Acupuncture?

[Hellerup]

Has anyone had any success with acupuncture? I have had unremitting RA pain in my shoulders and arms since the pandemic. I am due to see a new specialist soon ( I have just moved house). I am hoping to go onto biologicals but everything in the NHS moves so slowly if atall. I expect the specialists get bored with us all but my goodness I am so bored with RA! I wondered if acupuncture might help?

[helenlw7]

I had acupuncture several years ago when the RA in my elbows was playing up. I had six sessions, I think, and it was successful.

[Blackberrywine]

I had acupuncture years ago for back pain (before diagnosed). I seem to remember it being very helpful. I'd give it another go if it wasn't so pricey.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I’ve had it twice for lower back muscle pain / sciatica. It didn’t make any difference to me either time - it didn’t hurt and you’re not aware of the needles but it didn’t help. I suppose it’s a case of everyone is different.

[Wobbies]

I had it for my knees and it exacerbated the pain.

[Amnesiac3637]

I had it done some years ago on a trigger point in a torn trapezius muscle. The ordinary needles did nothing but the acupuncturist, who was also an anaesthetist, used electro -acupuncture for the later sessions and that did work.

I was pretty sceptical about any of it but was converted when the pain significantly lessened and wish it was still available on the NHS. I had six months (one session a month), was referred by my GP and it was free but I think those days are long gone!

Worth giving it a go though as Fruit and Nut Case says, it doesn’t work for everyone and it depends on how much it now costs. Good luck and hope your pain is relieved somehow soon.

[welsh12]

I have had it some mild releif initially i went for a long time. I have reflexology which relaxes me. Osteopathy which releases things make sure they know you have RA.

[weathervane]

I had acupuncture when I had severe muscle spasm in my back, I could hardly move. The acupuncture was the first thing that really helped as i was in pain for months.

[EJaneB]

. I have found it very helpful in relieving some pain and fatigue and as a general ‘tonic’ It does depend on your symptoms and really worth checking out a good acupuncturist to see what their experience is etc

[pammi2]

we all bore d of accupuncture i just started having it and practiioner said you need minimum 5 sessions for it to work but for what i have had done it has provided tempoary releif so give it a go

[pammi2 in reply to pammi2]

very interesting and am going to try youtube.com/watch?v=Z5R_MWz...(Not working as expected?)

[Kati66]

I had it in my lower back as part of the pain clinic ten years ago, when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It made the pain worse though so although I did complete the course, I steered clear of it afterwards. It can work miracles for some though so don’t be put off by those of us that it didn’t work.

[Sheila_G]

It didn't do anything for me but that doesn't mean it won't help you. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose (accept money) but if it works for you, it's worth it.

[maxistar]

I was referred acupuncture for neck issues after a series of physio sessions , the initial acupuncturist wasn’t effective and fortunately went on holiday so I had a replacement who was exceptional and over a series of weeks got to the core of the pain and I’ve had no issues in relation to that since . So would recommend , and it’s finding an acupuncturist whose technique works for you , wish you success

[Leics]

I had four sessions and instead of switching off the pain signals it switched it all on and I ended up in a worse state than I started. It was at the local hospital on the NHS. I personally wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole after my experience. Apparently about 1 in 7 people have this problem but that also means 6 don’t. Give it a try if you can but don’t have too many sessions without being honest with yourself and deciding if it’s for you or not. Good luck hope it helps.

[Nanainthegarden]

I have had RA for 35 years and have been having regular acupuncture for almost 20 years. It is NOT a cure but it does help me. I go to a Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist, who belongs to the British Acupuncture Council and they treat the whole body not just the symptoms a person has. It isn’t particularly cheap, especially at the beginning when you need to go more often, but now I’m on quarterly visits it’s manageable financially.

[Green230461]

Our GP sent my husband for acupuncture on his neck and the pain went! Don’t know if it worked or he thought thought it did but the pain went and the movement returned 😉

[Memaw21]

My GP did acupuncture many years ago. I got a series of treatments for migraines and it worked from day one , I have not had cluster migraines since. Hope it works for you.

[Angjoplin]

Didn't do a thing for me. But gotta try everything haven't you. Might work on others.

[Beviej]

I did acupuncture for my neck for 5 years. I went twice a month. It does help. Worth a try.

[Fayski]

I have RA and have had about 5 months of acupuncture treatments. I find that the acupuncture where they apply electricity the most helpful. (Ankle pain) I only recently received these treatments. A marked improvement occured after session #3 with electricity. Not cheap here in Canada. If you have access to an experienced practitioner, I would highly recommend it. Good luck.

[HP2233]

I didn't have acupuncture but I had dry needling which is similar but targets different areas. I had it done 3 years ago and my neck, shoulder, back and leg are still pain free!

[KASHMIRI1]

I had acupuncture very successfully for sciatica but it does need more than one treatment.

[fred42]

I have a relative who practiced acupuncture when I was diagnosed with RA she told me immediately acupuncture would not help me.

[nanapat61]

I've found acupuncture to be very helpful for my Achilles tendinitis, though I had to pay for private treatment as it's not available on the NHS in my area. I had six sessions then the same again a couple of years later when the pain returned. Such sweet relief both times!

[KittyJ]

I had acupuncture for a few years for pain and gua sha for the spasms in my neck and shoulders, it really helped so it’s worth a try to see if it works for you.

[CoastalLiving]

Hi - I am currently having acupuncture with an NHS endorsed Traditional Chinese Doctor. At first I really struggled with it because it would help but didn't last very long - and was painful in getting to that point. I then spent a few months on Chinese Herbs and only recently tried acupuncture again, this time round I have find it all much easier and the effects are more lasting.

For other issues in the past I have had acupuncture from physio's but think now I would stick with my Chinese Doctor for it. As someone mentioned below they treat the whole body and not just the pain symptoms. I have also found he is more reasonable than I have had to pay through other practitioners before.