My mother is on a tangent again. She heard from some lady at church that acupuncture works for treating MS symptoms...so she calls and books me an appointment and is telling me she is willing to pay for this if I go. Which is sweet of her but it's a lot of money. And I am not sure that I like the idea of it. I know some people swear by it, unfortunately, I do not happen to know any of these people.

I am wondering if anyone has tried it and if it had any effects...good or bad.

I don't have MS but if somebody paid for me to try it I would do it LOL!!

A friend of my parents has had acupuncture for her arthritis and has felt better with having it.

I've never had it, but I would also try it for free..

I think it's a temporary fix at best....sort of like message and chiro.

I hope it helps you.

I looked into this in 1992 or 1993. There were 2 people on the Prodigy MS message board who swore by it so I talked with a chiropractor about it. There's several needle "layouts" as I recall specifically for MS.

Since I'm a needle wheenie, I chickened out.

Tom

I did it and if someone paid for me to do it, I would do it again. I don't care if the pain relief is temporary or not.

I was so skeptical about it but one of the doctor's at the hospital I worked at was telling me about it as apparently the pain I was in was all over my face. At the time, we didn't know that I had MS. I had the lesions but no "clinical" symptoms - just periodic intense pain in my rib cage and stomach. The pain was so intense, as those who get the hug will attest to, I got desperate and decided to fork over the $40 to get it done. Even while I was in the room with needles stuck all over me I was still skeptical and kept thinking how ridiculous this was and why am I even here, etc. Afterwards, I was sold. I had 3 pain free days in a row!!! Of course, I am not sure but I think you release endorphins during the process and that endorphin high is pretty cool. LOL.

As luck would have it, I just couldn't afford to continue and thus, started taking Neurontin.

I say go for it. See what happens as it really can't hurt. We want a full report when you get back.

I actually want to try it. I just need to find a reputable place here in town that isnt in a scary part of town.

I'm a big believer in acupuncture! When I lived in Hawaii I tried it and it really helped with my chronic lower back pain and migraines. I don't even have that kind of pain any more. For me acupuncture is very relaxing and I felt like I was able to move better. I wouldn't use it as a "cure" for anything from a cold to MS but for symptomatic relief of muscle spasms and pain it's great! Sadly the cost keeps me from doing it now (my insurance covered it in Hawaii) but I do miss it.

Try it you might like it!
Karen

They are not *real* needles - they are super fine, like EMG needles. You barely feel them. I had it for smking - my company was paying, so what the heck? I was skeptical, but a day off? Sure...



I walked out of the doc's office and did not smoke for a few weeks - from a pack a day. And this wasn't even a specialist - just my PCP.




So not a cure, but a help.

Can't say what it would do for pain or other symptoms, but it can't hurt. I'd go. In fact, I should see if my ins would pay. I'd try it.

You guys are right! That guy is a quackjob. And 50 miles from my house. I started looking into the doctors in my area. Most of them are around $75 for the first visit and between 40-60 thereafter. Which is a LOT better than the $200 and then 125 the other guy wanted to charge. Good lookin out!

Actually, this guy may do more than just the acupuncture. A friend of mine was telling me about some guy in town she goes to. He does all sorts of things along with the acupuncture - counseling, massage, cold laser therapy, nutritional counseling and "balancing", etc. She said he is really expensive - about $120 a visit. The guy your mom told you about may be more like the guy my friend goes to.

I still say go for it. Go get your qui in balance.