Acupuncture success anyone?

[Janpan7]

Hi all, has anyone benefitted from acupuncture? I had my first session last week, mostly on one especially painful arm and one leg. I know we obviously hurt all over, but I'm starting small. 🙄 I had bad headaches and nausea that evening, but prepared to do a 6 week course if it will help?

[LoneEra]

Hi. It seems to be a very personal thing - some people rate it, others don’t - and it also depends how good your acupuncture practitioner is. I’ve had some before that did nothing and then I’ve had some recently with a more qualified physio who did numerous different acupuncture courses both in the UK and in Asia - and the recent sessions have been very helpful. I do tend to feel a bit grim the evening after acupuncture, but it is supposed to assist with eliminating toxins from the body, so this is not entirely unexpected. Personally, I take whatever is on offer because you never know! Xx

[Janpan7 in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you for your reply. As it was a bit pricey, and because I felt rough afterwards, I wasn't sure whether to continue, but feel now it could be worth it.

[Mille21 in reply to Janpan7]

I got mine free through physio xx

[LoneEra in reply to Janpan7]

Ah, I thought as you mentioned 6 weeks it was the free lot through the NHS. If you’re paying privately, I wouldn’t be tied into a specific number of sessions. I would just book 1 session at a time and see how you feel x

[Themanwithnoname]

I was not diagnosed with fibro when having it but have had it in the past for my back and it helped me. Could only have the accupuncture though. No massage with oils as would just put my back out. GL and hope it helps

👍

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

i've had acupuncture in past for localised pain (lower back twice; neck & shoulders). The acupuncture did help with easing the localised pain issues, but had no benefit on my overall /general pains.

[rosewine]

The acupuncture I received through the NHS actually made my pain worse. I have paid privately to see a very experienced acupuncturist who is also trained in Chinese medicine. He gave me valuable information about diet, exercise, pacing, etc. The acupuncture seemed to help my overall pain and energy levels I was literally having problems just walking a few steps initially. I actually feel quite dizzy and fatigued for about a day afterwards but then start to feel the benefits. He looks at how the whole body is functioning rather than just homing in on the area that was causing pain. He actually told me I had a bad chest infection brewing even though at that point I had just felt a bit off colour and he was correct. Good luck with it.

[Janpan7 in reply to rosewine]

Thank you, thats good to know. I'll keep it going I think.

[Rosepetal60]

Up until Covid-19, I’ve been going for Traditional style Chinese Acupuncture for over 20 years. But I was permanently damaged by second one. But I have been mega helped by number 5 who did a large part of his training in China. And had at that time, 10 years training & 30 years of experience. I was in a very bad way health wise when I had my first appointment with him. I really miss his treatment due to Covid restrictions. So it would be a good idea to check what type of training your acupuncturist has had. Number 2 had I think 2 or 3 years training. Some have less. When I came out of a session, I felt relaxed and slept so much better on that night. The last time I had treatment, I paid £55. That was 14 months . Worth every £

[Cat00]

Had a few sessions over the years, nhs and privately, neither helped unfortunately...

[Al10 in reply to Cat00]

Same here.

[Cat00 in reply to Al10]

The last acupuncturist I saw said it would only help if I had it everyday which she new was unaffordable, but I appreciated her honesty about what she said were the limits of acupuncture she allowed me not to waist more money on what she said wouldn't work in the format I could afford it in.

[Charob2]

Hi Janpan7, I have been having acupuncture for 3 years and it most definitely works for me, it can depend on the type and who is doing but I swear by it it is the reason I was able to go back to work, good luck and I hope it helps

[Alb2 in reply to Charob2]

It works for me too and you’re so right about the type/qualifications of the person doing it. Traditional acupuncture is quite different on the whole to that accessed through the NHS due to the level of training traditional acupuncturists undertake.

[Mille21]

Hi I also had a 6 week course which didn't do any good at all but it may work very well for you good luck 😊 I'm on morphine patches now xx

[Anth14]

Good morning. Yes I have acupuncture. I have had it all the way through my 8 years of issues with my neck, back and legs. Also have had dry needling, which helped my neck. I would recommend it, for me it helps with energy as well. Good luck ♥️

[Ladame]

I have had acupuncture for several years, originally for rheumatoid arthritis and I go every month and find it really beneficial. At first I went fortnightly, then three weekly then monthly. I was very cynical about it at first but I’m now a convert! I find it really helps. The lady I go to also does cupping and this feels wonderful on my shoulders! My husband goes now as well for neck and back problems. Hope you find relief x

[geminilady]

Hi Janpan 7. I had acupuncture and it was totally successful. I couldnt move my arms, couldnt pull up my own pants, couldnt even put my own clothes on, the pain was terrible across my collar bones and both shoulders. My physio got to the stage where he darent even touch me, so he recommended acupuncture. I had a half hour session every week for 4 weeks. He told me after the first session that i would be in extreme pain that first night, and i was. But when i woke the next morning, i couldnt believe how i felt. I was able to shower myself, put my clothes on etc. It was like a miracle had happened. I did start to seize up again as the week went on, until my next session. After that, i had no upper body pain whatsoever and the effects lasted well over a year. I did try acupuncture for my lower body pain too, but strangely that just did absolutely nothing - didnt work at all. As i mentioned, my physio recommended it, so i got it free through the NHS. I would definitely recommend a course. Good luck, i hope it works for you too. x

[Janpan7 in reply to geminilady]

Wow, that sounds encouraging. My arms are similar, can hardly brush my hair somedays. Nothing miraculous after first treatment, but I will keep it going a bit longer and be hopeful.x

[Makie-Uppie]

Acupuncture helped me but after having it the benefits were rather small and really did not justify the cost. Though I did enjoy the outing and the chat with the staff and they made great tea. The Acupuncturist said it wasn't working but I differed with them saying it was having an effect so we did persisted with the treatment for a while but it was killed off by the cost.

[gemmahughes1987]

It made mine worse seeing a chiropractor and getting deep tissue massage helps

[veggiefan70]

I know it helps some people, but I managed three sessions several years ago and struggled, as it felt way too painful. It was administered by a GP who was sympathetic, but had little knowledge of Fibro. Possibly one or two of the needles were inserted into a tender spot.

This isn't the case for most people, as I've spoken with others who have tried it and with varied results. Certainly worth a try.

[Janpan7 in reply to veggiefan70]

Yes mine definitely hit a tender spot, it really hurt, but everything hurts us more doesn't it.😪

[Judithdalston]

Had whole programmes thru two different acupuncturists...neither obviously improved fibro or other chronic/acute pain...I’ve found my (2) McTimoney trained gentle chiropractors are the only ones to shift both types of pain etc.

[Purplebluebell]

Hello,I had great success with acupuncture on a nerve type pain in my arm. I initially felt really tired so the next session was made shorter and then I was able to cope. I'd have another course for another area. It was several years ago and the pain has never returned to that spot.

[Janpan7 in reply to Purplebluebell]

Thank you, thats good to know.

[JayCeon]

I'm a rare one in that it really hurt me, during I could hardly move for pain in almost every place the needles were in, and I could often hardly walk after, 1x9x, 1x1x. Neither of the two were Chinese trained tho, but the latter was one with a befriended doc who claimed to be able to almost heal fibro - so I didn't go to this friend. (The Chinese trained one I'd wanted to go to didn't take on patients due to CoV.)

[Hidden]

Hi i had the worst flare up after acupuncture my nervers were fireing missiles it was horrible but may benefit u so please dont let my horror story put u off xxx