Is there any scientific evidence to suggest that acupuncture works?
Research suggests that acupuncture can help manage certain pain conditions, but evidence about its value for other health issues is uncertain. The effects of acupuncture on the brain and body and how best to measure them, are only beginning to be understood. [1]
I fully agree that Acupuncture, and Natural Medicine in general, should be based on scientific evidence, but there are at least 2 challenges with that:
1. Science is not always welcome when gets in the way with business, or power.[6-9]
2. What works for you, may not work for others, so it may be difficult to generalize.
According to Cambridge dictionary, this is the definition of science: (knowledge from) the careful study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world, especially by watching, measuring, and doing experiments, and the development of theories to describe the results of these activities [2]
When it comes to Natural Medicine[3] (Naturopathy), we can say that it's a body of practices aimed to restore optimum health in the individual, and based on empiricism. In philosophy, empiricism is a theory that states that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. [4]
According to the above definitions , when natural medicine is not based on the assumptions of a particular Natural Doctor (ND), but rather on scientific evidence, we can say that it's scientific.
For example, the effects of Garlic on the cardiovascular system are documented in clinical studies, [5] so if a ND or a MD suggest Garlic, it will not go against scientific evidence.
Today there is conflict of interest with the food industry, trying to push governments to have a blind eye on junk food, including soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco, processed food and sugar.
According to Cancer Research UK, colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in UK. The World Health Organization concluded in 2015, that there is enough evidence to classify processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans,". They also classified red meat as "probably carcinogenic." [6]
In the life science industry, DDT (a trichloroethane), was a pesticide developed by Monsanto in the 1950s, and it was sold as safe for humans and the environment. 10 years later, it was withdrawn from the market, due to mounting evidence of its carcinogenic effects on humans. [7]
The modern culture of 'A pill will fix it', is in deep contrast with the principles of Natural Medicine, that focus on the root cause of the disease. As a result of managing symptoms, antibiotic resistance, and addiction to painkillers have become a global issue. [8][9]
[1] https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-in-depth
[2] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/science
[3] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/blog3/2020-06-06-19-47-32
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
[6] https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2015/processed-meat-cancer/en/
[7]
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status
[8] https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/painkillers-fuel-growth-in-drug-addiction
[9] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance
