A study undertaken at a hospital in Thailand has shown that acupuncture combined with medication, is significantly more effective than medication alone, in helping diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Forty-eight type-2 diabetics were allocated to receive either medication alone (including amitriptyline and vitamin B12), or medication plus acupuncture. It was found that acupuncture combined with medication, was able to significantly reduce numbness in the lower extremities compared with medication alone.
(The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine, December 2012.)