What is Acupuncture, by Harriet Hall, MD

Philip Copitch, Ph.D. – 

Author of Basic Parenting 101: The Manual Your Child Should Have Been Born With

According to Dr. Hall, none of the following are true about acupuncture:

• It’s an ancient Chinese treatment method.
• Involves sticking needles in acupoints
• It’s widely used in China.
• Works to relieve pain and nausea.
• Works for other conditions like infertility.
• Can be used for surgical anesthesia.
• Is harmless – no side effects.
• Has been validated by scientific research

What you think you know about acupuncture is most likely incorrect.

The James Randi Educational Foundation, and Dr. Harriet Hall, have developed 10 free video courses looking at critical thinking and medical claims called Science-Based Medicine. The lectures are:

1. Science-Based Medicine vs. Evidence-Based Medicine

2. What Is CAM?

3. Chiropractic

4. Acupuncture

5. Homeopathy

6. Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine

7. Energy Medicine

8. Miscellaneous “Alternatives”

9. Pitfalls in Research

10.Science-Based Medicine in the Media and Politics

There is also a free course guide.

Lecture 4: Acupuncture, by Harriet Hall, MD (32 minute)