[hurtsobad73]

Has anyone here had experience with having acupuncture done on them? Did it work? If so, what did it work on? Is it something that one would have to do for the rest of their life if it did work?

I am looking into it for Chronic pain and fatigue as well as many other dx's and especially for a neurological problem that no one can seem to dx. My PCP recommended this to see if we can get some symptoms under control. I thought I would ask the question here and see what kind of responses I get.

Thank you in advance.

M

[Fogbrain]

As a survivor of multiple head/CNS injury, I deal with chronic fatigue and an interesting host of aches, pains and odd sensations. I have found acupuncture to be highly useful in controlling these beasts. Acupuncture is, for me, a wonderful compliment to my other therapies.

Some generalised statements about this type of treatment:
Many chronic pain/fatigue issues are best served initially by "frontloading" which is two or more treatments weekly for the first four to six weeks before settling to a more widely spread schedule. Many people have shared with me a similar experience.

The first treatment or two may not yield noticable results. You may even feel a bit worse and/or experience pain moving to different areas of your body.

If you eventually decide this is an acceptable treatment for you don't overdo it. Like many drug therapies, sometimes a holiday from treatment is in order. The treatment following such a hiatus is most often twice as efficacious. Give the body time to stand up for itself, in other words.

Every body is different, of course. I have been receiving acupuncture for about two years now. I typically go in every three to four weeks for a few rounds, then take a two or three month break. If I'm having more spinal issues than normal, I go once a week for a couple/three extra sessions.

I will happily go for life if it continues to help. I already get chiropractic care and neuromuscular massage and know I'm in it for life.

My injuries are old, but their impact(no pun intended) is with me for life. The trick is this: The body is always in a state of change, hence timing of therapies turns into an excercise in intuition. But those of us with chronic conditions are pretty good at hearing what our body needs, eh? Try it out and see if it works for you.

J

[Fogbrain]

I found acupuncture to be more helpful with muscle/spinal issues than my "fogbrain". It has also helped with vertigo and proprioception.

My wife reports that I look "more compact" after a session. As if my energy is less scattered.

J

[Abbie]

I have used acupuncture for a few years now.

I find it works great for me!!

I started with two treatments per week and found that it worked but just wasn't enough to get over the "hump". I then started going nearly every day for a while... and that's what it took to get my pain levels to decrease immensly!!

I have also had acupuncture for nausea, dizziness, vertigo, muscle spasms, and sinus pain. Each time the results were wonderful!!!

I do suggest that you go to a certified/licensed acupuncturist. I asked a lot about my acupuncturist's training, certification, etc. before the first needle was ever placed into my body.

Now, I'm a lifer.... I know what it does for me and how I feel after!!

Best wishes!!!
Abbie

[melfred_20]

I have rasmussen encephalitis and went to acupunture as a last resort. The doctors were going to remove half of my brain and leave me as a vegetable. It saved my life literally. I stopped having seizures, regained movement, and started to walk again. Its really worth it to try.

[carynduncan1]

Originally Posted by hurtsobad73

Has anyone here had experience with having acupuncture done on them? Did it work? If so, what did it work on? Is it something that one would have to do for the rest of their life if it did work?

I am looking into it for Chronic pain and fatigue as well as many other dx's and especially for a neurological problem that no one can seem to dx. My PCP recommended this to see if we can get some symptoms under control. I thought I would ask the question here and see what kind of responses I get.

Thank you in advance.

M

I have had acupuncture for addiction and to relieve stress and I had a great time. It really helped relax me and feel happier and brighter about my ife. It doesn't really hurt and the relief is amazing. Hope it works for you.

[undiagnosedillness]

It's good to hear how many of you have had success with acupuncture. It's something I've considered but very scared of.
To those who have success did you find the needles painful?
I've heard so many horror stories which is another reason I've not tried it for chronic pain.

[rumpled]

I have been going for over a year now. I find it a great help. I am an endocrine nightmare and I am in constant pain from frozen shoulders and a bad back.
There is a site to look for a specialist that is also a doctor - for instance mine is an hemotologist/oncologist as well as acupuncuture doctor.
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/findadoc/index.html
which all will not work for you in Australia - but I would search for someone who has qualifications. In searching adding Australia, I cannot find a similar organization.

I feel the needles most on my hands when they are being put in, but once they are in, all is fine.

The horror stories are from those that are not experienced, or are plain stupid. One lady told me the person put the needles in through her clothes! How could he see what he was doing! Where he was hitting! How unsanitary and dulling of needles! And they never re-use needles. It may take a few questions to get to the right person, but when you find the right one, it is very rewarding.

[Koala77]

Many years ago I tried acupuncture for pain. It was done by my specialist physician who seemed to know what he was doing, but I really don't think he had the needles in the exact right place. After each session my pain increased. It's like he had the needles almost in the right place, but instead of easing the pain, he actually stirred it up and made it worse.

In answer to your question though, no the needles didn't hurt going in.

[nekie]

Hi,
I used acupuncture for three months and had good results. I am on a break at the moment, but while using acupuncture I also continued other therapies for my neuro pain. It is very helpful for nausea and general relaxation.
Make sure you have a qualified acupuncturist. Look for a ODM (oriental doctor of medicine) with a lot of experience.
Hope it works for you- give it a try with an open mind!

Originally Posted by Koala77

Many years ago I tried acupuncture for pain. It was done by my specialist physician who seemed to know what he was doing, but I really don't think he had the needles in the exact right place. After each session my pain increased. It's like he had the needles almost in the right place, but instead of easing the pain, he actually stirred it up and made it worse.

In answer to your question though, no the needles didn't hurt going in.