OMFG! This pisses me off!

[laconicsax]

Acupuncture is the placing of needles in specific locations to cause a specific effect.

If the location doesn't make a difference or the effects are generalized, acupuncture has been falsified: The method by which the 'treatment' is administered is bullshit!

Why can't people understand this very simple idea?!?! :banghead:

[trotsky]

1. That's a hallmark of woo.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

So if sticking someone with lots of needles seems to make *something* happen, then AUTOMATICALLY everything about acupuncture is true - ancient Chinese secret, chi, blah blah. Because really, if you've turned off rational thinking in the first place, nothing's going to stop you. You're on the woo express and it's got no brakes.

[Orrex]

2. Perhaps you recall that acupuncture is 5,000 years old

Even though fine metal-drawing techniques have only been around for a few hundred years, and even though the early references are to stout spikes used for bloodletting. See? They were using needle-ish things to do things to people's bodies.

Therefore acupuncture in its modern chi-centric formulation must be literally and absolutely true!

[laconicsax]

3. What I don't get is why they don't go all out.

The first emperor of China died of mercury poisoning from taking magic immortality pills, you would think that after 5000 years, TCM practitioners would have worked out the kinks and they'd be making a fortune from selling those mercury pills.

[trotsky]

4. I'm thinking I'd like to have some Ham den Rice.

It's a tasty meal. Recommended by 9 out of 10 ancient Chinese acupuncturists.

[charlie]

5. Ugh. I hope that crap isn't on the menu again. n/t