Which statement best explains the scientific claim about how acupuncture treatment reduces pain? Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that uses wire-thin needles inserted by a trained practitioner into specific points in the body. Those who doubt the effectiveness of this treatment for pain attribute the pain relief to a placebo effect: if a patient believes something will reduce their pain, they will experience some relief. This ancient form of pain relief and stimulation is said to benefit patients by blocking channels which practitioners claim allow pain to travel within the body. For anyone considering acupuncture treatment, they should first research its effectiveness for their specific condition.