Accupuncture...has anyone tried it?

[Rena705]

My dentist is currently studying Accupuncture with one of the foremost and well known Chinese Medicine Doctors in North America.  

My dentist is aware that I have been diagnosed with MS and that my neurologists do not believe that it is the cause of my pain and disability.

This Accupuncture doctor holds classes and uses people from the public with chronic problems in order to teach his students.  My dentist feels that accupuncture just may be the thing that I need to alleviate my pain and he feels that this doctor will be able to discern what my problem is.

He has invited me to attend a class of his in about 3 weeks.  I would be in front of the class and have to explain my medical history to the doctor and he would then try to discover what the problem is and see if he can help me out.

I am very interested in this type of medicine and I feel that it just may be worth a try...there will be no cost to me so I don't see what I would have to lose.  My husband has said he will go with me and has expressed interest in chinese medicine as well.

I just thought that I would pass it on and let you know what I am up to now...never a dull moment...yeah right, one day out of three weeks right?  tee hee

Has anyone here been exposed to accupuncture and if so, what sort of results have you had?

Rena

[Rena705]

I sure appreciate all of your comments and I am looking forward to trying this!  I hope that he wasn't just blowing steam about all this cause I want to try it now.  I will call him next week and put a bug in his ear about it and hopefully the "big" dr. will agree to it!

I realize that he probably won't be able to diagnose me but hey, I'm used to that!  No one else seems to be able to either!

I will keep you all up to date as to what is going on with this..I am actually getting excited about it now.  After all the sun is melting all the snow, it's gorgeous here and the ice is getting thin on the lakes...we all know what that means don't we?!

Lots of Hugs,

Rena

[Daysie]

I have been getting acupucnture and Intramuscular Stimulation for my spacticity and nerve conduction.  The IMS releases the spasm in my muscles everytime.  It has definately improved my walk, but the weakness is still there.  The acupuncture is administered into the nerves that is acting up, for instance when my hand and foot tingles and aches, and the ulna nerve starts to burn, he'll put the needles in and it stops within a few hours.
My acupuncturist sees alot of patients with MS and he said that he can't cure it, but can help with non-drug symptom control and even improve mobility, pain and quality of life.  
It is worth a try in my opinion.

Good Luck.

Daysie

[speechgeek]

I think you should go for it. I do Myofasical release/ manual therapy and I would also recommend that. It is typically done by a PT. They need to be trained. Alot of the PT's usually work at "alternative" therapy agencies.

I had a friend who came over and did a 1 hour treatment on me in December. At that time I was not able to sit and eat dinner with my family or walk more than a few steps. I sat up with my family for the first time for and hour after she left.

I get weekly treatments now......they have protocols for specific dx.

good luck

Rebeccah

[Super_sally888]

Hi Rena,

I am a believer in Accupuncture, though it is not necessarily going to cure conditions.  

Accupuncture helps in balancing your body and energy.  It is also supposed to be helpful in many chronic conditions.

I have a very good friend who is a MD and an accupuncturist.  I first met him when he was treating me for severe reflux / hyperacidity.  It made a big difference and I was able to get off the meds for that after a few weeks of sessions.

He treats a lot of sports injuries and it really seems to hasten the recovery.  He also claims it helps with allergies, though I haven't particularly been treated for that.

I am now seeing a different accupuncturist (along with my accupuncturist friend's dad - he doesn't like to treat family or very close friends).  She has been treating me for dysmenhorrea (can't spell that) and after 4 months of treatment every two weeks I have to say it has helped dramatically for that.

She is also aware of the headaches, visual symptoms, fatigue and burning sensations.  I think it has helped with the headaches and the fatigue, but not much on the visual (though it has settled down), and no noticeable change on the burning sensations.  She treated one time specifically for the fine tremor that I have and the tremor actually was much reduced immediately following the treatment.  Interesting!

It is not expensive here and so I will continue to use it, particulalry as western medicine is not offering me much at this time.

I also agree that it can be very much practicioner biased.  And you may see benefit from one practicioner, but not another.  Definitely nothing to lose, and while you shouldn't expect a miracle cure (it takes time to see benefit, particularly for chronic conditions), it may help.

Sally

[essdipity]

About 2 years ago I tried acupuncture, not even thinking my problem might be related to possible MS (since doctors, of course, found nothing wrong with me). It was a most interesting experience, done by a dentist on the faculty of the Univ. of Maryland who has also studied acupuncture for years at a well-regarded place. I went to him because at that time I was having a lot of trouble with my neck and jaw.

I wish I could report that the procedure, maybe 6 visits, helped but it didn't, and since my insurance paid only a little it was costly. However, I did learn a lot about it. This man explained how ancient Chinese practices and modern science are blending. Acupuncture is well-respected these days by traditional medicine, and it does fulfill the first requirement, which is to do no harm.

I think you should try it for sure, especially since you would pay no fees. Good luck.

ess

[mokibear]

I do believe in alternative healing and the Chinese were well ahead of their time in treatment of illness in ancient times. I have tried acupuncture and did not find any change in my problems. I think though that it may depend on the person doing it and if they truly understand the dynamics of it all.

I say go for it. Like you said, it is not costing you anything and if it helps, yeehaw!! It sure can't hurt to try it. I know people who have had it done for pain issues and have had great results. Let us know how it works out for you.

Hugs
Moki