It came up in conversation.....

[PJ1163]

........a colleague at work was asking me about RA. We were talking about medication and she suddenly asked me if I had ever had acupuncture. Answer is no. Has anybody else ever tried any alternative therapies?

[Hidden]

My OH had it for his stubbornly swollen ankle. He was very uncertain whether there was any benefit but felt it was worth a go.

[nomoreheels]

It's an odd thing but acupuncture works for some but not others. I had it as part of treatment for whiplash. I have cervical spondylosis & must say I think it helped though difficult to honestly say if it was that alone that sorted it because the Physio tried a few different procedures, manipulation, massage, personalised exercises I did at home. He did tailor my treatment with me having RD though so if you're thinking of trying anything both consult with your Rheumy & if it's given the green light ensure the person you see has both the CNHC (regulatory body for alternative therapies) & holds the BAcC qualification (to practice acupuncture).

I've not tried any other therapies that can be considered alternative so can't help there sorry.

[PJ1163 in reply to nomoreheels]

Not even given it a thought to be honest, just got me curious to know if anyone had given it a whirl.

[Hidden in reply to PJ1163]

It was available from the NHS physio, but some would say a fully trained acupuncturist is something different entirely.

[hawker955]

Yes and it didn't help. It was stopped soon when I was deemed to be at too high risk of infection via the needle punctures and my immuno-suppression from Humira. Luckily, I don't really need it.

[Gnarli]

Pre RD I had acupuncture for a painful shoulder and it worked for three days after each session. My GP at the time had taken various courses in it and I didn't feel a thing except relief. Being very sceptical of things alternative the positive result came as a surprise

J

[Hidden]

I have tried it twice, not go me, would have been better going to a Sangoma or a radox bat

[Happygranny1958]

I had acupuncture at hospital with the physio, my RD started in my neck and shoulder. I had about 6 sessions but they only worked for a day or two each time. X

[Mmrr]

I had acupuncture many years ago , pre RA days for a back problem. It gave me some temporary pain relief.

[weathervane]

I had it years ago when my back went into severe spasm when ribs subluxed , it actually was the first thing that helped. I have had it since for other pain but it didn’t work as well .

[cathie]

Yes I had acupuncture Yeats ago. I wouldn’t claim too much but it did help me relax which helps when you’re in pain

[Aloquifiqie]

I had Accupuncture for massively heavy periods and it was a miracle. Completely sorted me out. I’ve also had it for knee pain with less success but then I needed a knee replacement so I do t know if Accupuncture would ever have solved that issue.

[oldtimer]

The first few times that I had acupuncture I was not in a flare - just the grumbly background pain that I have in between. Then on one occasion I went when I had a flare and we had to abandon the session as it made the pain much worse! I don't know if it was just that I had so much pain anyway... Then I moved and I haven't tried it since.

[Joy_1]

Acupuncture worked for me. I had it for my feet.

It works for some and not for others. But I feel it's worth giving it a go.

[Leics]

I’ve had 6 sessions of acupuncture unfortunately I’m one of those people who had a bad reaction. Instead of switching pain off sent my RA into attack mode was awful but is quite rare and unfortunate I’m just one of the unlucky ones.

[PJ1163]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experience of acupuncture. It sounds as though a cocktail of grapefruit crush and tram drivers gilberts would work just as well

[Hidden]

Hi I’m trying it now and for me it definitely does something for pain relief. By the end of a day at work my hands tingle and to use them to do anything hurts - but I went into the Accupunture session and came out with no pain (it may have been just resting them for 30 minutes....) The reason I’m trying it is inflammation in my one knee. Although the meds are controlling my RA nothing seems to reduce the swelling of the knee - I would say that feels slightly improved - I’m on session 3 and was recommended to gave 6 so we will see. I guess we can only try things and see if they work for us