<p>The finding will vindicate those who have spent hundreds of pounds on acupuncture for bad backs, sprained ankles and other aches and pains.<br /><br />The research team from the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, studied whether acupuncture affected how the brain reacted to electric shocks, reports the Daily Mail.<br /><br />A group of volunteers underwent sophisticated brain scans at the same time as an electric shock was applied to their left ankle, according to a University Hospital statement.<br /><br />Acupuncture needles were then placed at three places on the right side - between the toes, below the knee and near the thumb - and the electric current switched back on.<br /><br />A second set of brain scans showed noticeably less activity in the brain's pain regions.<br />Researcher Nina Theysohn said: "Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture."<br /><br />Other research released earlier this year revealed that the physical act of sticking in acupuncture needles and twisting them releases a flood of natural painkillers.<br /></p>
<p>The finding will vindicate those who have spent hundreds of pounds on acupuncture for bad backs, sprained ankles and other aches and pains.<br /><br />The research team from the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, studied whether acupuncture affected how the brain reacted to electric shocks, reports the Daily Mail.<br /><br />A group of volunteers underwent sophisticated brain scans at the same time as an electric shock was applied to their left ankle, according to a University Hospital statement.<br /><br />Acupuncture needles were then placed at three places on the right side - between the toes, below the knee and near the thumb - and the electric current switched back on.<br /><br />A second set of brain scans showed noticeably less activity in the brain's pain regions.<br />Researcher Nina Theysohn said: "Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture."<br /><br />Other research released earlier this year revealed that the physical act of sticking in acupuncture needles and twisting them releases a flood of natural painkillers.<br /></p>