Baloo

Thanks, all, for the compliments - and Treacle, I really hope my post didn't come across as abrasive or condescending. In my defense, I'm still recovering from a weekend visit from my in-laws (I'm glad to say I married the sane one of that crew). Anyway, after enduring
1) hours of tongue-biting while my mother-in-law and sister-in-law discussed the middle names the SIL could change hers to in order to improve her numerological outlook (she needed more F's and V's, I think),
2) an absolute jaw-dropping moment when my MIL defended her brother (who believes in animal psychics) by saying "it's not his fault; Gemini's are notoriously gullible" and
3) SIL "talking" to crystal,
with this thread I finally had an opportunity to vent a bit (in my favorite fashion: parody).

I feel much better, by the way

Treacle Worshipper

Originally posted by Enai
The fact that you don't pay for the treatment is a (small) relief. And yes, the "theory" (as far as pseudoscientists understand that word) behind acupuncture is that there are little energy channels in/on your body (the quacks avoid being specific, for good reason) where the "energy flow" is "blocked" when you're ill. The stimulation by the needles is supposed to flush the drain - errr... stimulate energy flow.

ooookkaaaayyyy... Now I understand why she was so vague when I asked her how it worked. As if you could expect anyone with half a brain to not question that.

Unfortunately, noone has as of yet been able to locate these "energy channels" with means not consisting of a parchment with their locations depicted on it, or memorizing their locations. Unlike veins, arteries, nerves and lymph nodes they're invisible and undetectable by dissection! Convenient, don't you think?

Very convenient. And totally unsurprising

TW

Treacle Worshipper

Originally posted by Baloo
Thanks, all, for the compliments - and Treacle, I really hope my post didn't come across as abrasive or condescending.

No, not at all. "Hilarious" would be a much better description

In my defense, I'm still recovering from a weekend visit from my in-laws

That sounds like a torturous weekend. I'm glad you're feeling better.

If you feel the need to vent some more, you could always address Sabine's post about homeopathy in this thread. (I'm afraid I don't know how to link to individual posts; that's the right page.)

TW