Acupuncture For Neck?
 

Tomorrow I am going to do my first acupuncture on my neck and jaw.I never had acupuncture.I am in need of another cortisone shot in neck C1-C5 bulging.My headaches are at max with muscle spasms acting up again bad.After the next cortisone shot I am done with the amount the physiatrist will allow! Then I will be moving on to surgery my physiatrist already warned me.I am running out of options and hurting.

I have been Icing all day.If there is anybody to tell me about their acupuncture experience I would appreciate any feedback.I am running out of options:(

I'll be interested to hear about this as that has just been suggested to me, as well.
What's happening with your jaw? I ask because my jaw seems "tired" a lot and just doesn't feel right but I haven't connected it to my accident.

I am so sorry for your neck spasms-a true pain in the neck!

Acupuncture, for me, has been a life saver. It has helped to relieve the constant neck pain, back spasm and headaches. I still take western medications, but when I go too long without a treatment, everything starts to spasm and tighten up.

You will either lay down on a massage table or sit up on a chair (I suspect you will lay face down). You may want to wear loose shirt, maybe a tank top and sweat pants.

The needles are very thin, like pieces of hair! they will insert them on very specific sites (for me on top of my head, in my ear, on the neck, back and foot; I also do cupping). YOu will be asked to relax for 20-30 minutes, but if you are nervous, perhaps you can ask for a shorter time for the first one.

I am given a buzzer just in case I panic (anxiety & ptsd at times), but mostly I fall into a deep relaxing sleep. I go once a week, and it's one appointment that I am so happy to go to!

I have heard that for some, sadly, acupuncture doesn't work. If so, you will know in 1 or 2 sessions.

I hope you find some relief.

Thanks Guy's
 

My muscle spasms are in my whole upper body from chest/neck to jaw line.Yes I have muscle spasms in my face!I have had pain from this accident for almost 2yrs because of medical neglect (on the M.D.s behalf not mine)Long story.I am now suffering from chronic pain from this amongst other things like PTSD on top of PCS.

I am on a SNRI,Valium and the list goes on that I take as needed.I have a team of 8 speciality M.D.s from car accident that I suffered a MTBI but lack of medical it is now STBI.If you read my profile and threads it tells my story.:grouphug:

If you read my thread on my profile below is about my jaw from TBI we believe
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread184030.html

Question
 

I have my vestibular therapy appt in later afternoon.Will I be able to make that appt to vestibular?Or are you so relaxed for the day after acupuncture that your day is only relaxing?Thanks I appreciate it greatly:grouphug:

Oh, I wish I could just relax afterwards! I have 3 active boys--so the afternoon is full of carpool and activities. (Ear plugs and L-Tryptophan!).

I think you could do your vestibular therapy afterwards. A busy day!

If you have difficulties lying down in one position for too long you should mention it, otherwise, I will keep my fingers crossed that it will provide you with some relief and solace.

That Was Fab!
 

I am VERY relaxed!The acupuncturist said "wow are these hurting you at all"I said no I been in pain too long for these needles to hurt me lol!The one on the top of my head went flying out 5min after and hit the wall lol.I asked what does that mean and she said "I was cooked"?What does that mean?I will go back every Tuesday she said at least 3 times.I think I am already hooked!:D

Oh, I'm so glad!

Perhaps the needle popped out because there was so much blood flow to that spot. It has happened to me, too.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that the acupuncture continues to heal you.

Thats wonderful you had a great experience!!! I am a big fan of acupuncture!!! It helps balance your body in ways you never knew was possible. Our body has an energy system that once it is congested, pain will result. Once this congestion starts to release and balance comes back to the body, our healing can begin. Make sure you drink lots of water after acupuncture and stay away from sugar after a treatment. You will find cumulative benefits as you go weekly. I wish more PCS sufferers would look to total body relaxation treatments such as acupuncture, Healing Touch, and Reiki to give their bodies the best ability to heal. Western medicine is great....but there is a point where our mind, body, and spirit needs healing and only these integrative therapies can help.

Feeling Good
 

Nightnurse~I agree with you totally everyone with PCS should give it a try!I wish I would of started acupuncture sooner.I am happy I found it later then never.I had started acupuncture on Tuesday and now it is Friday.I have felt overall pretty good better then before with the only noticeable symptom was a pressure headache every once in awhile.My neck and jaw is REALLY feeling better and not as much pain as before, so I am not running into my physiatrist to use up my last cortisone shot!

I am trying to avoid any surgeries and my new regimen is to continue acupuncture with my physical therapy.A few of my M.D.s are a little disturbed because now I will start tapering medications soon, avoid surgeries, and overall some of the M.D.s will be eliminated if I keep getting good results from acupuncture.:grouphug:

Hope everyone has a good weekend

good to hear
 

Mia

Sounds like acupuncture was a good thing.

I am curious about it too -- never once had it.

Good for you for getting off sugar. My next goal is to really reduce refined sugar in my life.

Keep on healing!

pm

Second Time at Acupuncture Today
 

Today I am going back for second time of acupuncture.I need to address to therapist that my sleep is getting kind of bad again.Today after I get to go to sleep after because I do not have V therapy till late afternoon:D

I did accupuncture throughout the winter 2 x week, and I think it helped!

Mokey
 

Could I ask why you stopped acupuncture?

My 3rd Visit for acupuncture
 

~I am finding a lot of relief from acupuncture!I went for my 3rd time yesterday and all I can say is I keep getting better.I have multiple problems besides my PCS a total of 6 injuries...I got a lot going on lol
This is a list of what I noticed in improvement for the different injuries.
1.PCS~Headache relief/Light sensitivity/tinnitus relief/Better Sleep/Less anxiety/Less fatigue/Better focus
2.PTSD~Less Nightmares/Less Flashbacks/More positive feelings/Less anger/Changed beliefs for better
3.Bulging neck C1-5~Pain decreased/Less popping in neck/Not so tight or heavy
4.Close to Herniation L-5~Pain decreased
5.Temporomandibular Joint dosorder or TMJD(I clench unknowing)~Major decreased pain/Speech improvement
6.Major Depression~Euphoria/Happier thought's/Less emotional Stress

I probably could think of more that I have noticed....But this is all I put in journal.
Overall I am happy to say it is helping me by:
1.I am not taking the headache meds as often
2.I am not having to take sleeping meds
3.I do not have to eat soft foods anymore
4.I have changed beliefs of survival
5.I did not have to use last cortisone shot in neck
6.I do not need back brace as much
:grouphug:

Good to know!
 

Hi Mia,

Sounds like acupunture is a working for you. Keep us posted. It's very interesting and I keep thinking about trying it too--

I still struggle with insomnia. Melatonin has helped, but I know there are side effects with it too.

Keep on healing!

pm

I tried acupuncture ad got some relief. but I have so many other problems I don't know where to begi. but [ain is bad but not horrible

Mark
 

Welcome to Neurotalk!The site has a lot of insight on everything.

If you could start a thread and tell us your story and struggles we will be more than happy to give you feedback and support.You said you tried acupuncture what are all your illnesses or, you can start with just a few and add more later if it is to overwhelming.

Hope to see a start thread from you so we as a support group can help you!This is a great and very understanding support group.:grouphug: Mia

MiaVita... Stopped only because my physiotherapist left the hospital for another job in a related area! She has not been replaced. It is expensive if I see someone putside the hospital. In th hospital we do not pay (Canadian system).

I am also seeing an acupuncturist for a month three times a week buy honestly haven't seen a big difference. Berkeleybrain may I ask who your acupuncturist is? Thank you!

Mokey&B
 

Mokey~I lucked out and have an acupuncturist that does certain times and days that is a major discount cost called "Community Works".You might do so searching and find a acupuncturist that offer's these community services in your community.Never hurt's to try?You guy's went or are going more than me.I only go one time a week.Is there any pro's & con's on how many times a week?Any feedback is appreciated on how to go about how many weekly.:grouphug:

It depends on how bad your symptoms are. If you are in a lot of pain constantly, you should be going at least 2 x a week. But if you are in a phase where weekly helps, stick with that for a few months and then taper down to every other week when the majority of your symptoms are gone. It does have a cumulative effect, so the more consistently you go, the better you will feel each time. Its all about balancing your energy field and pathways. If you can maintain a balanced energy system, you wont need to go as often. THis can be helped with meditation, deep breathing, less stress. Your acupucnturist might even have you do some exercises that are very easy on the body to keep your energy flowing.....like qi gong.

I too have had excellent results from acupuncture
 

I had acupuncture many years ago for back pain, and it was very successful, lasting about 2 yrs. Then I had it to stop smoking and was astonished to find that it also erased most of the symptoms of anxiety, OCD, phobias, panic, etc. Unfortunately that doctor moved on, and the next one i tried was completely unsuccessful at relieving anything! So now I know that it depends a lot on how skillful the accupuncturist is.

Best Wishes on your Treatments!
StormE1

If Anyone Ever Needs a Surgery
 

I had to get put to sleep and get surgery because an allergic reaction to a Birth control.I was going into anaphylactic shock.So my mom took me to outpatient surgery this morning before I was on a bad road.But I made it and feel soooo much better.I have 3 incisions with stitches and trying to deal with Co2 that is trapped in body from surgery.

~My mom took me over to acupuncture late afternoon today after I rested from surgery for awhile.Then my neck and shoulders started hurting bad from the Co2.....I got relief from the acupuncture instantly!!!

Seems like the acupuncture is a great fit for me ranging from all PCS symptoms to an emergency outpatient surgery.I highly advise TBI/PCS survivors check around to see if their community has a acupuncturist that does a "community service" on certain days and times for a discount price!If you look you might find...like I did:grouphug:

yes!I
 

I just went for acupuncture this week and the woman I see does the community works model as well.

I told her about the tinnitus in my left ear, skull pain at the site of the injury, low energy, etc. The next day, my left ear had no noticible tinnitus.

I am going back. I found it so relaxing and wonderful.

I hope this helps anyone thinking about trying acupuncture.

pm

That is GREAT!!!
 

PM~I am sooooo happy you found a "community service" provider.The result you are getting are GREAT to.I have lost A lot of PCS symptoms with acupuncture. Every week you go you will start to see new things for positive results.

I cannot stress how much people need to first try to believe in acupuncture and try it and you could see great results.For others that have tried or try but does not work for you I am really sorry.

First thing is find a "community Service" provider so you are not spending lots of money and if you get relief like me and the others that had commented you can keep going for the "community Services".

Th community service is cheaper than any meds or therapies!Just keep that in mind!I hope everyone can find a community service provider to at least give it a few tries:grouphug:

I am still going strong
 

I am still going once a week and keep seeing improvements.I will be losing my acupuncturist in September.She is moving and I will need to find another good acupuncturist that offer community works.

Too Bad!
 

Oh I hope you can find another one.

I went today -- and this is a month of acupuncture. I love it. It's really helping me. My energy is returning more and more.

I know acupuncture doesn't work for everyone, but I find it helpful.

Keep feeling better Mia.

I been going 2months
 

I have been going two month's and it has helped me greatly!From tinnitus to not having to get a surgery on Jaw and the list goes on of all positives.I have till September to find a new acupuncturist.Unfortunately it does not work for everyone!I am happy for the people it does work on with PCS.:grouphug: Mia

I am still going once a week
 

This acupuncture has helped my memory fog as well!!! Google Community acupuncture in your city and give it a try. Community acupuncture should only cost $15-30. Do not pay anymore than that! Usually it goes off of what you can pay!!! I have turned on other people that have other health conditions as well and they are loving it as well!:grouphug:

Acupuncture and travel
 

I traveled to the Islands and I was great flying down, flying back North the pressure was so intense I could not see straight, headache, pressure in head, chronic pain etc. The next morning I went to acupuncture and it released a lot of the pressure! I am having photo sensitivity worse than when I departed. I know that it will take my body and brain a little time to re adjust to all the traveling. ALL I CAN SAY IS COMMUNITY**ACUPUNCTURE IS MY QUICKEST FIX after 2 1/2 years TBI.:grouphug:

Treating chronic Pain
 

I took a dive into the pain meds for a few month's it was HORRIBLE for me! I had brain fog, depressed thyroid, depressed digestion, withdraw, side effects.... Not good for me!

I am treating my chronic pain and spine trauma amongst other PCS symptoms with COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE 2 times a week. It is GREAT!!!!
Soon I will be able to move down to one time a week:grouphug:

Sticking with the Wires
 

I am Sticking with the wires! It is the best!!!!Anyone else?:grouphug:

I actually just had my first session of acupuncture this afternoon. I haven't had pressure/pain in my head when being stationary ("at rest") and doing nothing in 1.5 months.

Is it normal or a good/bad indication if i'm experiencing tension pressure/mild pain still (2 hours after session) in my temple area, behind my eyes, back of head, and upper back (where they put a needle; never had back pain/issues before)?

I love acupuncture. I was going as much as I could fit in when I was still under no fault insurance. But my regular insurance doesn't cover it :(.

I'm not convinced it "did" anything beyond relaxing me but that was enough for me. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and pay for it.