Acupuncture is it worth it?

[Sueculver]

Hi just read rotties post re acupuncture. My wife keeps nagging me to try it but I'm really skeptical? For me it's, I'm in enough pain without someone sticking needles in me! Would welcome everybody's point of view

[Trikki]

Believe it or not you barely feel the needles if done proficiently....I found it a great help when first diagnosed 30 odd years ago but I was needing it more and more and my finances couldn't stretch that far....also my lovely little Chinese man went back to China!! x

[Ramjets]

Yes I have often wondered if there's any point to acupuncture (sorry for pun, just couldn't resist!). I have asked my physio to refer me as she said she may be able to organise a session for me through NHS. I've heard conflicting reports that it works wonders for some but waste of time for others but it's not really meant to hurt. I'm willing to try it as I don't want to rely on just medication. There's no harm giving it a go as it may have a beneficial affect on you but then if it does cause you any pain you can just tell them to stop. Take care hun x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Sueculver

I have had acupuncture myself twice.

My Fibro pain is very severe, but I can assure you that you do not feel the needles going in.

The "needles" are incredibly slim (you can barely see them) and you do not feel them going in or even know they are there.

I have a very low tolerance to pain, but I can assure you that it doesn't hurt.

You could always make an appointment and go along and tell the therapist how frightened you are of needles.

I am sure that they will be able to reassure you.

Please do let us know how you get on if you decide to give it a try.

Wishing you a peaceful day

Lu xx

[Sueculver]

Thanks for replying. I'm not scared of needles lol. It was a pun but I was implying it's efficacy! I resent paying for a therapy if I'm not sure is going to work

[rosewine]

I pay privately for acupuncture since my Pain specialist retired so the NHS electro acupuncture I received ceased to be available. I found the NHS needle acupuncture hopeless but I now go to someone who is a Chinese medicine expert and acupuncturist. He has more knowledge of fibro and how it affects the body than any medical person I have met. He treats the whole person not just the symptoms. I was in desperation with hip and lower back pain and fatigue when I first went to see him and am certainly leading s better life now. In fact my next sessions is Thursday. He is also helping my husband who has cancer and is experiencing hit flushes. My husband was rather sceptical but desperate for help and it certainly seems to have eased them.

By the way it shouldn't hurt at all as long as the needles are placed correctly. He spends some time making sure they are positioned correctly and if he goes to put them in place and as he presses finds he is hurting me he doesn't put the needle there but finds an alternative position. I think it is worth a try. I found they worked more the more I had. He finds out which symptom is causing me the most distress at that particular time and tests that one. Good luck with whatever you decide.x

[hebden]

I had it done 4 times by NHS physiotherapist. It didn't hurt and I did find it helped with the pain levels but as it was only done 4 times it was short lived relief. I would have more done if I could. I also had 4 sessions of hot hand wax which was good for my stiff painful swollen hands. Joolz.x

[Midori]

My GP used to do acupuncture, and I felt it really helped my back pain (Nursing injury, pre Fibro). Unfortunately he has since retired.

The only way to know if it will help you is to try it, some folk it helps, some it doesn't. Worth one session to see if it does.