[pvaldes]

Western medicine is not "western", is THE medicine based in proved facts. Scientifically proven.

Anything that experimentally works, being chinese or icelandese, is included in medicine so there are a fair possibily that anything working in chinese medicine is yet included in medicine. The rest is just in the category of "dubious traditions, superstitions, fairy tales and non trustable until proven".

The basis if acupuncture is to selectively "stimulate" nerve fibers so the pain dissapears, but the nerve funcion is temporarily damaged. Is not different than blue scorpion poison against cancer, or being struck by an electric current. Killed nerves can't feel or transmit pain sensations but pain is an important defense system for animals. Anesthetics do not cure nerve issues, just hide the problem, as acupuncture does.

Sticking needles in a finger maybe could be acceptable. Touching the spine with several hot metal objects has a much higher risk and probably unaceptable in the balance of benefits and cons IMHO.