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deleted50478
Actually I agree for the most part. While I strongly believe that what I do is not just d/t the placebo effect, I know that my modality is a strong "carrier" of it [edit - see Ted Kaptchuk's research on acupuncture placebo vs. pill placebo]. I also entertain the slight possiblity that acupuncture might only have non-specific and placebo effects. I doubt it, and I am not losing any sleep over it, but as a scientist I always have to be open to the possibility.
As I was discussing this thread with my fiance (also an acupuncturist), I did realize something: the effects of my acupuncture treatments has improved with experience. If the effects of acupuncture are only due to non-specific and placebo effects, then my experience should not matter. My improved ability to properly diagnose should not matter. My improved ability to develop a tailored treatment protocol should not matter. My improved needling ability should not matter.
But it does.
Granted, as a person grows with experience, their confidence rises. This would in turn be transmitted to the patient, which could improve the possiblity of a postive placebo-based outcome.
The question would be would this increased confidence / improved placebo really be sufficient enough to explain my improved patient outcomes. Personally, I doubt it.
Maybe you should involve yourself in a trial where you are the one delivering traditional acupuncture. Until you or anyone else can demonstrate an effect other than your own self-serving, unscientific claims of efficacy, I will base my views on the best available evidence. Acupuncture ~= Sham acupuncture.