Anyone try Accupuncture?

[sr71blackbird]

I am thinking of trying accupuncture to deal with neck pain and carpal tunnel type pain. But has anyone here tried it and know if it really helps or is it hocus pokus?

[lleeder]

I tried it but my wife complained that the needles made her bleed.

[sr71blackbird]

Did it hurt and did it take the other pain away and was it lasting?

[sr71blackbird]

Wow, check her out! www.artofacupunctureny.com/practice.html

[opie's twisted balls]

My experience has been that acupuncture can be an effective adjunct way to manage with acute pain but not a way to eliminate the cause itself.

[sr71blackbird]

I wondered if it is equivalent to one stubbing their toe and their head ache miraculously goes away?
But I am also aware that your body deposits lymph around an injury or strain, and everyone has felt a "knot" in their muscles. Rubbing that area breaks up that lymph and the fluid leaves the area and the pressure is lessened. That might play a roll in the perception of decreased pain after a massage. I wonder if these needles do a similar job of breaking up the lymph? Is that why it is effective? The Chinese have been doing this for 4,000 years or so, so there would have to be something to that fact was well, right?

[opie's twisted balls]

I wonder if these needles do a similar job of breaking up the lymph? Is that why it is effective? The Chinese have been doing this for 4,000 years or so, so there would have to be something to that fact was well, right?
Again, this is just based on my understanding based on anecdotal experience and applying EMT knowledge.

I think its more that the needles accomplish a couple of things. One they act as a physical block to the nerve thats transmitting the pain stimulus from the injury point to the brain. So you still have the pain, you just aren't feeling it. Two is that they cause the body to increase the amount of endorphins being released as part of the natural pain response. This helps in the analgesic effect and may contribute to quicker healing.

As for the the Chinese and their style of medicine. There's no doubt that western medicine needs to take a lesson from not only the Chinese but all traditional healing as there is clearly some substance there. As you say, its been practiced for thousands of years and there is demonstrable success. My own opinion is that the best model would be to use western techniques along side herbal/traditional ones to achieve optimum results.

Paging Dr. Steve to call me out on my flawed pontificating.

[sr71blackbird]

It makes sense in a way, but I would imagine that as a physical block to the nerve sending impulses, that as soon as the needle is removed, the pain would return. If that is the case, I am pretty sure people would not keep going back and it wouldn't have been around 4,000 years. The endorphin aspect makes sense too. I just wonder if there are people here who use or have used an acupuncturist and if it helped them. I have not slept a full night in weeks, which may account for my wacky posts lately.

[opie's twisted balls]

It makes sense in a way, but I would imagine that as a physical block to the nerve sending impulses, that as soon as the needle is removed, the pain would return. If that is the case, I am pretty sure people would not keep going back and it wouldn't have been around 4,000 years.
When I've been poked the needle always gets a little tweak after its in or has been attached to something like a TENS device. Maybe that helps to add a bit more irritation to the nerve in attempts to prolong the experience.

The endorphin aspect makes sense too.
The endorphin rush is AMAZING. I sleep like a baby after having gotten acupuncture. Get a better effect after getting inked. You're flooded with such a rush of adrenalin as well that when you come down its like you've been hit by a sledge hammer wrapped in a pillow. It hits hard but isn't at all unpleasant.

I have not slept a full night in weeks, which may account for my wacky posts lately.
Noted and appropriate slack to be cut.

[boosterp]

There was a study done by the Brits a while back showing it to be effective but the causes still need to be investigated/ One of the major causes of back pain is body weight followed by body position (such as hunching over a key board all day).

In combination with medication acupuncture was the miracle I needed when I tore (2cm) my trapezius from my right shoulder blade. I went twice a week for 1 month followed by once a week for a month and it worked.

[furie]

just dark sorcery, i say!

[zentraed]

http://www.acupuncture-schools.us/national-institute-health-nih-acupuncture.cfm

In 2003, the World Health Organization published a landmark study, titled "Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials". A summary of their findings is quoted below. Diseases and disorders that can be treated with acupuncture

...

1. Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved-through controlled trials-to be an effective treatment:

...
Neck pain
...

I went for a few sessions in college just for the hell of it. I'd go again if my insurance covered it.

[robot artist]

A girlfriend of mine had been in a car accident as a teenager, and dealt with back pain for years with no relief - until she went to a certified accupuncturist.

She's been going once or twice a month on a regular basis ever since (a good ten years or more by now) and swears that it's the only thing that's ever helped her. At one point I tried going to her doctor as well to deal with some neck pain, but it did nothing for me.

So I would say go with an open mind and give it a try - by my experience, you've got at least a 50/50 shot.

[sr71blackbird]

I made an appointment with my family doctor for today and will ask him about it and I have already made contact with the woman I linked above. She is gorgeous! This pain is really bothering me today. I can't wait for relief.

[weekapaugjz]

My chick goes every once in awhile for stress. She swears it works for her. hopefully it works for you SR. Keep up posted on how it works for you.

[tanless1]

Have you tried massage specific to your issue ? Once she started hitting the trigger points in my pec's ( ouww.painful) ....helped a lot.

[weekapaugjz]

Have you tried massage specific to your issue ? Once she started hitting the trigger points in my pec's ( ouww.painful) ....helped a lot.

Trigger point therapy and shiatsu is fucking great. My chick practices her techniques on me so she doesn't get rusty. Most people at her place go for swedish massage.

[sr71blackbird]

I was def.thinking of getting a massage. I will see what my doc says and then look for someone. If anyone knows one in Nassau County, let me know. Thanks for the well wishes!

[GregPointer]

Sounds like an oriental thing.

[opie's twisted balls]

She is gorgeous!...............I can't wait for relief.
Acupuncture with a happy ending, sounds like a couple of pricks will be involved.

[sr71blackbird]

I went to my family doctor this afternoon and he scheduled me for a nerve test this Friday. This will isolate where the issue is and figure out a course of action. I remembered before I went that a few weeks ago I was in the shower and leaning my head under the water and I twisted my neck and heard a crunch and it felt like a lightning bolt went through me. Its been about as long since these sensations have been happening and my neck stiffness has been worse too. I mentioned it to him and he said the tests will tell, and I asked him if I should get my neck adjusted at a chiropractor and he said it may help and may not but that he would wait.
When I came home I tried stretching it out and twisting and trying to get it to crack, but I never was able to anyway.

[weekapaugjz]

if your neck is sore, twisting it around is not going to make it feel better. limited movement would probably be best unless done by a professional.

[sr71blackbird]

I know that you are right, and I will wait for the doctor. I just thought if I could flex it and get it to go back into position I might get relief. I know its kind of stupid and might make things worse.

[boosterp]

I know that you are right, and I will wait for the doctor. I just thought if I could flex it and get it to go back into position I might get relief. I know its kind of stupid and might make things worse.

Chiropractor + neck = hell nos! Never let them adjust your neck, never!