The article does not include any information on the cost of acupuncture or on whether insurers cover this for any indications. The story notes how many women in the acupuncture and sham treatment groups were still having hot flashes at the end of the active treatment part of the trial. The story states that women in the study reported no adverse effects. The story clearly describes how the study was done, and how researchers attempted to ensure that women did not know whether they were getting the ‘real’ treatment or the placebo. The article does a commendable, well-balanced job of explaining that hot flashes can vary widely in both how severe and how bothersome they are. Article cites an author of the study, another expert, and a National Institutes of Health consensus document. Other options for dealing with menopausal hot flashes are reviewed, along with their shortcomings. However, this section was brief and could have discussed many other options which have known benefit. The story notes that acupuncture is used worldwide. Article notes that acupuncture has been used for more than 2,000 years. There is no evidence that this story relied on a news release.
Flash: No Needles. Acupuncture No Better Than Placebo for Hot Flashes