[postconcussion]

I have had three accupuncture sessions.

I was very surprised at the sensations that I felt. For the first session, I could not feel my legs. I was a bit nervous but stuck it out. The second session I felt like my body was again cut into two and this time I could feel a heaviness in my upper body. The third was ok, with lots of tingling in my feet / pins and needles, but I woke up that night and couldn't feel my legs. I was pretty scared to say the least... could that be attributed to dehydration? I don't think that I drank enough after that night. I was woozy and exhausted after each session, thankfully it was at my house. I would not have been able to drive.

So... that was a few months ago, I haven't had any more treatments from that therapist.

A friend said that I should call her neighbor who has done accupuncture for 30 years. Over the phone she said that I am sensitive and that my energy was extremely blocked and that the body swings back and forth to establish an equilibrium before balancing. That is why the lymph flow was so strong.

She wants me to come in this upcoming week. Here's the thing, I am willing to try again optimistically... but it is terrifying to have the loss of feeling in my legs and pins and needles. My spine is still healing and the pins and needles come and go when I aggravate my upper back and shoulders.

Has anyone else experienced this reaction to accupuncture?

Is my energy 'blocked' because of chronic pain, the severity of the injury, or inflammation?

I did notice that I felt somewhat better the next days, similar to after a long yoga workout, but the stress of the side effects seemed to override that.

Mark, have you had success with accupuncture for headaches?

In general, can any kind of treatment designed for migraneurs help me for my headaches?

For example I have been reading about the headache diet to eliminate triggers

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=18916061
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/.../triggers2.pdf

but it did not seem to really make a difference. Will this only help people with non post traumatic headaches? Has anyone ever posted that a limited diet has helped them (besides gluten intolerance)?



Always Thank you!

[Mark in Idaho]

I have never tried acupuncture. I don't like needles.

[ShellyK]

I have been going for acupuncture treatment for post-traumatic headaches. I have never had tingling in the legs because of acupuncture.

Did you tell the acupuncturist when it happened? He/she should have been able to do something to get rid of the tingling in the legs.... I would not go back to that acupuncturist.

The acupuncture has definitely made a difference in my headaches. I used to get week- long migraines (after my accident). I still get migraines, but they are not week-long, and they are further apart.

Also, I came in once with the beginning of a migraine, and the acupuncture treatment totally got rid of it. So, if you are getting migraines, it is worth trying again with a different acupuncturist.

I had gone to someone else earlier in my recovery, and I thought that this other acupuncturist gave a good treatment, but it made me feel like it overstimulated my head, and I did not feel comfortable enough with this acupuncturist to tell him how I felt, so I just stopped going.

It was only when I couldn't stand the migraines anymore that I sought out another acupuncturist. And I am glad I did.

I was hoping that the acupuncture would also help with the awful fatigue and body aches. So far it hasn't done anything for that.... And I still get headaches, but it has made a difference in the quality and quantity of the headaches.

Because of your bad experience I understand your hesitation in seeing someone else. If you do decide to try again, I would urge you to let the acupuncturist know what you are experiencing, whatever it is.

I hope that you find something that helps the migraines. I know how horrible they are.

ShellyK

[Jomar]

I'm sure it very much the same as with massage , lots of fluids are needed because the body is flushing out toxins.

I don't know about the loss of feeling in legs and such...
Did it seem like the person was cautious and careful when doing the treatment ? Or kind of rushing about?

[Mist8012]

I too don't like needles much but in my last massage session the therapist must have hit a nerve coz my right arm flung out....scary.

[postconcussion]

Thank you everyone for their replies. I guess even amongst pcs'ers I am considered sensitive to acupuncture treatments.

I am going to try again today, with plenty of fluids before and after, and a light meal to keep my blood sugar consistent. I'm hoping the effects were related to the flushing out process that Jomar mentioned. After some reading on the internet, I learned that water is being forced into cells because of increased blood flow to the area. This can explain why the extra fluid intake is necessary.

Shellyk, so nice to hear that your headaches got better!

And Mist, That's weird about your arm.. hope that never happens again

I'm still a bit nervous though

[Mist8012]

I hope it doesn't either LOL

Good luck with your appointment. I have another Massage treatment this evening. Hoping for the best!

Kelly

[ShellyK]

Please let us know how the acupuncture appointment went. I hope this new acupuncturist will be able to help you.

ShellyK

[postconcussion]

Hello. As far as my experience yesterday, I thought that it went really well. At first! Except last night I had a similar leg weakness feeling and swollen feet. It wasn't as bed as completely not feeling my legs.. but it was enough to make me discouraged.

At my appointment she discussed my experience and said it was not due to dehydration but just too much stimulation/ too many needles. I had had needles in my ankles, feet, stomach, hand,and wrist area previously. She said that my energy is blocked because of the amount of pain I'm in and my body can barely handle it.

So she only put in two needles yesterday! She said that it would take months of acupuncture to feel significantly better. She said that everyone responds differently and that the first time she had acupuncture she had only one needle stuck in her and she felt like she could barely move and had a narcotic type effect.

Also, she wants me to take herbs. Of which I must admit I am unsure of I am pretty sensitive to everything so she said instead of the three times a day x three pills i should take just half a pill per day. She wants to give them to me in this upcoming appointment. Has anyone taken any Chinese herbs before to supplement their acupuncture?


I am happy that I tried again though I do not feel a difference in my headache at all. But it is still early. And I drank a ton of water before and after yesterday, so that didn't make a difference.

All in all, I was so happy to wake up yesterday and have a plan to help my pain somehow, so I will try again.

[ShellyK]

I don't know how I did it, but I was writing a reply and then when I started to check it over, somehow I lost it, so here goes again....

I don't understand why your legs get swollen from the acupuncture, but until you can get a straight answer about that, that would disturb me.

I also wanted to ask you what you meant about not feeling a difference in your headache at all. When you went for the treatment, did you have a headache? I can only speak from my experience, but from my experience, anytime that I have gone for acupuncture, I have come out feeling better than when I went in. That feeling might not last, but at least after the treatment my headache was better or gone for a few hours....

As far as Chinese herbs, I do take Chinese herbs. My acupuncturist makes me a powder that I put in hot water and drink. When I use it up, he makes up something else for me based on how I am. So, yes, I believe that the herbs work along with the treatment to help balance your body. And I am very sensitive to prescription drugs, but I can take the powders that he gives me. Sometimes I start by taking less than a full dose....

I hope that you find the right treatment. It's so frustrating to have to keep looking for ways to get better.

Please let us know how you are doing.

ShellyK