It has worked for me numerous times. I had a bad case of sciatica 10 years ago. I went to a massage therapist and a chiropractor, and both were not able to alleviate the pain. After going to a TCM Dr. and receiving acupunture once, it was gone.
I have been hit by two cars while riding my bike. The second time was quite serious, with many months of recovery. Acupuncture was instrumental in pain management afterwards, both times.
It absolutely worked better than a placebo for me, and for many other people I know. The only study I have read was a German one, which stated that acupuncture, even sham acupuncture) worked better conventional therapies (drugs, physio, and exercise). In different studies, prayer has shown to have had an effect as well. The placebo effect shows how powerful one's attitude toward recovery and healing is.
It doesn't work for everyone that is true. When my brother had back pain, it didn't work for him. What the TCM DR told him was if it doesn't work for you after 3 tries, then it won't be helpful at all. (A much more honest way of providing health care, than getting people addicted to pain killers!)
For most of the people that I know who have used it, it has worked close to 75 or 80% of the time. (Granted, I know people who are more open to alternative medicine.) It worked for me 100%, and I would recommend it to anyone who has pain to at least try it.
