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I have done acupuncture off and on since I was first diagnosed. The main thing that it is beneficial for, is slowing down the progression oif the disease, especially if treatment is begun early. I have an article out of a chinese medical journal which describes this. The most benefiucial type of acupuncture is a type called scalp acupuncture. It is primarily used for stroke victims, but has also been applied to other neurological problems. There are a couple of more immediate benefits as well. It can give one instant symptom relief for a few hours. I think that that comes also from the fact that the treatment itlf is usually very relaxing. I've also used it for other problems either tied to my pd (constipation) or compounded by it (like sinus infections). Since I'm on so many drugs for my pd itself, I want to minimize any others I might need to take. The acupuncture really does have a quick effect on these types of things for me, some of them within hours. I definitely think it's worth it, cuz acupncture is supposed to bring your body back into balance, and that's a good place to look not only for relief from pd, but also relief from anything else, which can complicate one's ability to deal. I was once at a big pd meeting, and decided to stand up and ask some questions about research into alternative medicine and pd, and why that sort of thing was never presented at these meetings. Anyway, shortly after my turm, another lady got up to say that she had tried acupuncture before but that is was no good really cuz it didn't heal her. Well duh! Would have to be my answer to that statement. None of the drugs we pop every day has cured anyonr, non of the surgeries have, etc., but we still use them anyway. People don't seem to use t he same type of ctiteria on alternative as they do on western medicine. It's almost as if they have higher expectations for the alternative ones and in my opinion, anything that helps is worth doing. Things like acupuncture which are noninvasive, safe, and all that, are at least a good of a form of treatment as is any other at the moment. Wendy T.