Wondering how many are treated in this fashion, for what and how effective.

I was in serious pain for about three weeks due to my two herniated lumbar discs. All the meds I have were not being effective. I couldn't sit, I couldn't stand, I couldn't lay down. I was getting ready to call the pain specialist and beg for another series of multiple level epidural blocks.

With this pain, I went on a cruise as had no choice as already paid. While on board, I passed by the spa and saw they had an Acupuncture treatment available. I was in so much pain I figured I would try anything once.

To my surprise, it practically took away all my pain. I had three great days after that with just minor discomfort. It worked so well, I went for a second treatment on the second to last day of the cruise. As result, was able to dance the night away with the wife every night of the cruise with little discomfort.

I am now a believer of this practice and have been referred by a friend (same guy that told me over and over again to try it) to a local Chinese Dr. I am now curious about things like Hypertension and High Cholesterol, both of which I have under control but only via meds. I am curious if anyone has been treated for these two latter conditions and how effective it has been. I now will gladly prefer the Acupuncture pins over my once in a while epidural blocks. The needle for the latter is much, much larger and more dangerous.
[Reply]

Never tried it myself, but my father and wife both have. Both have had positive results, so I too am a believer. Both were treated for pain, my father's being something that his doctors told him he'd have to learn to live with.

Apparently there are two different types, Chinese (long needle) and Japanese (short needles). Not sure which is more effective, but I would be willing to give either a shot.
[Reply]

I had the Chinese version done by a Spanish doctor trained in Chinese medicine. He did a combination of a quite rough deep massage followed by the needles. Unbelievable the difference that the two treatments have made in the quality of life for me. While I still feel some discomfort, nothing even remotely near what I had. I have yet to take another pill.
[Reply]

Never tried it, but prolly would if I needed to.:-)
[Reply]

How would I find a practitioner who is good, safe, and won't mess up my back more than it already is?
[Reply]

Being a runner for some years now you eventually run into some aches and pains. One of these such problematic issue is (plantar fasciitis) a condition of the heel and arch due to overuse, I shutter as I am fighting this now. As a result I have done much research into the issue and it always comes to Dry needling a form of Acupuncture. This process breaks up the scar tissue and allows blood to flow and nerves to be relived of the pressure. I am by far not a Doc however many,many people have told me this process by far had the best results. I wish you well and hope you find the relief you need.
[Reply]

I have had lots of acupuncture treatments and related therapies. I know a few acupuncturists personally and they recommend it for almost anything you can imagine. Personally, I know it works on things that western medicine has no real cure for such as sprained and twisted joints and swelling and chronic pain type issues. It doesn't miraculously cure stuff, but it does increase comfort and speed up healing times. I've seen people get it for things as strange as baldness and acne, but I find it hard to believe that it actually works for things like that.

I know that for me as soon as I sprain something, I book an appointment with my acupuncturist, who also happens to be a licensed MD, PHD and pain management therapist, and it helps it get better much faster. You can definitely try it for hypertension and stuff like that, I don't have first-hand experience, but since the reasons why acupuncture works is still very much unknown, it very well may help you there as well. It's worth a shot, but I would say not immediately in lieu of medication, maybe in addition to it and seeing if that helps at all first. Also, try to find an acupuncturist who is also a licensed physician because then your insurance might cover some of the costs. Mine is in my insurance group so all I have to do is pay a copay whenever I want to go.
[Reply]

I've been going for over 15 years for back pain and sinus issues... Works for me! :-)
Posted via Mobile Device
[Reply]

I've done it several times when I had back pain issues from a herniated disk. It worked OK, but not great enough to keep doing it. I went to a local famous acupunture school for my treatment. I found it fascinating how the pins went in and even the thought of lying on my back with the pins in! How cool is that?

Chiropractor and stretching is "fixed" my back problems. I would love to do some acupunture sessions just for the heck of it and would recommend at least trying it for issues that have not gone away in your body. Other non-western treatments are worth checking out. I am lucky they are common in locale.
[Reply]

Yeah after breaking my back and severely tearing some nerves I have tried the acupuncture and found as much if not more relief as I have from the daily diet of pills. As for the other ailments I have read, and heard they can be treated. My acupuncturist has many patients with hypertension and even diabetes how keep returning. Its worth the shot even if it works for a little while as far as I am concerned. I am glad you where able to salvage your cruise.
[Reply]

Remember that in addition to accupuncture most of them will point you in the directions of herbs that can help with those conditions. I haven't tried any but my dog was given a day or two to live but one of the vets suggested some Chinese herbs and she's been going strong ever since, and this was six months ago. Definitely made me a believer.
[Reply]

Along time ago I had tendentious in my wrist from work and tried everything. Nothing seemed to help. It was actually getting worse when my friends mom talked me into trying acupuncture. After a month of doing it 2 times a week for an hour each visit it was a day and night difference. The pain was probably 1/3 less. I continued with the acupuncture for about two more months and it was pretty much gone. This was about 6-7 years ago and never had an issue with my wrist again. I still have the same job I did then so I'm not really doing anything different.

At first I just brushed off the idea of acupuncture, but now I tell friends to give it a try if nothing has helped with an injury.
[Reply]

For anyone considering acupuncture, you'll notice one thing in everyone's post... There is no reference to the pins hurting. They do not hurt at all. I have had pins into my scalp, bottom of foot, laid down on pins in my back... It's either the pin itself, or where they place it, but anyone who's a needle chicken; fret not.
[Reply]

You feel them but I wouldn't call it pain at all.
Once he placed them all on me, he adjusted them until the point I felt a little jolt for a lack of a better description on my part. Still, not a painful thing, just weird.
In the end, didn't stop being from going for a second treatment.
[Reply]

i cannot comment from personal experience. My coworker had it performed to stop smoking cigarettes and hes not had a smoke for 140 days. So i assume it is effective in some capacities.
[Reply]

The army docs use something call combat acupuncture and its placed into your ear and stays in up to 5 days. I get this done once to twice a month and it really improves my back pain. Of course you look kind of silly with little brass needles in your ears for 4-6 days.
[Reply]

Combat acupuncture sounds like some variation on throwing shuriken at your opponents :-)

Interesting thought though, managing pain with acupuncture on the battlefield. Is it a widespread practice?
[Reply]

Wow. Interesting.
[Reply]

Not real widespread and with the army they call anything combat. But honestly the first time I had it done the doc and I where walking out the hospital and he was doing it on the move. Pretty cool and it has opened my eyes to actually trying the real thing in a clinical setting with the smoking needles and all that happy new age mumbo jumbo. Here is a shot of my ear rings:

Attached:

[Reply]

Looks like a piercing. Hey, if you can get acupunture for free or real cheap, why wouldn't you do it? "No, I don't like to relax or feel good..."
[Reply]