The difference is that acupuncturists claim that it is far more nuanced than it has been scientifically proven to be and justify that claim with a lot of pseudo

The difference is that acupuncturists claim that it is far more nuanced than it has been scientifically proven to be and justify that claim with a lot of pseudo-scientific woo. There is basis for the claim that sticking needles in people can help with some ailments. There is no basis for the claim that meridians are a thing and in any way relevant to those effects.