Acupuncture - how many people here have done this?

just looking for opinions and discussion... have you done this only once? long term? helped with your problems? didnt help?

Hello, I have had acupuncture several times for a variety of different problems eg: fractures, knee pain, back pain etc and have found it did not have much of an effect. But when you have pain I still feel it is worth trying. So many people receive great benefit from having had acupuncture. I also feel it depends on having qualified professional persons to administer it. Not people who just dabble in it.

Although acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions in China, one of the main strengths in acupuncture (in the eyes of Western medical MD's) is that of pain. There are studies and research that show the efficacy of acupuncture in treating and alleviating pain, so it would definitely be worth looking into (if this is the case with you). Whether if you want to speak to an M.D, or an acupunturist, or both about your condition, is of course, up to you (if you're interested in using acupuncture).

Having grown up in a family of acupuncturists, I would recommend that you first get in contact with an acupuncturist who is properly licensed in your state. Keep in mind that a license is just a license, and does not speak much about their expertise and treatment effectiveness. Go to a more established, long-time acupuncturist, who has a solid reputation, and talk to him/her about your condition. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with your acupuncturist, you can find another one. If you can also get referrals from trusted friends/relatives/family members, that would also be a +.

Performed correctly, you will hardly feel the needle being inserted into you, aside from a slight tiny (miniscule) point. You may also feel a slight tingling sensation or a calm, relaxing sensation (which is a positive indicator of the treatment) during the treatment session.

My experience:

For lack of a better word, I believed that acupuncture was just pure superstitious, hocus pocus, quack medicine. I would have felt low and felt that it was beneath my dignity to have needles poking out of my body. But a severe - and let me reiterate - a severe ankle sprain changed all that.

I forced myself to visit an acupuncturist because the pain this time (I had previous sprains) was extremely unendurable (sleepless nights, uneven gait). After the acupuncture treatment, I went home, and slept for 4 hours.

I got up to use the restroom, being careful that I didn't place all the weight on the left foot. As soon as I walked, I felt that the pain in my left foot was completely gone! Granted, there was a little pain, but the difference was so dramatic that I stood there completely SHOCKED. As the days passed by, the pain subsided, and healed much faster as opposed to when I stubbornly waited out on the pain.

This of course is my experience with acupuncture, and so far, it has been a positive one.

Hope this helps

Best