Here is what I have found to be the definitive source for published articles about medical clinical trials and studies on treating xerostomia. My thanks to Dr. Ge of the NIH for pointing me to this source. As she told me, acupuncture, like any MEDICAL treatment, is not 100% effective.

Here is the site: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/19234425

Lefty

wow, digging up a three year old thread. I think it's important to note there is no treatment, medical, or so called holistic. or Eastern or new age woo woo that is 100% effective for xerostomia that I know of. But when it's less than 50 effective and mostly placebo, like acupuncture, some of us find that argument less than persuasive. Obviously, I disagree with your statement that the placebo effect of accupuncture has been disproven. This NIH reported study certainly does not show that, in fact, it throws in question the very basis of accupuncture. randomized accupuncture trial

Still, it does not hurt to try, (except for your pocketbook), and my prothodontist who specializes in oral cancer, sends his more "open" patients for accupuncture (he only smiled when I replied: you mean suggestible?) although he was pretty certain it would not help me and did not recommend it.
I liked the clinical trials that used "fake" accupuncture, that is, they felt like needles but were not, and found the same results as "real" accupuncture, but as you know, there are lots and lots of accupuncture studies with enough different conclusions for everyone. Also not generally a good sign.
Charm

Ive heard positive outcomes about using acupuncture from a couple people and my dietician. Sorry Im not familiar with any studies or trials to prove it is effective. I just have heard some good things about it.

Kinda like the Manuka honey. I was very skeptical until members had success with it. I think there have been studies that have come out since that time. But it may be effective and helpful to some people.

Im not one to put alot of faith in things other than conventional medicines and treatments. But at the same time, in some situations where its not harmful to try a different procedure or over the counter item, it may be worth a shot. Im for anything that helps get us thru this the easiest way with the best results.

Adding my own uneducated 2 cents

I never had accupunture for Xerostomia or Lymphdemia, but I did have it 14 years ago for severe sciatica due to a herniated disc recurrence, and was out of work for a month, and bed ridden. I tried everything, chiropractic, physical therapy, pain meds, anti-inflammatory, cortisone, moist heat, etc. and nothing worked. Finally I went to a Chinese acupuncturist doctor practicing here, had to pay out of pocket, and had some relief that night for the first time in a month, and slept very well. The acupuncturist told me when I got home I would urinate the toxins out, and go to sleep, which is what happened. In 4 weeks I had no pain, no meds, could walk normally, and returned to work with no low back problems since. What I was told it reduces inflammation, and cuts off the pain signal (switch) to the brain.

I would try accupuncture one day for H&N, but would speak with my conventional physicians first being so much was done there.

My husband has been receiving acupuncture treatment for 4 years. He had been completely dry for over three years the first time he had treatment. We were optimistic but hopeful. Within ten minutes he had saliva. It was a miracle to us. The drawback is there is only one Doctor that I could find to successfully treat him and he is in Maryland (we live in Seattle). On the other hand, this Doctor is amazing and worth the travel! We love this Doctor; he is worth a million bucks to us! I would be very open to elaborate on this subject to anyone who wants to hear!

Not all acupuncturists are made equal.

Oh, how interesting this all is! I, myself am seeing an acupuncturist to "assist" in my conventional treatment for PBC (Primary Biliary Cirrhosis) with my Doctor's blessings. Obviously, I take meds for this condition. My recent blood tests showed normal liver function (obviously the meds) but as my Doc said, who knows, the acupuncture could be helping! I am a believer in "complimentary" therapies as long as you follow the conventional method first. So.....I am giving my husband a little "Reiki Healing" daily in the H&N area. Who knows if it's working or not? The main thing is it gives him comfort (it's like therapeutic touch that some nurses do with sick babies) and it's not doing any harm. There are some "bogus" healers out there though and I would only go with someone who was highly recommended and then research them. I wouldn't believe anyone who says they can "cure" a disease. Important to follow your doctor's instructions and do what has been proven to heal/cure the disease. Anything else is an "assist" and entirely up to the individual.

In all I tried four different protocols and none worked and I am now 1 year post treatment with no saliva other than what I get when I take my Pilocarine pills.

I was never able to get enough info on the several clinical tests that were run to determine at what stage of recovery were the trial patients. I don't see how there could be enough patients at the same stages and enough stages to get accurate results.

I want to post some good news. 18 months out of treatment, with only a very small amount of saliva, I tried acupuncture for dry mouth again. I got significant saliva immediately after my first treatment. This continued all day long, producing enough to be able to actually spit saliva.

I've been seeing a new acupuncturist to see if acupuncture could help my peripheral neuropathy, based upon my Oncology radiologist's recommendation that she'd read that it has been helpful. It did not help me. However, I decided that since I was at the acupuncturist I'd have her give a shot at the dry mouth. I did not show her the info that I had on acupuncture protocols, she used her own, simpler than all the other protocols that I've tried: Success!

One factor that I'd never been able to find in the reviews of the clinical testing of acupuncture is how far out from the end of treatment were the subjects in the trials. Obviously that is a factor that needs be considered.

I go back for a second treatment tomorrow.

I will keep you posted as to developments.

HURRAH!

Yeah... Sometimes it's not about the treatment but the person supplying it...