Comments on Still no evidence acupuncture worksTypePad2005-05-01T19:35:12ZSkepticohttps://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2005/05/still_no_eviden/comments/atom.xml/BronzeDog commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d834a47bbb69e22006-01-25T17:24:28Z2007-08-17T09:32:37ZBronzeDoghttp://rockstarramblings.blogspot.com/A little bit more: Using the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method...<p>A little bit more:</p>
<p><b>Using the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method of treatment (5000 years old) is never going to be enough to prove or disapprove. It's like using our human telescope to look at the universe, but how far CAN we see, and how much COULD we know???</b></p>
<p>Sounds like "How do you prove photography to a blind man?" You might want to click on that link in the "Classic Posts" section on the right. Science isn't about tools. It's about method. I fail to see how something with an observable effect couldn't be revealed in a DBCT. Perhaps someone would like to enlighten me?</p>BronzeDog commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d834a47b9469e22006-01-25T17:14:23Z2007-08-17T09:32:37ZBronzeDoghttp://rockstarramblings.blogspot.com/Sorry, Grace, but I don't have god-like perception abilities. That's why an acupuncture experience wouldn't be convincing: My senses are...<p>Sorry, Grace, but I don't have god-like perception abilities. That's why an acupuncture experience wouldn't be convincing: My senses are easily tricked. I've seen it happen. I don't see how I could rule out my own mental trickery as a cause for any apparent changes if I do nothing to filter that out.</p>
<p>That's what double-blind placebo-controlled studies are about: They work to filter out all our human psychological tricks.</p>
<p>Placebo = Psychological tricks + Coincidental recovery.</p>
<p>Treatment = Psychological ticks + coincidental recovery + any physical effects.</p>
<p>Do the math: If a placebo group experiences the same amount of recovery as the treatment group, it means there's likely no physical effect. If there is a significant difference, then there likely is an effect.</p>Skeptico commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d8346f0ea253ef2006-01-25T17:00:10Z2007-08-17T09:30:00ZSkepticoGrace: Re: Using the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method of treatment...<p>Grace:</p>
<p>Re: <b> Using the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method of treatment (5000 years old) is never going to be enough to prove or disapprove. </b></p>
<p>If something has an effect it can be measured. That is all that it means to use science. (And science is more than a few hundred years old – over 2000 years old in fact: Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth in the 3rd century BC.) This comment of yours is just a lame fallacious <a href="http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2005/10/the_appeal_to_o.html" rel="nofollow">appeal to other ways of knowing.</a></p>
<p>What tool would you use to determine if acupuncture works?</p>
<p>Re: <b>It's like using our human telescope to look at the universe, but how far CAN we see, and how much COULD we know??? </b></p>
<p>Yes but what tool could see further? And what tool did the ancient Chinese have that enabled them to see further than we can see now? How did they work out all this stuff that science can’t even measure now?</p>
<p>Re: <b> For those skeptical about acupuncture I'd suggest they try it out themselves, especially those who are so chronically ill and nothing else works for them. Then come back here to post your comment. </b></p>
<p>A flawed method at best. Biased data selection from personal experience is not the way to arrive at what works and what doesn’t.</p>
<p>Re: <b> Disbelieve comes from the lacking of experience and a narrow mind. </b></p>
<p>Another lame and fallacious argument. This time an <a href="http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2005/10/the_appeal_to_b.html" rel="nofollow">appeal to be open minded.</a> But are you too closed-minded to accept that maybe acupuncture doesn’t work? Because if you refuse to accept it doesn’t work, despite numerous trials that show it doesn’t, then you are the closed-minded one.</p>Diathermic commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d8346f0ef853ef2006-01-25T16:50:56Z2007-08-17T09:31:25ZDiathermicHey Grace, Fritz Pearl said it best, “A fear of knowing is a fear of doing.”<p>Hey Grace, Fritz Pearl said it best, “A fear of knowing is a fear of doing.”</p>Grace commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d834a4754e69e22006-01-25T16:13:42Z2007-08-17T09:31:12ZGraceUsing the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method of treatment (5000 years...<p>Using the currently available scientific tools (100 years old at most) to investigate an ancient method of treatment (5000 years old) is never going to be enough to prove or disapprove. It's like using our human telescope to look at the universe, but how far CAN we see, and how much COULD we know???</p>
<p>For those skeptical about acupuncture I'd suggest they try it out themselves, especially those who are so chronically ill and nothing else works for them. Then come back here to post your comment.</p>
<p>Disbelieve comes from the lacking of experience and a narrow mind. </p>Castillonis commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d834954ea469e22005-11-11T06:43:23Z2007-08-19T05:43:04ZCastillonisA paper available at www.annals.org gives some background on acupuncture and lists numerous studies that have been published. http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/136/5/374.pdf Academia...<p>A paper available at www.annals.org gives<br />
some background on acupuncture and lists<br />
numerous studies that have been published.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/136/5/374.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/136/5/374.pdf</a><br />
Academia and Clinic<br />
Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD<br />
"Acupuncture: Theory, Efficacy, and Practice</p>
<p>Kaptchuk lists post operative dental pain as<br />
something that may be treated effectively<br />
using acupuncture. The paper also gives<br />
some possible acupuncture mechanisms, but<br />
does not discuss the mechanisms in detail.<br />
There is some constructive criticism of <br />
the research that is cited.</p>
<p>1. "acupuncture analgesia may be initiated by stimulation in the muscles, of high-threshold, small-diameter nerves. ... EDITED ... Which, in turn, trigger endogenous opioids (for example endorphins and enkephalins) or stress-related hormones (for example, adrenocortiotropic hormone)" (379 Kaptchuk, OMD)</p>
<p>2. "... one mechanism of acupuncture may be a form of stimulation for the gene expression of neuropeptides (84,85)." (379 Kaptchuk, OMD)</p>
<p>3. Functional MRI acupunture point related to vision, activated by occipital lobe region ... located on lateral aspect of foot<br />
(380 Kaptchuk, OMD)</p>dealga commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83478099669e22005-05-04T17:39:00Z2007-08-17T02:00:13Zdealgahttp://dealga.blogspot.com/2005/05/deny.htmlwell done for highlighting this guff. Wrote about it myself after the same story appeared in the Observer. Fact is...<p>well done for highlighting this guff. Wrote about it myself after the same story appeared in the Observer. Fact is most people who say acupuncture works would be better off spending time with a shrink</p>Skeptico commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83477d7eb69e22005-05-03T15:02:42Z2007-08-17T01:41:23ZSkepticoThat's a good explanation Thomas. Thanks.<p>That's a good explanation Thomas. Thanks.</p>Thomas Wilburn commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d834426b5253ef2005-05-03T13:22:04Z2007-08-17T01:40:32ZThomas Wilburnhttp://www.milezero.orgSkeptico said: "Do I understand correctly that pinyin Romanization is the way Chinese people write their language in roman letters?...<p>Skeptico said:</p>
<p>"Do I understand correctly that pinyin Romanization is the way Chinese people write their language in roman letters?</p>
<p>If so, how do they pronounce “chi”?"</p>
<p>Chi is the most natural sounding--the vowel is pronounced as in English. Qi is the "accented" version. For most intents and purposes, English-speakers can pronounce chi and qi the same, just the way it looks. Because English doesn't have tones, we butcher Mandarin anyway, so leaving the umlaut off is relatively minor. It's just good to know that although the pronunciation is almost the same, the meaning can be very different.</p>
<p>When actually trying to speak Mandarin, on the other hand, it's very significant, and very difficult for Americans to do correctly. I got a lot of stares from people when I was there for a month, only to be "clarified" by my professor with a word that sounded (to me) exactly the same. Talk about frustrating. It takes a lot of practice.</p>
<p>Pinyin is the romanization system used by the mainland Chinese, and is the official system of the PRC. Taiwan (and to some extent Hong Kong, if I remember correctly) still uses the old system, Wade-Giles. I think the new system is less confusing, personally, but neither of them is necessarily "intuitive" for non-Mandarin use. For example, the same q/ch structure also exists for j/zh and x/sh. </p>
<p>This isn't a big deal, really, and I wasn't taking exception with your usage. It just looked to me like there was an implied question in your parenthetical.</p>Skeptico commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83477c6b669e22005-05-03T01:29:35Z2007-08-17T01:34:30ZSkepticoRe: I like Richard's idea of evaluating the insular cortex/endorphine axis using a good kick to the balls. Yes, I...<p>Re:</p>
<p><b>I like Richard's idea of evaluating the insular cortex/endorphine axis using a good kick to the balls. </b></p>
<p>Yes, I imagine a good kick to the balls would make you forget about your arthritis pain for a bit.</p>Skeptico commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83477c68369e22005-05-03T01:27:33Z2007-08-17T01:34:18ZSkepticoThomas: Do I understand correctly that pinyin Romanization is the way Chinese people write their language in roman letters? If...<p>Thomas:</p>
<p>Do I understand correctly that pinyin Romanization is the way Chinese people write their language in roman letters?</p>
<p>If so, how do they pronounce “chi”?<br />
</p>Skeptico commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83442593c53ef2005-05-02T23:54:22Z2007-08-17T01:34:55ZSkepticoComments originally posted by Mike in bold: I think you're a bit off base in your analysis here. You seem...<p>Comments originally posted by Mike in bold:</p>
<p><b>I think you're a bit off base in your analysis here. You seem to be confusing the finding of an effect related to pain "modulation" with the "sensing" of pain. Of course having a needle stuck in you will cause anyone to feel pain. But I think they're saying these needles cause the body to produce natural opiates to alleviate pain in excess of what the body might produce specifically for that needle's injury, and in other areas, such as helping with back pain or a headache. </b></p>
<p>I think you are confused. First, the study showed that the sham acupuncture (placebo needles) stimulated the natural opiates the same as the real needles. The article’s claim, remember, is that acupuncture is “more than a placebo”.</p>
<p>Second, there was no attempt to demonstrate opiates are produced “in excess of what the body might produce specifically for that needle's injury” - you are just assuming that.</p>
<p>Third, the effect produced by the real needles only (ie, the thing all the fuss is about), is not about opiates, it is about the insular region of the brain being excited. See this information on the <a href="http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/en/pain/microsite/science2.html" rel="nofollow">parieto-insular cortex:</a></p>
<blockquote><b>'Pain centres'</b>
<p>Second, there is growing evidence that the parieto-insular cortex is crucial for pain processing in the brain. </p>
<p>(Snip)</p>
<p><b>In addition, functional imaging studies in humans, and maps of electrical responses to laser-induced pain, indicate strong activation of the parieto-insular cortex during pain. </b></blockquote></p>
<p>(My bold.)</p>
<p>So the parieto-insular cortex becomes activated during pain. This is the big discovery they are crowing about – it becomes activated when they stick needles in someone, but not when they just pretend to stick needles in. Like I said, big surprise!</p>
<p><b>I'm as skeptical of the existance of "qi" or accupuncture's ability to affect it as you are. But I'm not as skeptical about the possibility the body can be "tricked" into an effective pain response by needles or other means. I don't think it is manipulation of qi, just some other mechanism we don't understand yet. </b></p>
<p>Even if true, that’s not acupuncture.</p>
<p>btw thanks for the comments on the blog. Glad you like it.</p> commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83477b61269e22005-05-02T17:59:49Z2007-08-17T01:29:31ZActivation of the insular cortex also occurs with emotional content, which a needle would evoke. The release of central endorphins...<p>Activation of the insular cortex also occurs with emotional content, which a needle would evoke. The release of central endorphins does not seem like much of a big deal either; endorphins do not normally rise to physiological levels that provide adequate pain relief from really painful stimuli without extreme emotional content or high levels of sympathetic arousal. </p>
<p>But I like Richard's idea of evaluating the insular cortex/endorphine axis using a good kick to the balls. (Probably hard to find volunteers for the study.) I bet acupuncture would fail under such conditions.</p>
<p>For acupuncture to work, my guess is that you need informed test subjects paired with the right experimenter (preferably, Chinese) in the right place at the right time and then sometimes it might work a little bit with a mild enough stimulus. Wait a minute; that's the placebo effect. </p>Thomas Wilburn commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83442484253ef2005-05-02T16:01:23Z2007-08-17T01:27:57ZThomas Wilburnhttp://www.milezero.orgIt's called "qi" but pronounced "chi" because it's Chinese, and the pinyin romanization system already uses "ch." Both ch and...<p>It's called "qi" but pronounced "chi" because it's Chinese, and the pinyin romanization system already uses "ch." Both ch and q have basically the same sound as far as the consanant goes, but one of them (I think it's the q, but my Mandarin is rusty) signals that the following vowel will be pronounced as if it had an umlaut. So "chi" and "qi" actually sound very different, and have different meanings (even before tonal differences). It's easier to explain when you can hear it.</p>Mike commented on 'Still no evidence acupuncture works'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451df0c69e200d83477a23669e22005-05-02T04:35:28Z2007-08-17T01:24:13ZMikeRichard, I think you're a bit off base in your analysis here. You seem to be confusing the finding of...<p>Richard,</p>
<p>I think you're a bit off base in your analysis here. You seem to be confusing the finding of an effect related to pain "modulation" with the "sensing" of pain. Of course having a needle stuck in you will cause anyone to feel pain. But I think they're saying these needles cause the body to produce natural opiates to alleviate pain in excess of what the body might produce specifically for that needle's injury, and in other areas, such as helping with back pain or a headache.</p>
<p>I'm as skeptical of the existance of "qi" or accupuncture's ability to affect it as you are. But I'm not as skeptical about the possibility the body can be "tricked" into an effective pain response by needles or other means. I don't think it is manipulation of qi, just some other mechanism we don't understand yet.</p>
<p>Great work on the blog recently!</p>
<p>Mike </p>