Acupuncture, herbs and cupping, oh my!
 

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this...
Tried acupuncture for the first time nearly two weeks ago. Miserable. She was only able to get in 4-5 needles, and a couple of them were SO painful, like hitting a nerve ( just when they went in, not continuous pain, but still!) I was sobbing and crying because it hurt, because I guess she hit an emotional area, and because I was so disappointed that it hurt- I was hoping it would help with pain management for my L5 S1 disc herniation. I stopped all treatment (chiro and pt) the next day and did nothing for nearly 2 weeks. I tried going back to acupuncture yesterday, and she decided to do cupping instead. Not painful...but long term effects??? Anyone try it... and did it help? Plus she said I should try taking spirulina and evening primrose oil tablets. To help with the stress (upcoming open house, possible layoff from an 8 year teaching position) and tension that does not seem to leave my life..

DH tried acupuncture and cupping.
He did get some temporary relief from both.
He felt that the cupping relaxed him significantly.
We/he has tried alternative therapies w/ good results.
He read books by John Sarno.
He took Naproxen for a short time and then didn't have to take it anymore.
We also added some vitamins...mostly multi, b vitamins, fish oil and gluc. and chond. Also, discussions re: stress relief, etc. All these things really helped him a lot.
Before all the alternative stuff...dh was in heavy duty pain and had tried shots, etc.
He wouldn't hesitate to take medication again if necessary, bud would hope it was temporary and would continue w/ alternative treatments.