ACUPUNCTURE - CAN IT TAKE THE PAIN AWAY

Acupuncture is growing in popularity in most Western countries and con tinues to be a major form of medicine in China and Japan, In the USA, an estimated ten million consultations for acupuncture take place each year, Many scientists regard acupuncture, like many other 'alternativ e' therapies, as an over-dressed placebo that fulfils a need for mysti cism and ancient ritual. But if we dismiss acupuncture in this way, ar e we rejecting an opportunity to learn more about the body's response to pain?