Yes
Acupuncture stimulates endogenous endorphins *
If this is enough for the patient to feel a difference or improvement is going to vary depending on endorphin sensitivity/opioid tolerance, etc.
I definitely felt the effects and I don't attribute it to placebo. I can stick myself with a needle (and have done so on many occasions)
I particularly felt one that was placed in my left ear, and the sensation was a very mild tickling sensation and seemed to elate me.
Everyone else in the room seemed to be really chill from it. It reminded me of an old school opiate den to be quite honest.
It was free for me by the way

and I'll be able to go twice a week. %)
The obvious reason why it can't be said it's
proven to work is because there's no way to set up a proper control variable (the person is either going to feel the needle in their skin or they aren't). However I believe it's worth trying at least once if it's available to you. I'm sure you could learn how to do it at home and order the needles yourself as to save money.
* from wiki
I obviously do not believe in the "qi/yin/yang'meridian" crap. That's a bunch of shit. Or, if you will, it's an incorrect attempt to explain why acupuncture helps the people it does.