As a physiotherapist I have been doing acupuncture for seven years now. It has become probably the most important treatment method I use.

I have found that it is not necessary to obey the rules of chinese medicine. Very simply done electroacupuncture works best. In the short run real acupuncture points and manual/electrical needle simulation gives better pain relief, but in the long run simply inserting the needles is enough to stimulate the healing process.

So I am not surprised by the study findings. However, by no means is it possible to just explain all the scientific and clinical evidence of effectiviness to the plasebo effect. Even the strictest meta analysis are starting to be positive. Actually in most indications acupuncture has stronger evidence than manual therapy.