Accupuncture.. does it really work?

[Mike Evans]

I have had acupuncture for various reasons, and with various results. Never much pain, much less than getting a shot! More like someone pulling out a single arm-hair (you may also experience some other neat things which I don't really think qualify as pain). I think the effectiveness is partially up to the skill of the practitioner, & the patient's participation in the healing process. I personnally swear by it. I look at it this way: TCM has been around in one form or another for over 4000 years, and the Chinese population accounts for about 1/4th of the world population--something must be working (not to mention another full 1/4 that is asian and tend to use similar healing methods)! I also use TCM principlaes in my massage therapy practice with great results!

[daodejing]

To answer both questions in order:

Yes.

As for the second question, sometimes. But not always.

[Firbolg]

Having loads of needles inserted doesn't sound like fun and the idea that it actually does any good seems far fetched but it appears to be damn popular all over the world so does it really work?

Perhaps even more important - does it hurt??