Acupuncture information?

Question

I've had low back pain since christmas, It's not a trapped nerve or anything it's because I am Hypermobile (which means being to flexible) Does accupuncture work, does it hurt, and could i get away with 1 session per month as i've just priced them and they are £45 and I only get paid once a month.

Answer 1

Hello The Original Bookwork, (like your name!)

Acupuncture is very effective at times.  I would listen to the doctor above for the best advice for your question.  However, if you find types alternative healing such as acupuncture fascinating, then you might like other alternative medicine solutions as well.  I would highly recommend http://www.doingverywell.com if you indeed to have an interest in alternative medicine.

Answer 2

At the risk of once more being accused of being rude, opinionated and only concerned with the science again. The most recent large scale study of acupuncture found it to be no more effective than random placebo needle insertion.

Back pain is a bit of a disaster in some ways, in metanalysis studies, that is those that combine the results of many studies to get a bigger picture, nothing came out all that well at dealing with back pain. It didn't seem to matter if you saw a GP, an orthopaedic surgeon, a physio, an acupuncturist, an osteopath, a chiropractor or a faith healer, pretty much the same percentage of patients got better. This suggests you might as well hang on to your money!

Answer 3

Hello I struggled for five years with a very similar problem I tryed physical therapy, they put all kinds of shots in my body,went to five different chiropractor s and then an acupunturist, I could not turn my head for five years then the acupuncturist freed the whatever.. that was blocked in there.. it took one time for that particular thing.. and she gave me some upper body circulation herbs and the pain ceased,,,it doesn not hurt to have acupuncture, some find it temporary some get instant relief, I have had nothing but amazing results

on this page is an acupuncture finder put in your zip and find one near you....its worth the try because oince i did it it changed my life, anyone I know that has with a open mind has had excellent results,,,I have had 7 drs tell me they couldnt do anything and then came the relief..so give it a shot

http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/a...

Answer 4

Dr. Frank, if you are referring to the study I think you are, then I have to question your analysis (and that of the person who wrote it).  True, in that study "real" acupuncture worked no better than "random" acupuncture.  However, BOTH worked twice as well as conventional therapies alone.  The person writing the closing opinion (and you) ignored that little detail.

Also, since when is the efficacy of ANY therapy determined solely by one study?  If you must be a man of objective science, please remain objective.  You might look at the links I've included, particularly the last one.

To answer the question asked--it's worth a try, but you will need more than one session a month, especially at the beginning, to reasonably expect any improvement.

Answer 5

It is a placebo effect.

here is a link to an article that gives the low down;

http://www.csicop.org/si/2003-03/acupunc...

Answer 6

I recommend it, I have been going for the past 6 months and have seen so many benefits from it. When you have your first consultation explain to the acupuncture that you can only see them once a month, that should be ok. The problem is they will probably want to see you at least twice a month for at least the first couple of months, thats just while they are working on the problem.  There is generally Chinese herbal medicines they do recommend you taking- which are really affective also and also an extra cost. I only intended on going once to see what it was like and now I am addicted, I am so amazed with the results.

As of does it hurt, not it dosnt the needle is 4 times smaller than the ones you are probably thinking about.

I will go there and the acupuncture will put a needle in my digestive areas of my body, as soon as she does that my digestive system starts rumbling- its amazing. Though its not for everyone, so I recommend you try it once and assess if you like it or not.

Answer 7

Acupuncture DOES work in some instances provided it's done by a qualified PROPER acupuncturist and of course done correctly. It;s been used for hundreds of years. Ignore Dr Frank above, he as a bee in his bonnet regarding alternative therapy. He keeps talking about alternative therapy being no better than a placebo, well many conventional medicines have proved to be no better than a placebo. How on earth an educated man can label alternative therapy that on a large scale has helped millions of people, "mumbo jumbo" frankly shocks me. We cannot ignore the results and benefits people have found from using alternative medicine.

Rhianna x

Answer 8

Acupuncture is by no means a placebo effect. It's been practiced all over the world for more than 10000 years. And I believe there were some studies which proved the existence of the meridians and acupuncture points. I don't believe it would still be around if it was only a placebo. I was treated myself with acupuncture and herbs extract for diseases more serious than a  back pain. The doctor I went explained that he's treatment was so efficient because he used herbs and acupuncture.

Answer 9

hello!

i have had acupuncture by several different people...and my experience is that it is important to find a good acupuncurist! I LOVE mine! She has helped me avoid antibiotics at LEAST three different times for various reasons, she's alleviated headaches, backpains, insomnia, etc. I have also had some not-so-good acupuncturists, and have had no effect from them. Find someone you agree with their view on health, that you feel comfortable with them. There are different sized needles (I HATE needles--I get the smallest ones), and that can help with perceived pain. Also, some needles I don't even feel as they go in. Other needles feel almost like a bee sting. It really depends on what's going on in the area. I recommend checking in your phone book or online for an acupuncture association of some sort that can lead you in the direction of qualified people. Good luck!

Answer 10

I am not sure who told you that your pain is not due to a trapped nerve, if having a trapped or toxic nerve is the ONLY way a pain can be produced! Acupuncture might help temporarily. But if you want the real problem corrected you need to see a chiropractor.