What a San Antonio Acupuncturist Wants You to Know About the Placebo Effect & Healing

As a San Antonio acupuncturist, I’ve seen acupuncture gain major traction for treating everything from chronic pain and anxiety to fertility and digestive issues. But with its growing popularity, one question still comes up time and again:

"Is acupuncture just the placebo effect?"

Let’s explore that, because when it comes to acupuncture in San Antonio (and beyond), the truth is far more interesting (and more empowering) than a simple yes or no.

The Origins of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, has been practiced for over 2,000 years, rooted in the philosophy that health is a reflection of balance within the body and harmony with the environment. Acupuncture, one of the primary tools of this system, works by stimulating specific points along the body’s meridians, channels through which qi (vital energy) flows. When qi is blocked or out of balance, physical and emotional symptoms arise.

By restoring the smooth flow of qi, acupuncture helps reduce pain, regulate organ systems, calm the nervous system, and support the body’s innate ability to heal.

What Is the Placebo Effect?

The placebo effect is a psychological and physiological phenomenon in which a person experiences real improvement in symptoms after receiving a treatment that has no direct therapeutic effect, simply because they believe it will help.

Far from being “fake” or deceptive, the placebo effect actually shows how powerful the mind-body connection is. Belief, expectation, and the therapeutic environment can all activate healing responses like endorphin release, lowered cortisol, and reduced inflammation.

So in that sense, the placebo effect isn’t bad, it’s proof that your mind has incredible influence over your healing process.

Is Acupuncture Just a Placebo?

It’s true that acupuncture often works better when the client believes in it, but this is not the only reason it’s effective. Acupuncture has been studied in animal models, infants, and even anesthetized patients, none of whom understand or expect results, yet still benefit.

Let me give you a personal example.

Meet Lio: Why the Placebo Argument Falls Apart

Photo: Taken by Dr. Turner-Parker

When my dog Lio was paralyzed from a tragic spinal injury, I turned to acupuncture as part of his recovery plan. He didn’t know what the needles were or why he was on the treatment table. He had no expectations, no belief system around qi, and no idea that this ancient technique was supposed to help him.

Yet he responded.

Lio’s pain visibly decreased. His range of motion improved from paralyzed to walking (and in some cases, running) on his own. His energy returned. The results weren’t subtle, and they weren’t imaginary.

That experience was a turning point for me. I had already studied acupuncture, but seeing its impact on an animal who could not be influenced by suggestion deeply confirmed what I knew intuitively: acupuncture works.

And no, it’s not just placebo.

Placebo and Acupuncture: Both Can Be Powerful

Let’s be clear: there’s no shame in benefiting from the placebo effect. It's a testament to how our thoughts, feelings, and environment shape our biology. And that's incredibly important. The right mindset is everything, but dismissing acupuncture as only placebo ignores:

• The thousands of years of empirical practice in East Asian medicine

• The neurophysiological research showing how acupuncture affects the brain, immune system, and connective tissue

• The millions of patients, human and animal alike, who experience measurable results

Acupuncture Stands on Its Own

The effectiveness of acupuncture goes far beyond the placebo effect. While the power of the mind is a valuable part of healing, acupuncture produces consistent, measurable outcomes, even in patients who have no idea what to expect.

Its impact on the nervous system, immune response, circulation, and pain modulation has been demonstrated in both modern research and centuries of clinical use. What sets acupuncture apart is that it treats both symptoms and root causes, using a system of medicine that sees the body as a connected whole.

Rather than dismissing acupuncture as a placebo, we should recognize it for what it is: a precise, time-tested, and holistic therapy that works.

Ready to Experience It for Yourself?

Contact us today to book a treatment!