Anybody ever tried acupuncture?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

I have a bad knee that's been bothering me off and on for well over a year (not sure what the problem is), got a cortisone injection a year ago which helped temporarily, but a week or so ago it got really sore again and I'd rather not do the cortisone thing -- that shit is bad for you. So I thought I'd try acupuncture, though I've always been a bit skeptical. Had one treatment last week, another this evening, and lo and behold, right now my knee hardly hurts at all. Placebo effect? I don't know, but it sure feels better. I'm going back again later in the week. Anyone else had experience with acupuncture? Did it work for you?

[evlbstrd]

1. Once. I had pinkeye.

It didn't work. In fact, it hurt like hell.

[redqueen]

2. No, but I worked with someone who did

and he said it worked great. Had to go back regularly, as with a chiropractor I guess, so there's that... but he seemed very happy with the results (less pain, increased mobility).

Good luck. :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. A few times

Helped. Didn't fix.



The heat feels good while the needles are in, though. :)

[bonito]

4. Once in a while I have problems too

What works for me are knee supports, what they are is wet suite material works great!
Last time it happened to me I was pushing a truck around in the yard, won't do that again.

[TZ]

5. There is literature that does suggest the effects from acupuncture are real

and beneficial. I think it will help...for awhile...At least thats what I've heard from some who've done it. Some people don't get any relief though.

[Orrex]

6. I accidentally stapled my thumb once, very accurately

Completely took my mind off my headache.

[TZ]

9. There is actually something to acupuncture..however..

It is *not* for everyone..my sister tried it for her Lupus and it was *torture* to her. If it works for ocelot I say go, but it certainly is not a cure all, and often the benefits are overstated.

[Orrex]

10. You can't possibly expect me not to be snarky in a Lounge thread, can you?

Haven't you been reading my stuff here?!?


Actually, your framing of it is very good, and it needs to be stated again and again that the mechanism for its efficacy is not well understood.

Of course, my snark is a reaction to one too many threads in which proponents declare that the improvement of one patient's gout is proof that energy healing is the most bestest thing ever.

[TZ]

12. Well you know.....

According to some...Ocelot only has a bad knee because she THINKS she has a bad knee..But again..I'm just speaking from the company toolkit ya know....;-) :P

[Orrex]

13. I hate you for posting that

And I hate myself for laughing at it!

:rofl:

[Texasgal]

7. Acupuncture changed my life

Let me preface this by saying that I am an RN and have been trained to understand modern medicine.. I do believe it it. However..

Several years ago I was working triage at a community hospital. The hours were brutally long and so many of the cases were depressing. After many month of sleep deprivation and crying jags I went to see the HR's counselor. We tried many things. I changed my diet, got on sleeping meds... still nothing. I finally had to resort to anti-depressants which work very well for many people, for me I felt like I was monotone all of the time. No feelings of happiness... or sadness... just monotone.

I realized that something else needed to happen. Mind you, I was on a six month program with various meds and counseling to no avail. My counselor suggested acupuncture for stress. I laughed in her face at such a suggestion! She gave me the name of a respected acupuncturist.

I toyed with the idea and then finally researched it after realizing that SOMETHING needed to happen.

I made an appointment and went in...after my first visit I flew out of that office with a spring in my step. I felt so GOOD!!! I continued and got on a regimen of chinese herbs. I have NEVER... and I mean NEVER felt so damn good in all of my life. After several months, I got back to who I was. I felt so good that It kick started me into finding a new job!

I don't go once a week now, I usually limit a session or two every six months or so... I do take the herbs daily however.

If YOU feel it is working for you than I encourage you to continue treatment! It literally saved my life!

Good luck to you and to your continued health!

[bonito]

11. Thanks for sharing that!

I hope others will venture there as well!

[cbayer]

8. I had electric accupuncture a few times.

I was having serious stress related back and neck pain. They put the needles in and ran small spasms of electric current through them. It took the muscles out of spasm and let the others relax. It worked great, but only temporarily. In the end, I had to do something about the stress.

Bottom line, it won't hurt you and if it helps, why not?

[undeterred]

14. Yes, it works.

In fact it even works on animals, and they don't believe in eastern or western medicine.

I have been treated for headaches with acupuncture and trained how to needle some of the points myself. The thing is, when I have a migraine, I don't have the patience to apply the needles and wait for their effect- it hurts too much.

Acupuncture works best if done early in the day several times a week. It can get expensive, and it doesn't cure. But its harmless if done properly and it does provide relief for a lot of people. And there's no side effects. Its gentle medicine.

[TZ]

15. I disagree with NO side effects

My sister for one had to quit it because for hours afterwords her body would be in excruciating pain. It is NOT for everyone.
Playing with nerves is not "gentle medicine".

[undeterred]

16. That should not happen.

The needles are too small to be painful. I assume it must have been done improperly.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Thanks for the comments.

I'll give it a chance, see what happens.

[SPKrazy]

18. Yes, but I'm convinced the practitioner didn't know much about what he was doing

and he hooked up electricity to the needles. It hurt. It didn't help. I also don't think he knew what he was doing.

I've read a lot about acupuncture and the whole theory and background of acupuncture.

I am thinking that 5000 years of Chinese Medicine can't be all wrong. I believe that we have energy fields and energy systems in our bodies. I think that emotions as well as physical problems can jam our systems. I think that acupuncture and acupressure, and even some rather "out on a limb" psychotherapies that involve "tapping" of acupuncture points while thinking about both negative emotions and then replacing with positive thoughts and emotions have shown anecdotal success.

There is so much we don't understand. I have taken Reiki before and I believe in the existence of the Chi or Ki and I think that we will discover how to quantify it and qualify it in the not too distant future when someone discovers some way to make a lot of money off of it. :eyes:

Until then, keep the faith and try it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. The guy I'm going to is an older Chinese man

who got an M.D. degree in China. He doesn't speak much English so there's an office person (a relative?) who translates for him. It has been quite painless so far, apart from a slight sticking sensation at some places. My knee hurts much less right after the treatment, so there's apparently something going on... It's interesting, at least.

[Longhorn]

20. I'm getting acupuncture to help me with the side-effects of chemotherapy.

I've been going every two weeks for a few months now. I also take herbs. I have nothing to compare it with because the acupuncture and chemo started at the same time but I've been doing so well on the chemo, much better than I anticipated, that I believe it's helping me -- and I, too, was a skeptic.

My husband has gone three times now, also every two weeks, to get help with stress. My daughters and I have noticed how much more relaxed he seems. He has herbs to take "as needed."

All I have to do is mention a symptom I'm having and after the treatment, it's gone! I mentioned that I was getting hot flashes (from chemically-induced menopause, though it was time.) In the next week, the hot flashes decreased dramatically! He told me the next time that he adjusted my herbs. I used to get a sharp pain on the back of my left shoulder. Again, the pain has rarely recurred once I told my doctor about it.

Just be careful who you go to. I've noticed acupuncture practices springing up in practically every strip center in town. I can't believe they are all highly qualified. My doctor has a PhD in oncology and a Chinese medical degree. He also teaches at an acupuncture school and is well-known in the acupuncture community. He charges $75 per visit (which often last up to two hours) plus herbs.

Good luck! :hi:

[davsand]

21. Yes, I have had it, and it did work.

The left side of my face went into a spasm that lasted for a couple weeks. My GP tried all the usual pills (even some good muscle relaxers!) and I got no relief.

While doing the exam on me the doc asked about any hearing loss in the prior year. Yep, I had some issues with hearing loss in the ear on that side of my body. I had been pregnant and had the ear infection from hell.

Doc asked about vision changes. Yep, I had needed new glasses--again--while pregnant.

Doc says I need to see a neurologist and sets me up with one in a MONTH. My face is still in a huge spasm and my lip is actually starting to twist up on that side. Darth Cheney had NOTHING up on me...

Finally, in a completely desperate move I call a Chiropractor that I know and head off to her office looking for ANY help I can get. Straight away she says that it might take a "few trips" in to see her. She tells me she will hit some different points each trip. Then she says "I don't want you to pay me until we get it fixed."

:wow:

First time I felt nothing--never even felt the needles--no changes in my face. Return trip in a couple days and I am starting to feel some buzzing tingles in what has been nothing other than a source of pain. On the third trip she puts on needle in a spot on the underside of my jaw and I about jump off the table. By the next morning the spasm was a whole lot better and on the day after that my face was normal.

By the time appointment for the Neurologist came round I was fine. I went in to see her to make sure there was nothing really funky going on (there wasn't) and as I was talking to the Neurologist I told her what I'd done. I have never forgotten her response:

"Yes, acupuncture can work in some cases. We don't know WHY, exactly, but it can work."

Feel better any way you have to!



Laura