I’ve been battling some wicked back pain. I’ve decided to try acupuncture instead of the traditional PCP visits, x-rays, etc. I have an appointment for treatment this Saturday. I’ve been told it will take up to 3-4 treatments, and I was just wondering if anyone has had acupuncture treatments for anything and what the results were. Does it really help? What should I expect?
First, my husband has had acupuncture on his shoulder and it worked wonders.
Second, a cousin of mine is a certified acupuncturist and has given my mother treatments for her hip and ankle and she raves about how wonderful it is. Mom was completely sceptical, but she’s a changed woman now.
I’ve never had it myself, but wouldn’t hesitate to do it if need be.
I’ve had it but not for back pain. It worked wonder for headaches and sinus congestion, which is why I went. I’m a firm believer in “alternative” therapies after having been an ICU nurse for 10 yrs and a nurse practitioner for 2 yrs.
You can try it and if it doesn’t work for you, then no harm done. The needles don’t hurt although in some places they can get a bit zingy. The acupuncturist will leave them in a while. I recommend going to someone who has gone to acupuncture school and not a doc or chiro that has gone for minimal training for certification.
Good luck!
Bambi
Yes it can work wonders especially for pain. I’ve had it a couple times and you may find it gets worse for a few days, then it starts to feel better and better. I also worked for an acupunturists and saw the many ways it helped people. Definitely go to one who’s LicAcup or has a degree in chinese medicine; they look at the whole picture. Bambi’s right, some Drs or chiros just go for a weeklong training and only learn the basics of it.
i’ve not had it doen either. but i have been told by friedns that have had it done that it works wonders. they also said that they hardly felt the needles going in as long as they relaxed it was actually good.
hope it helps you, i hadnt thought about that for myself as i have a hip issue after being thrown badly from a horse years ago, and that could help it
thank you
susi
Thanks, all. I’m pretty excited about going. The woman I will be seeing is from Hong Kong, where she was a nurse. When she came to the US, she got a degree in occupational therapy, then became licensed in acupuncture and herbology and also studied ancient Chinese medicine for many years. So I feel pretty comfortable that she knows what she is doing. I’ll be so glad when I can sit comfortably and knit again!!
Let us know how it turns out, won’t you?
Bambi
I’ve tried it twice, with no effect whatever. My husband also tried it once, without effect.
I am highly sceptical of acupuncture and suspect it’s more psychological than anything but also have to admit that I have never tried it so it’s just an unfounded opinion.
I tried it for back pain, it did work, but you have to go back repeatedly. My rheumatologist said that in Korea it’s done much more than here (he’s Korean) and patients go weekly, at least, for continued relief.
It’s isn’t psychological, it works for babies and animals who have no pre-conceived ideas. And pain free is pain free - I’ll attest to that. Some problems need more than just a couple sessions, and maybe some continuing monthly or bi-monthly treatments for a while. It depends on the root cause of the problem.
I have used it to prevent bone loss my DH for high blood pressure…we both had improvements.
I have a client who has had 3 back operations and his neurosurgeon is contemplating fusion. He had it and it reduced his pain from a 9 to a 3 on a scale of 1-10.
Hi Ya’ll!
Okay… I dont know how many of you know my story:teehee:
I had a really bad horseback riding accident combined with nerve damage from a routine surgury (removing bone spurs off of my hand from growing to fast, I’m 15) I had paralysis of all four limbs for about 4 months (combined, it was on and off due to the two compression fractures) and paralysis of my legs for about 2 years.
We went to all the “normal” doctors… They diagnosed me with whats called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which pretty much means that my nerves partially deviated so I felt all-over body pain, combined with the compression fractures where my L1 vertebre kept slipping causing my spinal fluid to be a real mess. They had me on tons of meds that didnt do much for the pain but made me sick and high as heavens gates, and one of them gave me seizures.
My mom was ready to take me to a far away hospital… but wanted me to try acupuncture first. The first few sessions were rough, but after the fourth session I could move my hands. After about 5 months she had me walking, and I can honestly say that Ms. Nawei Jiang gave me back my life.
So:teehee: I really, honestly suggest acupuncture. Its a godsend and I dont know what I would’ve done without it. It really doesnt hurt, either.(and I was more skeptical than you could beleive… it worked anyway:) And if you can get a bunch of rodents to feel better that quickly, it has to be the needles and not the rodent)
Love,
Lexie:muah:
P.S. Sorry this is so long!
I tried to keep it short without being indelicate, but it still turned out pretty well sized. Hope it helps anyway:hug:
With all of the positive results stories I may have to give it a try in the future and find out for myself. Would be nice to reduce my chronic hip and back pain.
Yes, do try it, it’s great for pain.
I could tell stories from when I worked for an acupuncturist too, but may take too long. In summary, an MS patient who could barely walk was skiing again after a year and a half of treatments; a couple ladies who had strokes were visibly better each week when came in for their appointments. From wheelchair, to walker, to cane to walking on their own. It works.
Well, my first acupuncture treatment went very well! I can walk now without looking like Quasimodo. There is still some pain, but not nearly as bad as it was. I have another treatment tomorrow. I was a bit skeptical, I tried not to set my hopes too high. It helped much more than I was expecting. I’d recommend acupuncture to anyone suffering pain that hasn’t been helped by Western medical treatments.
I’d recommend acupuncture to anyone suffering pain that hasn’t been helped by Western medical treatments.
I’ve never tried “modern” accupuncture, but I use accupressure and BVT (bee venom therepy - it actaully sounds more painful than it really is. Most people flip, but it works for pain and chronic illness) BVT is used on the accupuncture meridens. BVT was actaully one of the first accupuncture needles.
Most peopl shy away from this idea by saying something like, “I’m allergic to bees…” But in truth, 00.01% of the US population is alergic to honey bees. Most people are allergic to wasps and other bees.
Just talking out loud. 
I’ve heard about bee treatment; that is very interesting. Are they just regular honey bees that are used?
Yeah. We have two hives. Dad worked in exchange for them. They were part of a pollination services that travled nationwide, and the semi carrying them wrecked. Dad helped rescue them, and in exchange got the help and knowledge of a wonderful bee keeper near by, and 2 hives. And the perks are great. We’ve have them less than 6 months, and already have 3 1/2 gallons of honey, as well as a better polinated orchard and garden. Beekeeping requires a small amount of know how, but there are lots of places with that info!
I’m not sure what the site is called, but if you did a google search on “Pat Wagner BVT MS” you’d get a site with a lot of info about BVT. It’s mainly geared towards MS, but it helps with a lot of things.