The attitude of both sham and real acupuncturists determined the outcome of treatment.

Many people believe that Traditional Chinese acupuncture can relieve arthritic knee pain. Data from a clinical trial of 455 patients and 72 controls showed that the attitude of the acupuncturist greatly influenced the outcomes. When the acupuncturist (genuine or pretend) said to the patient, "I've had a lot of success with treating knee pain," the subjects reported much greater relief than when told, "this treatment may or may not work." The pretend practitioners also inserted the needles shallow and outside the traditional "meridians."

PositiveTip: Never forget that we are subject to the placebo effect, and it can powerfully influence the outcomes we experience.

Glucosamine probably offers little benefit for low back pain beyond the placebo effect.

Glucosamine is a very popular dietary supplement marketed widely as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Patients with imaging-based degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis and back pain for at least 6 months received either glucosamine or a placebo daily for 6 months, and were then followed for another 6 months. Both groups reported less pain after treatment, but there was no significant difference between the groups.

PositiveTip: Remember, the placebo effect is very powerful, and often results in benefits equal to a popular treatment.