Can acupuncture help PMR?

[swimaaaa]

Hello, I have just found and joined this site.

Was on prednisolone for 4 years ending in 2016 and managed ok after that - though walking for pleasure was impaired and muscle strength is weak . PMR flared up again in 2018 but in my knee and prednisolone was prescribed with v good results. Have been off it now for a month by planned tapered reduction.

Aching and soreness has returned and in the meantime have discovered I have lost height. As I am now 70 but still very active, when possible, I am hoping it will go into remission. I want to avoid more pred if possible and am considering acupuncture.

Does anyone have experience of this and know if it can help.

[HeronNS]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have PMR it is unlikely that acupuncture alone will deal with it. It may help some aspects of your pain but it won't cure PMR (neither will pred but it does work well to manage the symptoms).

[Hidden]

I agree with PMRpro. I used both accupuncture and cupping before being diagnosed. I dont believe it "cures" PMR...but in my case it helped to alleviate the pain short term.

[ignatz in reply to Hidden]

How long was the 'short term" roughly.....enough to last from session to next session?

[Hidden in reply to ignatz]

I guess I just about got by having acupuncture every other week and cupping sessions in-between during flares.

I'm not entirely sure if it was a placebo effect, but I definitely felt some short term relief which has always been welcome! And yes...I did feel it helped me last from one session to another.

That said, I have since been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (not PMR as originally thought) and placed on anti-tnf biologic injections in a bid to taper steroids....(unable to drop below 2mg)

I now have weekly physio and hydrotherapy sessions.

It's been two years since I began pred...and a year since I started the biologic therapy.

I hope you are able to find a happy medium and some respite from pain too. It really does begin to take a toll after a while.... 😞

[ignatz in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks- and get well soon!

[Hidden in reply to ignatz]

You too!

[Daffodilia]

I am down to 6 mg Pred from 40 - spoke to acupuncturist recently who thinks he can help if problems when off preds - have pain in shoulder and some stiffness now

[Hidden]

We have just been discussing it & Heron has kindly sent you the link.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Pirnilla]

I go to my physiotherapist on weekly basis to get acupuncture. I tried it before I was diagnosed and it didn’t help much with pain at that time, only Pred did. BUT I can for sure say that acu helps me to ”calm the system” in a way that helps for the over all feeling about me and my illness. So I will continue taking it now and when I am done with Pred.

[swimaaaa]

Thanks for that, Pirnilla.

[barbarac8790]

Hi swimaaaa,

I'm a great believer in Acupuncture. I suffered with PMR for five years. When I first went for Acupuncture I couldn't even get on the bed and the therapist treated me in a chair. I also had moxybustion on occasions and took various supplements as advised. I would thoroughly recommend it but make sure you go to a good therapist.

Good luck I hope you get some relief.

[swimaaaa in reply to barbarac8790]

Thanks, barbarac8790. Encouraging to hear positive remarks re acupuncture for pmr. I may well try it. Any tips on what a 'good therapist' looks like. Is it their experience? attitude to pmr? Any other pointers...……..?

[barbarac8790 in reply to swimaaaa]

My advice is to check out any therapist's in your area... sometimes health food shops recommend a good practitioner. I go to a Natural Healing Centre and see the owner, an Indian man with a wealth of experience and knowledge. I'm sure you will find someone who can help you.

Good luck 😊

[swimaaaa in reply to barbarac8790]

Yes, thanks, barbarac8790. Am doing some research right now!

[Odosmum]

I am a great fan of accupuncture. I have RA as well as PMR and have various aches and pains that rear their ugly heads from time to time. Massage, Osteopathy and Accupunture all have a part to play - I cannot tell you what works for which, but when I am aching all over and cannot bear being touched, my chappie holds off and just sticks in the needles. Result? Bliss!