Acupuncture - does it work?

ACUPUNCTURE has been needling sceptics since one plucky Chinese man thought it would be a good idea to stick pins in his skin 2,500 years ago.

Last week, a study found the therapy was more effective at relieving backache when employed alongside standard treatments than the standard treatments alone.

But the conclusions were not quite as sharp as the therapy’s four-inch needles.

Because it seems a “fake” version of acupuncture using toothpicks that didn’t penetrate the skin also produced positive results.

The trials involved 638 back pain sufferers. They were divided into groups receiving genuine acupuncture, toothpick acupuncture, and standard care alone.

After eight weeks 60 per cent of patients receiving acupuncture (including the phoney treatment) experienced “clinically meaningful” improvement, compared to 39 per cent of patients who received standard care.

So far so good. But those receiving the toothpick treatment were just as likely to report an improvement as those given the needle.

The report, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded that: “Although acupuncture was found effective for chronic low back pain, tailoring needling sites to each patient and penetration of the skin appear to be unimportant in eliciting benefits.”

So it would seem the finer points of acupuncture are a load of old hokum and anyone can do it? Well, before you start dotting your mattress with up-turned drawing pins, Tom Sydenham of the British Acupuncture Council offers a note of caution.

“The 365 pressure points aren’t random but follow prescribed pathways through the body, mostly over joints and muscle seams.

“Toothpicks could work but one school of thought says the mild pain caused by penetrating the skin by 1-2mm elicits endorphins.”

So what have other scientists found?

Researchers at the University of California found it could lower blood pressure, while Southampton University and University College London established it could relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. But another study claimed the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture compared to a placebo were so small they were clinically irrelevant.

So the jury’s still out. There was only one thing for it. We sent our promotions manager Sarah Cox (right) to an acupuncturist to relieve her chronic back pain – without a toothpick in sight.

Case study

Sarah Cox, 30, lives in St John’s Hill and has had back pain since childhood. She tried acupuncture for the first time.

The idea of someone sticking pins into my skin does not generally appeal. However, after suffering for years with a bad back, I was willing to try anything. I’ve had back and shoulder problems since childhood after falling down stairs – my back has been through the mill since, thanks to martial arts and snowboarding. Physio and chiropractic sessions haven’t worked as I still get a dull ache in my lower spine. So off I went to see Steve Kippax at his Piccadilly practice.

My scepticism gave way to belief. After a 25-minute consultation, I lay on my front, bracing myself for the first needle. But I was surprised not to feel any pain. However, after the first few tingly jabs, the one inserted into my shoulder did hurt. Once all 12 needles were in place, a heater was placed over my back. Within minutes I was deeply relaxed. After 20 minutes, the needles were removed and I felt a surge of energy – it was like a power nap! I may have been left with a blotchy back but the tension wasn’t there any more. My back and shoulders seemed looser. The dull ache had eased. I’ll definitely do another session.

A one-hour session with Steve Kippax costs £80. Third Space Health Club, 13 Sherwood Street, W1. www.thethirdspace.com/medicine