Acupuncture, your experience?

Parent Cafe
1

For those who have tried acupuncture for various pain reasons, can you share your thoughts and experience?

I have AC joint osteoarthritis in my left shoulder, nagging pain all day long, worse when sleeping, certain movements hurt a lot more. Orthopedic doctor told me physical therapy won’t work for AC joint problem, I had cortisone shot, didn’t do a thing, so basically pain killer, heat/cold compress and activity modifications are the prescribed remedies. I go to strength training exercise class at the senior center for the past year and a half, now I stop any motions that I can’t “see” my hands, no triceps curls behind head, no weights above head, no push ups, no dips etc.

I also have herniated disc at L4-L5, still have constant mild pain, but with exercise for the past year, core is stronger and pain has decreased somewhat, I do a lot of stretching at home too, but still would like to find more ways to alleviate pain to even a lesser extent.

So, I am thinking of trying acupuncture for shoulder and lower back pain. Have a physical in a couple of days, will talk to doctor about it and see what she recommends.

At the mean time, would like to hear your experiences, good or bad.

Thanks.

2

Think you should try it. Some MDs don’t like alternate methods. I’ve had good luck with traditional acupuncture in my arthritic knees and spondylethesis (l5/s1) and dry needling for my spondylethesis with good success. I also spend a lot of time with daily stretch/core/strength to keep symptoms at bay due to my heavy running. Have you also tried a sports med doc vs an ortho? I’ve also used a tens unit with good success. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XXDTC3W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OXm1zbY9SN6S5

3

I was so wary of acupuncture, but gave it a try. Very painful muscle knot in my shoulder blade, degenerative disc disease in my neck and osteoarthritis in my lower back. I did physical therapy, was on Celebrex, lumbar pillow and insurance even purchased me a neck traction machine. Yes, it helped, but not enough. After a year of constant pain of varying degrees, I decided to try it…skeptical that I was.

She is a Chinese lady that has lived here for years, doctors refer their patients to her. She told me she could give me relief, but not cure me. She wanted to see me for 7 sessions, spacing out the sessions as we progressed. After 3 sessions, I felt a lot of relief and after 7 sessions I was pain free. Yes, pain free!!! I told her she was my miracle medicine. I went to her for 5 years, about every 2 -3 months for one or two sessions. I was off the meds and physical therapy. I didn’t need the neck traction. I am a true believer now!!

My elderly aunt had frozen shoulders. I told her about my acaupuncturist and of course she was skeptical. Then her GP told her about a wonderful acupuncturist, because she didn’t want to give her shots. Well, guess who that was? Now she was all for it. My doc was able to unfreeze one shoulder, she could lift her elbow past her shoulder. The other arm, she could only lift halfway to her shoulder. She was thrilled.

It doesn’t hurt and it’s actually very relaxing, enough that I’ll doze until she comes in to touch the needles. Sometimes she puts a hot lamp with the needles, other times she would cup the muscle knot. The first time she did it I felt maybe 6 needles…again, it didn’t hurt. As she was taking them out I counted, and she had 36 in…haha.

I figured that it couldn’t hurt to try, it’s not like a med that could do harm. Worse case scenario, nothing happens, but then you’ll know. If you don’t try, you’ll always wonder. But, one or two sessions at the beginning won’t work. You have to go multiple times at first, before maintenance.

If you are in the Midwest, PM me. I can tell you who she is.

4

I was in significant pain for several months because of a nerve impinged upon by the piriformus muscle through which it ran. Every day I did stretching exercises targeting to the area, but nothing helped. I could not sleep without hydrocodone. My medical practice had a “complimentary medicine” specialist, and he used acupuncture, amongst other things. Very hard to get an appointment: he was very much in demand. When I finally did, the doctor used acupuncture. The pain immediately began to “break up” is how I would describe it, and was gone in a week.

The doctor in this case is an MD who is also trained in acupuncture. Happily, more of the doctors in the practice have pursued the complimentary medicine route/training since then.

So I am a fan of acupuncture for pain. :slight_smile:

5

@ohiopublic, I have not thought of a sports med doc, will look into it and ask my primary doctor. I have been using a TENS unit for a couple of months on both my shoulder and lower back, it helps a little (could be psychological?).

@conmama, it couldn’t hurt to try, that’s what I am thinking, now that my new health insurance does cover it (my previous HMO didn’t). Only 2 acupuncturists in network, one of them has practiced over 25 years, maybe I give her a try.

Thanks again.

6

Within my immediate family, we have seen an acupuncturist for migraines, muscle spasms in the lower back (my then-11 yo swimmer), elbow something or another (my gymnast), back pain (I could barely stand up from the chair in his lobby, and within 2 hours of leaving, my pain was 80% gone) and frozen shoulder caused by an injury. It worked on everything. It does not hurt. One of my daughters has zero tolerance for pain, and she fell asleep during the treatment of her back.

7

My old boss was sold on acupuncture after it worked on his MIL’s dog. He figured the dog’s improvement could not have been from the placebo effect.

Good luck. Different treatments will work for different people. It sounds like you have tried enough that this is worth a try.

8

I’ve known several musicians with pain to arms, fingers, back, etc from repetitive stress injuries. All have been pleased with their outcomes after acupuncture. I myself have had acupuncture treatments for migraines. Although I found the treatments relaxing, it was not as effective for me as regular chiropractic visits for relieving and reducing the migraines. I would not hesitate to try again for different types of pain or muscle injuries.

9

Don’t know about pain, but acupuncture helped my mom significantly with her balance problems after a stroke.

10

It’s helped me tremendously, but it doesn’t always work, and the skill of the practitioner is paramount in whether it will work. Even with the practitioner I like the most, sometimes it doesn’t work and other modalities are indicated.

I would look for someone who trained and practiced in China where it is much more accepted because that practitioner is much more likely to have vast clinical experience. I find that domestically trained practitioners often don’t have enough “reps” to really get it right. My Naturopath also does acupuncture, and he tried it for me and I could tell right away that it was subpar. I just didn’t “feel the qi”. When it works well, you can “feel the qi” and feel it working on you right away. I don’t know how to explain that feeling, but you’ll know it when you feel it.

11

^^ I totally agree about the experience and skill of the acupuncturist, especially one from China. However, I’ve never felt the ‘qi’. Perhaps that’s because I’ve never known anyone else but mine. A good one will tell you if she can’t he,p you with something.

12

^^
When they turn the needle a little and you feel this kind of “glow” around the point as though they’ve activated it.

13

Another option that I know very little about but I have a physical therapist friend who is going to training for dry needling, it sounded similar and another option to research.

14

Mine comes in and slightly touches them all over and you can feel the tingle. Are u saying that you’ve been to others where they do that and you don’t feel it. Mine has never turned anything.

15

I had 12 acupuncture treatments, once per week, for L4-L5 post- surgery sciatica. It was done by an Internal Medicine MD. It helped me greatly. No, not with my back spasms. Before the treatment I had a severe case of needle phobia. Now, I can get lab work done with minimal anxiety.

16

So far, your experience are mostly positive, I do understand result varies with individuals.

The one acupuncturist in my insurance network started out in China, with over 25 years of experience. There is another who is an internist but also does acupuncture, much younger. I have to decide which one to go to.

I am a little afraid of needles, how many do they use? Do they hurt a little? How long do they stay in? And will it be practical to get treatment for both shoulder and lower back at the same appointment?

Thanks for all your helpful posts.

17

I tried it once. Older man from China. He told me to stop taking birth control because I’m interfering with nature.

Clearly never went back. I do want to try again but I need to get better recommendations.

I have RA and lupus so everything and everywhere hurts. The only thing that’s worked for me is massage therapy.

18

I’ve tried acupuncture and it worked for some of my allergies.
Have you thought about asking your Doctor about “ Platelet Rich Plasma”( PRP, for short) ? PRP is blood that is taken from your own body( arm or leg) and put into a centerfuge to separate the platelets. Then those platelets are placed into a syringe and injected back into your body in the area that you are experiencing pain. After 2-3 weeks your body will be pain free. I have had 4-5 friends who have had this treatment done and all have been pain free for 4 years. Ask your your Doctor about the procedure to see if it will work for you.

19

My treatments consisted of me laying face down on a comfortable padded table. The doctor stuck about 15-18 needles in me and then clipped electrodes to each one. I would estimate that the actual procedure part took about 20 minutes. You only get a slight “pinch” when the needle gets inserted, just under the skin surface. Have you tried using a Tens Unit? That is a device that sends electrical impulses (fully adjustable) into you from pads that can be applied to areas of your shoulder, back, etc. It basically “wears out” the spasm. I found some relief with this technique.

20

I’d definitely go with the one with 25 years experience. Yes, both neck and back can be treated. You have the option of laying on your stomach if you can. There is a face pillow like a masseuse uses. If it’s too uncomfortable, they will lay you on you side. Mine uses a lot of pillows between legs, under head, under arms, etc. for comfort. Those needles are so thin. Like I said, I felt 6 out of 36 going in. They will put them all over. It’s truly not bad at all. Mine puts on soothing music and the session lasts 30 minutes. It is so relaxing, I typically doze on and off. Sometimes, she will use the electrodes on the muscle knot, which helps. That is a pulsating feeling, and they will put it to a comfortable level if it’s used, most of the time she didn’t use it. I swear, it’s 10 times worse going to the dentist. I’m so relaxed when it’s over, I’m bummed that it’s done.