal.

But, do you have to be a believer for acupuncture to work? No.

Lots of people really come to acupuncture as a last resort, after years, even decades, of trying everything else. These people are true skeptics. Often, someone has pushed them to try acupuncture, and they finally give in, just to get it over with. I’ve heard it lots of time. For example, “My wife made me come here. I don’t have time for this. I don’t really even get it. You want to stick needles in me? And that’s supposed to help?”

These are the patients who question it all. “How long have you been doing this?” “Is it safe?” “What’s that spot you’re pressing?” “You want me to stick out my tongue? What on earth for?”

They come back. Almost every time. Usually quite surprised that they are feeling better. Because the great thing about acupuncture is that people don’t have to believe in it to get results. Although these people, the ones who were dragged in, often become great advocates for acupuncture. They’ll tell people they are getting acupuncture. They’ll say, “I know! Sounds crazy! I never thought I’d do it! But it is helping my (arthritis pain, sleep, digestion, headaches, whatever).”

If you don’t believe in acupuncture, but are curious to try it, community acupuncture is the way to go. Because at least you didn’t go broke checking it out.

http://www.beachcommunityacupuncture.com