Does accupuncture work?

I have frequent shooting hand pain that is not arthritis or brought on by anything (I have been to the doctor mutable times for this and he tells me to take pain killer every day, however it helps minimally). I have tried to just suck it up but now it is so bad that I have to stop what I am doing and massage my hands. Friends have told me about the wonders of acupuncture but I doubt if it actually works. Is there any chance that it will help this type of pain? Does it actually work? If you have any other suggestions besides acupuncture it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and help.