Acupuncture?

I'm inclined to call all alternative medicine Mumbo Jumbo but used to know a German vet who used acupuncture. As she said, there's no placebo effect with dogs. Sometimes it helped, sometimes not, the same as conventional medicine.

I've had acupuncture for back trouble and am nearly through a course of 10 sessions, this time for sciatica. It hasn't made one iota of difference. And this time I have had a 25 minute drive there and back, so even more of a waste of time.

To be fair placebos are known to help pain and stress and have been for years, as well as doctors with a good bedside manner. Certainly with pain and stress issues which do interact. I certainly had that with RSI type twinging in my arms. It got much better but as I am feeling very stressed at present it has come back a bit.

Years ago I had coccyx pain after a fall on by backside which became really bad when standing up from sitting getting out of bed etc. I was then having AP for tension headaches and my therapist used moxa herbs which she burnt over the area and it felt better in a couple of hours. I just had a couple more sessions after that and it went. That was really impressive.
"Mind over matter" can be very helpful. (but that does not mean that if it does not work for you it is because you're not trying hard enough.)

It may be worth a call to the acupuncturist. I had real success with one practitioner, a retired GP. when he retired, a young man who had trained with him took over. I never felt well after treatment with him and the RA didn't benefit either. One of our GP's uses acupuncture, he says it has a powerful impact and a couple of days rest should follow treatment. Hope you're soon feeling better

I must say I'm very disappointed. My arm is even sorer than it was before the acupuncture. Its really bad this morning.
My next appointment isn't for another 10 days and I'm not sure whether its worth going.

Jane10 Agree with Iam, sometimes complementary treatments cause a temporary flare up, which soon settles down. I tend to think that it happens with joint/muscle problems because they're rearranging themselves - I think it applies to osteopathic treatment as well as acupuncture because you are beginning to move your arm differently now that the needles have freed up your elbow IYSWIM.

It can cause a bit of a flare but in my experience, that settles down quickly.

Well I went yesterday. Therapist was a very nice lady with long experience of acupuncture. She gave my sore arm a very hard massage then inserted needles at various points. Although I hadn't asked about it, she spotted my sore knee and did some work on it too.
Result - knee pain gone completely but temporarily. However, my elbow is much sorer. Can anyone tell me if this is a stage in healing? Is it supposed to get worse before I could expect an improvement?

Found it very helpful for my sciatica.

It's good to discuss complimentary therapies. As a practitioner of hypnosis and Neuro Linguistic Programming for 17 years, I do know that what suits one person may not suit another. I really enjoy Chinese Acupuncture, and have also experienced Reflexology, Shiatsu, Cranial Sacral therapy, mostly to experience what other practitioners teach, and have found great benefit from them all. I see many clients whose GPs have run out of ideas on what to prescribe, and my clients have found real benefit from hypnosis, particularly for things like IBS and chronic fatigue.

I always say to people, try it and if it's not for you, then look elsewhere, but never give up.

Thanks all. Buoyed up by your enthusiasm, I've just booked for tomorrow. I was a bit taken aback at the speed but it was a last minute cancellation and doesn't give me too long to think about it! Will keep you informed.

Our GP is qualified to give acupuncture but it is so popular that only patients registered with him will be treated. Some years ago DF had severe back problems which were made worse by a chiropractor. After a couple of acupuncture treatments by the GP he was pain free. Well worth a try Jane10

Cured two frozen shoulders without shadow of a doubt

IMO whether acupuncture works or not depends on the individual's physiology. Some years ago my mother and I both consulted the same NHS acupuncturist for neck pain. The treatment helped her, but not me. I found it very painful, with only marginal relief, and each treatment left me in a really bad mood (Like PMS only much worse) so I only went about 4 times.

IMO whether acupuncture works or not depends on the individual's physiology. Some years ago my mother and I both consulted the same NHS acupuncturist for neck pain. The treatment helped her, but not me. I found it very painful, with only marginal relief, and each treatment left me in a really bad mood (Like PMS only much worse) so I only went about 4 times.

IMO whether acupuncture works or not depends on the individual's physiology. Some years ago my mother and I both consulted the same NHS acupuncturist for neck pain. The treatment helped her, but not me. I found it very painful, with only marginal relief, and each treatment left me in a really bad mood (Like PMS only much worse) so I only went about 4 times.

I had acupuncture for nerve damage following a fall and a fractured pelvis. This left me with LOTS of pain. It was amazing and I slept for the first time in weeks. Go for it ???????

Go for it if you can afford it. Luckily It works for me.

I had it for RSI at a Chinese medicine place. I could hardly hold a cup of tea without pain , and after a couple of sessions it was much improved. It's now pain free.

the practicioner is very important.
i started acupuncture 40 years ago for back and neck injuries/it was heaven.
dr was a founder of the chinese school of medicine in usa.
he used traditional acupuncture,chiropractic and reflexology along with herbal treatments.
was doing great for 15 years(saw him about once a weeek to get "adjusted")
had to move to a so called progressive place HA.
first attempt was a korean practicioner.
he ended up causing me permanant pain for 6 years,
second attempt was a modern version.
they use electrodes and "zap" you.
didnt do a thing for me.
i am not saying #2 and 3 were not good just not what i needed.
so now i am ancient and in constant pain.
regularly contact #1 looking for one of the graduates who use his form of medicine in this area.none here closest is 300 miles away.
it can be amazing.especially for tendonitis and back problems.
also for problems caused by internal disease ....
improve s immune system.

I had a course of acupuncture for a stiff and sore neck. One day I also had a bad headache but didn't think to mention it to the acupuncturist. Nevertheless, as I got back into my car, I suddenly realised that the headache had gone. Yes, it does work a lot of the time.

I've had acupuncture twice. One course in my feet ( very painful) and once or twice in my hand.
It didn't work either time.

They don't claim it does work across the board.

Jane only in specific circumstances not across the board

Randomised controlled trials have found it to be effective. (I've been doing my homework!) It certainly doesn't seem to be just a placebo.