[XorNot]

The problem with acupuncture is that the relative effectiveness compared to placebos has gotten worse and worse as better placebos have been developed for trials.

I.e. you mentioned "sticking a needle next to the right nerve" - that's a valid research question...and it was studied. Turns out sticking needles where an acupuncture specialist thinks they should go, versus just randomly has the same reported effect in trials.

[thelaxiankey]

Oh huh. Just quickly glancing, it seems that indeed you may be right, at least for a lot of the standard things it's used to treat. The exception seems to be allergies?

I'm not sure that invalidates my broader point in any case, but good to know!

[hattmall]

Can you expound on "better placebos" are you speaking in the context of acupuncture exclusively?

[somenameforme]

That is what this article is about.