Has anyone tried acupuncture?

[taylorc]

I suffer from SAD, and I read acupuncture can offer some relief. I curious to hear some experiences. I’m wondering what it really feels likes. I’m not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I’ve got a depression problem and my (Catholic) therapist taught me some very simple accupressure techniques which have helped me immensely. Granted, it’s only a close cousin to accupuncture, but it works by the same principles.

 

[puzzleannie]

the first year we came down here I was for all intents and purposes bedridden with arthritis, for which no drugs or standard medical treatment provided relief, and was getting progressively weaker through inability to move and exercise. Visited MD in Mexico, just over the border, for acupuncture and within 6 weeks was moving, swimming, walking, biking, volunteering at church and within 3 months able to take on a full time job. I visited him every month for the next year, and since then visit for 2-3 weeks of treatments when I have flare-ups, and am still going strong, at least as far as arthritis and fibromyalgia are concerned.

 

[Teakafrog]

I’ve had acupuncture for my migraines (from a VERY Catholic doctor), and it did help some. It didn’t hurt at all–I didn’t even feel the needles going in, and he put them in my face and head. It wasn’t a cure-all, but I think it did help. So I say try it–can’t hurt anything, and just might help you.

 

[taylorc]

Thank you for the responses. Acupuncture has always been something I’ve wanted to try. It looks awesome. Hearing positive experiences has only pushed me further to trying it.

 

[Joannm]

My daughter is an accupuncturist (actually she is taking her boards on the 21st so keep her in prayer While she cannot practice publically until she passes she has “practiced” on us. I have slight arthritis in my hands and can tell you that it worked wonders for that. She is also going to take extra classes to work with women for fertility problems and to treat menopausal symptoms and other problems like PMS. I have read where there is a lot of success with accupunture in this area.

Unfortunaly she moved to California and I haven’t had a treatment in awhile. With the cold weather my arthritis is acting up and I really need a treatment. Our insurance does not cover it so I may need to go to the school where she earned her degree to get a treatment that costs a bit less.

 

[armywife]

I haven’t had the need to, but my sister has gone and it helped her a lot. He even referred her to the ophthalmologist, so she knew he wasn’t trying to take advantage. She’s used him for mostly migrane issues and really likes it. It doesn’t hurt in the slightest.

 

[udoc89]

I went to a podiatrist in the late 80s for a badly ingrown toenail. He had done some kind of residency in China. Wow! Those tiny needles stuck in my oh-so-sore big toe (for the anesthetic) were wonderful. The procedure were no more painful than a haircut.

My son, on the other hand, went to a well-respected podiatrist at a university hospital for the same procedure. This was in 2002. This man did not use acupuncture techniquest. My son’s experience was much worse than my own had been 15 years before.

I have a friend who goes to Houston for acupuncture treatments (for her arthritic knees, I think.) She swears she couldn’t function without them.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I went to a podiatrist in the late 80s for a badly ingrown toenail. He had done some kind of residency in China. Wow! Those tiny needles stuck in my oh-so-sore big toe (for the anesthetic) were wonderful. The procedure were no more painful than a haircut.

My son, on the other hand, went to a well-respected podiatrist at a university hospital for the same procedure. This was in 2002. This man did not use acupuncture techniquest. My son’s experience was much worse than my own had been 15 years before.

I have a friend who goes to Houston for acupuncture treatments (for her arthritic knees, I think.) She swears she couldn’t function without them.

My father-in-law always had back problems, had surgeries, etc. and when he was older had severe pain in his back and legs, making life miserable for him. He went to an Anesthesiologist who did acupuncture treatments on him, and in a few weeks he was back on the golf course. The pain was not 100% gone, but it was so reduced that he could enjoy his retirement again. Also, his treatments were covered by Medicare. He said also that the treatments were not painful.

 

[Joannm]

The only painful part of the treatment is when the needles are put it, but they hurt less than getting a regular injection at the doctor. The practiononer uses a tube type instrument to quickly tap in the needle. Once they are in there is no pain at all, maybe a bit of tingling. Sometimes they have to jiggle the needles depending on the treatment and that might cause a bit of discomfort but no real pain. Many patients fall asleep during treatments my daughter tells me.