Acupuncture

[Tormod]

Since we are in the mood for alternative treatment today, I want to say something about acupuncture.

I am a convert. Of sorts.

Ten years ago I would laugh in the face of anyone who claims acupuncture works. I was literally dragged into an acupuncture clinic to try to solve a sleeping disorder which I have had since I was a kid. It didn't work.

However, a few years later I had a serious back problem. I just woke up one morning and couldn't move. I was actually unable to stand up. I called the doctor who said I had to come over as soon as I could move, but had to expect at least three weeks of recovery before I could walk upright again.

Only problem was...I was supposed to get married 7 days later. So I somehow managed to get into the car and go see the acupuncturist (is that the right term?) and lo and behold with her help I was back on my feet in 3 days. I think it does help that she was also a "real" physiotherapist but all she did was stick needles all over my body for 30 minutes each day for three days.

After this I saw her regularly for a while because I needed help with my sleep problems and massive stress problems. This did not have the desired effect. I did feel that the treatment helped, but it did not last and it did in no way help me solve my problems (eventually I resorted to sleeping pills, which did solve my problem after 3 years...)

So while I have actually experienced "being healed" by acupuncture, I am not 100% convinced that it can solve everything they claim it can. It seems to work fine for muscle problems, aching in joints, and stiffness and other related things, though. As a supplement to regular medicine (and particularly physical activity) I think it is the real thing. I no longer visit my acupuncturist but I would probably do it if I experience muscle problems again.

Has anyone else tried it?

[sundog]

Hi Tormod,

Yes, I've tried it. It worked for both my mother and myself.

Throughout my childhood I suffered migraines. They would come in clusters, sometimes as frequent as once or twice a week, which meant I was missing a lot of school. The various medication I was given to try was completely ineffective, the only cure was 12-24 hours in a darkened room. My mother not only suffered migraine, but also Asthma. When I was 14 years old my mothers GP referred her to a friend of his who practised acupuncture. She went to see this guy, but didn't really like his bedside manner, and after a few visits she didn't feel any better so stopped going. Later she found out about another acupuncturist and started receiving treatment from him. A couple of sessions later she was feeling a little better, so she then asked me if I would like to try it for my migraines. At the time I was doubtful because nothing had worked so far, but I was willing to try almost anything to get rid of this disability.

I don't know about the methods used by your acupuncturist Tormod, but with mine, once the needles were in place, each one was wired to a electrical panel. The acupuncturist would slowly turn some knobs on the panel which sent small pulses of electricity to each of the needles. Though not painful, it would actually make my muscles twitch when turned too high. When the output of the electric panel was set at comfortable levels the Doctor would leave for 10-15 minutes, then return to increase the output a little more and leave for another 15 minutes.

I had 10 weekly sessions of acupuncture and from the first one to this day I have never had a migraine since. Well, there was one case a couple of years ago, but that was self inflicted, I spent too much time around LOUD music at a party, something I normally avoid because of my "tinnitus" (a constant ringing in the ears). But other than that, I have been free of migraines. I do still get headaches, but doesn't everybody.

As for my mother, she only received part treatment because she wouldn't allow the Doctor to put the needles in certain places, like in the temples or below the eyebrows. But even though the Doctor was restricted in what he could do for her, she has still benefited from it. She no longer gets migraines the way she used to, certainly not the nausea that comes with migraine, and her Asthma is all but gone.

If anyone tries acupuncture and find it gives no relief, try a different acupuncturist as their methods seem to vary. The first one my mother went to put needles in different places to the second guy.


sundog

[Aki]

It always scares me when I see on tv people get 50+ stitches on the body. Doesn't that hurt? Even when you pin yourself with a thumbtack, it can hurt a lot

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by Aki

It always scares me when I see on tv people get 50+ stitches on the body. Doesn't that hurt? Even when you pin yourself with a thumbtack, it can hurt a lot

Apparently this is one area in which acupuncture really seems to work (pain relief, and even taking away the sensation of pain completely). They use it during births etc now instead of the usual stuff they inject into the mother's thorax. I know it worked for my wife.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by Aki

It always scares me when I see on tv people get 50+ stitches on the body. Doesn't that hurt? Even when you pin yourself with a thumbtack, it can hurt a lot

Hi Aki,

No, it doesn't hurt at all. The needles they use are extremely fine. They are thinner than any syringe needles, and certainly thinner than a thumb tack. I think a mosquito bite may be comparable.


sundog

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by sundog

Hi Aki,
No, it doesn't hurt at all. The needles they use are extremely fine. They are thinner than any syringe needles, and certainly thinner than a thumb tack. I think a mosquito bite may be comparable.

I agree. I do remember feeling "uncomfortable" sometimes but it never hurt.

[Aki]

Ah, then I want to give it a try. Because I carry lots of textbooks in my backpack, a lot of the time the lower part of my back is really sore. It sounds like acupunture can help, well I hope it doesn't cost too much.

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by Aki

Ah, then I want to give it a try. Because I carry lots of textbooks in my backpack, a lot of the time the lower part of my back is really sore. It sounds like acupunture can help, well I hope it doesn't cost too much.

I think acupunture is good for this. However, simple physiotherapy should help as well. Or simply some exercise...

Acupuncture costs a bit over here but not more than physiotherapy. Give it a shot if you get a chance and let us know how it works for you.

[TINNY]

So no one can give any scientific explanations for all these alternativetreatment?
If I'm not mistaken, they are mostly from the East particularly China. Does this have anything to do with Eastern Philosophy? Some sort of intuition-based knowledge?

[Aki]

I thought acupunture started in China..