Accupuncture

[anewday]

Have you had any success in treating specific inflammatory/arthritic pain with accupuncture?

[nspiker]

I tried accupuncture, prior to my diagnosis of ReA/lyme, and it was helpful for a short period of time.  It only lasted 1 1/2 to 3 days at most.  In the end, I didn't find the result beneficial for the cost.

nancy

[linda]

It literally saved me 7 yrs ago. I was taking the max dose of vicodin and getting no relief, I was bedridden. Within 4 mths I was completely off the vicodin, and 2 mths later I was taking 5 classes and working part time. I was even able to reduce my pred dose to 5 mg every other day. For really bad days and the burning pain in btn my shoulders, I used lidoderm patches and lyrica. I do take tramadol for pain still, but it is a much better solution than vicodin.

My pain specialist moved out of state and I have only recently found another to take his place. I look for someone with a medical background like a D.O./ M.D. or nurse, who has also completed the 4 yrs of training necessary to become licensed. Most good rheumies will probably have someone to whom they refer their patients. The most widely held theory of why it works is that it releases endorphins, just like narcotics, but you get no side effects. Anything that stimulates your body in any way releases endorphins, from laughing to spicy food, so it makes sense. I believe this is why it works, but the role of endorphins in the inflammatory process is still in the research stage, there are some studies that claim it helps with inflammation. I can't testify to that, I'm not yet convinced that it 'cures' asthma, infections, FMS, RA, etc. It is interesting that many people use it to help them quit smoking, and one of the reasons it's so difficult to quit smoking is that you have a bunch of endorphin receptors that are no longer getting as many endorphin hits, smoking releases endorphins. This lends credibilty to the theory that acupuncture releases endorphins.

If you try it, go into it with and open mind. There are different techniques and some may work better than others, also keep in mind that this is a therapy that takes time to work; it is cumulative in it's effects. The first time you go you may not notice much of a difference or it may only last a day. At first you will need to go 1-2 times a week, for about 2 weeks, then you can stretch out your appts to once a week, then twice a mth, and eventually once a month. It's important that you understand that at first it is going to be expensive, but that the cost will level off, and the benefits of a drug free solution go without saying. Some insurance companies are now agreeing to help with the cost, but on average an appt will cost $50-75.

 The big question most people have is will it hurt? My response is no, or at least no more than a slight pinch. The needles are so thin that they bend easily and most of the time you can't even feel them go in. However, there is a technique that is gaining approval, called dry needling, where the needles are twisted as they are inserted. It's not the twisting that hurts; the muscles will 'grab' the needle after a few twists and contract, this can be momentarily uncomfortable. Supposedly this causes the muscle to reset in a relaxed state and relieves muscle pain, especially in those with FMS. My pain specialist 7 yrs ago did not use this technique and I did just fine without it; I have PsA and FMS. The person I'm seeing now does use it, as well as cupping (this is just glass cups that are warmed up and placed on the back before the needles are inserted – it draws the skin up into the cup like a suction cup and increases circulation into the area – but I have not noticed that it works any better than before. Like most pain therapies, it is a very individual thing, and it may take a few adjustments in needle placement before an acupuncturist finds the right combination for you.

 One last thing, make sure you sit up slowly after a treatment as it does make you feel dizzy. I don't normally feel dizzy after laying down for 30 min but I always do after acupuncture, as do many people, so something is going on. And you'll probably be told to buy some chinese herbs, I'm not big on supplements but some swear by them, it's really up to you. My doctor 7 yrs ago never used them, the nurse I'm seeing now does, but I told her I could not afford them so she sells them to me for $4; at that price I'll buy them and use them – what the heck? they probably can't hurt, altho this is one of the reasons you should see someone with a medical background, so that they can make sure the herbs aren't contraindicated with any meds you're currently taking.

Ok, I'm done, and it's probably all you never wanted to know about acupuncture. But I am a BIG fan, and having been thru the tolerance and physical dependence on narcotic pain meds, I try to get anyone interested in alternative therapies all the information I have. good luck!

[mschmidt]

I had it done for about 8 months when I was in A LOT of pain, during the time when I didn't have a diagnosis yet, and had swelling and severe pain in my neck, chest, arms, ankles/feet, and hands.  I do have to say that I got some relief from it, and it kept me off pain meds for the most part.  I had it done by a DO who was extensively trained with acupuncture.  I also did that as well as cupping for about 6 months last year to help with pain and detoxification.  It worked remarkably well for me, and the cupping thing was very interesting, left unsightly marks on my back but, I honestly felt like it was cleaning me out.  At first, when I was in a lot of pain, the relief from the acupuncture was only a few days, and I had to go twice a week.  BUT, when I started to feel better, the effects lasted for about 2 weeks. 

Maria

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