alternatively, given that "placebo" acupuncture (ie needles stuck in anywhere at random) has been shown to work just as well as "proper" acupuncture (needles placed with regard to flow of chi etc by experienced acupuncturist) when the two have been compared in well designed scientific clinical trials, you might want to consider getting one of your mates to shove a couple of pins in your arse for free and save the hard earned for nice shiny bits of kit ;-)