[thursday]

Hey yall!
I've been getting acupuncture since the very end of January on average 2 times a week and I have noticed:

1. a serious decrease in inflammation in my arms. I have had weeks without having to employ pain relief (massage or medicine) for my forearms, wrists, shoulder blades of hands.
2. I can also now raise my arms overhead completely extended.
3. I've even been able to do small amounts of resistance exercises.

For me, these are new developments. Haven't been able to say any of these statements, much less ALL of them in 3 years. I am be nature a skeptic and I am by no means a New Age - Organic type of person.
That's why it surprises me to tell you I am fairly certain acupuncture is working for me and furthermore, I encourage you to try it.

I am still working with my practitioner towards alleviating my neck-specific issues (TOS). We started a new treatment approach today. I will update as the results come it

The place I go is a community acupuncture clinic.

Originally Posted by thursday

...
The licensed acupuncturist is working of a business model that provides quiet group setting: 6 recliners with fresh linens (on the chair as well as blankets and pillows for support). The actual needling happens on distal points* on the arms and legs. In my case since the problems are upper extremities and neck my points are along the meridians on my legs. So I just roll up my jeans, lean back and get about 30 needles in me then take a nap. She insists the deeper the relaxation the better the healing process. ....

Although I'm in Northern California, there are community acupuncture clinics across the country. Please see this site to find a clinic near you http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org/clinics.

This is a great video that shows the community acupuncture experience. It explains so much!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-j0Mrelfno

I welcome any questions you have!

[thursday]

I meant to say these clinics are sliding scale based always. Don't have to have insurance or NOT have insurance. You don't have to prove your income. You just pay what you can. My clinic's scale is $20-$40. I am never made to feel like I should pay more or come in more frequently than I can, and I have not been pressured to purchase supplements that are carried there.

[finz]

I am happy for you that you are seeing results !

I tried accupuncture a few years ago, but did not have any lasting results and couldn't afford to continue. That sliding scale is GREAT ! I wish they had one closer to me. They do have some in Mass, but none that I could get to without a ride

[thursday]

that's really too bad Finz i just want everyone to share my experience...

[tshadow]

I am always VERY HAPPY!!! for anyone who gets success in something they try.

However, for me, I never tried acupuncture because my ins. co. would not approve it, and, I also had a gut fear about my skin RSD. My nerves are so unpredictable, and I had pain at a high level and for so long that I felt I was losing my mind. RSD is at the skin level and so hot and even makes blisters. One stupid doctor recommended a cream he had made up that had "heat" in it!!! That almost killed me - I was screaming from that as I used cold water and cold towels to try to cool down the skin.

Back to acupuncture. I would like to hear from others who have tried this treatment. Do we have any others who can relay their story?

[Sheri_TOS]

I discovered acupuncture during my first pregnancy 4 years ago. I pinched a nerve in my neck. After 2 months of constant pain, trying different medications, the pain mgmt doctor suggested acupuncture as he said I was risking permanent nerve damage. By this time, I had a partially numb thumb along with pain and muscle spasms. One treatment is all it took to settle down the nerves/muscles and relieve symptoms. Ever since then, when I get the hint of symptoms returning, I'm back in the acupuncturist's office.

It hasn't worked on everything. I injured my shoulder/brachial plexus really bad two years ago. The acupuncturist said when the symptoms don't relieve after a couple of sessions that there's a bigger underlying problem and he talked extensively with the physical therapist and doctor. The shoulder is unstable so acupuncture will only temporarily relieve symptoms as the area is under constant aggravation.

[olecyn]

they put WASABI in the creams

Originally Posted by tshadow

I am always VERY HAPPY!!! for anyone who gets success in something they try.

However, for me, I never tried acupuncture because my ins. co. would not approve it, and, I also had a gut fear about my skin RSD. My nerves are so unpredictable, and I had pain at a high level and for so long that I felt I was losing my mind. RSD is at the skin level and so hot and even makes blisters. One stupid doctor recommended a cream he had made up that had "heat" in it!!! That almost killed me - I was screaming from that as I used cold water and cold towels to try to cool down the skin.

Back to acupuncture. I would like to hear from others who have tried this treatment. Do we have any others who can relay their story?

[olecyn]

LOVE your post Thursday...

Originally Posted by thursday

Hey yall!
I've been getting acupuncture since the very end of January on average 2 times a week and I have noticed:

1. a serious decrease in inflammation in my arms. I have had weeks without having to employ pain relief (massage or medicine) for my forearms, wrists, shoulder blades of hands.
2. I can also now raise my arms overhead completely extended.
3. I've even been able to do small amounts of resistance exercises.

For me, these are new developments. Haven't been able to say any of these statements, much less ALL of them in 3 years. I am be nature a skeptic and I am by no means a New Age - Organic type of person.
That's why it surprises me to tell you I am fairly certain acupuncture is working for me and furthermore, I encourage you to try it.

I am still working with my practitioner towards alleviating my neck-specific issues (TOS). We started a new treatment approach today. I will update as the results come it

The place I go is a community acupuncture clinic.


Although I'm in Northern California, there are community acupuncture clinics across the country. Please see this site to find a clinic near you http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org/clinics.

This is a great video that shows the community acupuncture experience. It explains so much!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-j0Mrelfno

I welcome any questions you have!

[(Broken Wings)]

Thursday, I'm so happy for you.

That's wonderful.

Thank God.

[TraceyW]

i have had a 6 month period of acupuncture treatment - this was quite a few years ago and prior to any knowledge of tos or it was what i had! acupuncture helped break up some rock sold knots in my scalenes - so solid they almost felt like bone!

this relieved some local scalene discomfort for me but didnt do anything for my shoulder blade/arm/hand pain....

...however if i had it now i may see some more benefits, if i could find an acupuncturist who is understands tos!. My symptoms have levelled out during the last year and would not describe my pain as severe at this moment in time - although i still limit my life activities according to what causes me pain!Given these factors i may give it another round.