A variety of things effect PERCEPTION of benefit. If you are less than 2 years out from radiation, there is very small monthly, incremental, increases in salivary output from the remaining (usually submandibular) gland that gets very little radiation in most cases. This continues for approximate 18-20 months after treatment, so a sense of improvement in the 14th month for instance may not have anything to do with acupuncture, if it was being tried at the same time. There is an adaptive biological process that is also part psychological. I have learned to keep my mouth shut more over the last couple of years, and surprisingly enough that helps reduce my need for constant sips of water. I now do this subconsciously, and I also drink less water. I guess if someone asked me I would say my need for water is reduced now. If I had been having acupuncture at the same time, which do you think I would assume caused it? A treatment, or an adaptive behavior that I wasn't completely conscious of? When I feel congested and start mouth breathing subconsciously, I am more dependent on the bottle; nose spray (decongestant) again helps me keep my mouth closed. Adaptive behavior on a conscious level.

I bet anyone here that if they put a small piece of candy in their mouth for a while, that it will cause whatever salivary function that they have left, no matter how small, to increase. I just find it amazing that instead of looking at the obvious answer to something, (which is usually the simplest) people will invariably attach the result to something less likely. Human nature