Acupuncture together with other forms of complementary medicine are regenerative in nature. Lessening of the "pain symptoms" a part of that recovery and REVERSAL process.
The problem with conventional medicine is that there are many diseases that they cannot possibly conceive of recovering from and simply undergo PALLIATIVE care, PAIN MANAGEMENT etc... An example of which is the simple arthritis. Rheumatoid or osteo. Steroidal injections and other rehab treatments is the only thing they can possibly do.
But not for the regular holistic ( energy ) medicine physician. Recovery is very much possible.
Btw. Explore the link below. Except for the last example (which actually does affect the interior energy flow as well but is not purely energy based modality) . All the example presented are all energy based modalities. Meaning, the ignorance of the lay people is implied by the presentation and segregation of these modalities.
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/pain/6-alternative-treatments-chronic-pain