Acupuncture / Dry needling experiences/queries.

[Rachel1985]

Hi,

I had my first session of acupuncture on Friday as part of a 6 week course with the NHS pain clinic locally.

I wasn't expecting to notice any difference as i'd had 3 sessions with a private physio who had trained in a tigger point style of acupuncture which had no effect. But..

I felt quite noticable different straight after the treatment, i felt like I could stand up taller without all the tightness and pain in my upper back & shoulders. I felt a few of the needles go in, but only really a small amount of discomfort, nothing to worry about. With the 2 needles in my hand i felt a sort of tingley warmth spreading across my hand, and whlst they were left in that feeling started to spread up my forearm. Se also put several in my upper back, and felt for areas of tension first, and then lightly touched the skin with the needle first in several areas & told me to tell her when I got the most sensitive sharp reaction. I figured it would all feel the same as you're being poked with a needle, but i gradually figured out what she meant - some areas were def more sensitive even though close together. Anyway I felt a bit light headed when they were in place but lay down & was left with them in for a bit. Afterwards I felt a lot less tight, although I had a dentist appointment within a hour of treatment & lying in the chair made me feel tight & sore again.

She also did some EFT stuff with me briefly before the acupuncture & some reiki whilst the needles were in. Unusually for me I had aa lot more energy, particularly in the evening when 'm normally a bit drained & i stayed up quite late & wasn't tired the next day. Fingers crossed for the next appointment!

Rach

[sarahh]

Hi Rach glad to hear that your first acupuncture appointment went so well and fingers crossed for the next one.

Sarah x

[BendyLady]

Glad to hear that The acupuncture seems to be helping. I have used it in the past with success. I think if very much depends on the type of pain. But I will say that it really helped with my sleeping.

Hope it continue to help.

BendyLady

[greige]

After my first acupuncture session years ago I couldnt sleep at all, too much energy flowing. Then I stopped for about 2 years before getting another session. In that time, they also use heated needles, and after (not during) treatment I always felt sleepy and in pain for hours, but so much better in the next days.

Now, when I am not stress out or too cold, I have much less pain then 2 years ago. I found acupuncture is much better then what they did at pain clinics over here which only put me on meds or manipulating nerves (which I cant remember the name... but they didnt even managed finding the nerve that needs manipulation!!!!). I hope you all also get benefit from it.

hugs

[nat05]

how did you get refered to acu?

x

[Rachel1985]

Personally I got referred by the pain consultant at the local pain management clinic, who recommended it alongside the physio & clinical psychologist. I'd imagine you could ask your GP to refer you or any practitioner who's working with you

Rachel

[Jooolz]

Has anyone tried acupuncture for post op pain relief?

I had severe pain after my most recent shoulder op ( capsular shift) which was very successful..
I am allergic to antiinflammatory meds and so they have to be careful what they give me for pain relief but last time they didnt give me the meds on time ( they were very busy ) and the pain got out of control....unfortunately this was quite a bad personal and emotional experience for me....

I am now facing the next op in a month- on my ankle to sew the tendons in place after an accident in August..... I have faith in the surgeon and would lke to take more control over my post op pain....


Acupuncture has worked quite well for me....for other stuff and wonder if this is too radical for the traditional Uk staff? aso whether it would work post op....

Generally I manage pain reasonably well Ive had lots of practice BUT even day to day the when it hits a certain level of pain it goes beyond the coping threshold and then its not great - Obviously post op its likely to be way over that threshold straight away!

Does anyone have any post op pain manangmnt tips ideas or comments?

[whyamihere]

I went once a few months ago. It started off ok, good consultation, needles going in was fine, felt a bit of a tingling going through me, so the guy left me to lie there for 15 minutes.

About 2 minutes after he left, the pain started. It was my normal joint pain, but different in a way I can't really describe, as well as being quite a strong attack. Because I'd been told not to move, I couldn't really do anything, I wouldn't have been able to put any supports on anyway as there were needles in the way. Because the guy had left, I couldn't ask anything, I couldn't do anything to help myself. After 15 minutes I was close to tears from the pain. Needless to say, I never went back.

[sprinks]

After my ops my physio did some acupuncture - after he calmed me down and got me to lay my legs flat on the bed instead of holding them away so he couldn't do it . I actually forgot it till now though. But I remember one time how bad it hurt, all the muscles down the side just spasmed and hurt and I wanted to scream. He used it in an attmept to release the muscles etc on that side of my legs, because thats what the ops were for and they didnt work as much as planned, and I'd say it helped a bit. And then more recently I actually went to a proper acupuncturist. He is fantastic!! When he asked if I'd had it before I said "well, I had some at physio" and he said that he'll write me down as not having it, as physios aren't really meant to do it and it's not quite the same thing.
The only thing I find with it is that I'm laying still for so long and I cramp up and get all stiff, and I remember one time I went to crack my toes, as I could feel the pressure building up from them not being moved, but since I had one of the needles in my feet near my toes it moved and HURT pretty bad for a short while, but it was okay after that. I learnt my lesson from it!!

[barkingmad]

Hi everyone,
last evening despite having serious doubts, I went to the pain clinic to start a course of acupuncture for chronic pain etc. The whole thing went fine...once i realised she wasnt planning to put needles in to my elbow which I reinjured on Sunday! ..Amazingly this morning when i woke up I could lift my bad elbow and bring my hand to my mouth without the use of my brace and with significantly less acute pain!! I cant be sure if it was the acupuncture...as had taken extra tramadol anyway...but i definitely will continue the course to find out!!
i think I could get hooked into acupuncture!!!
donna

[EmilyG]

Hey Donna, glad you had a good acupuncture experience! I looooovvveee it! Everytime I have some spare money (rarely now, being a broke student haha), I go for a few sessions. Kinda addictive!

x

[sarahh]

Hi Donna glad your acupuncture experience was a good one and that they helped.

Sarah x

[barkingmad]

Hi Emily and Sarah, I definitely love it and can see why it could be so addictive. just worried about what happens when I finish this course...had to wait sooo long for this one, think if I need it again might have to go private or do-it-myself !
donna x

[sarahh]

Hi Donna Aww your brave I got offered Acupuncture once I said definatly not I had needles and only have blood tests when I have to other then that I will not let anyyone near me with a needle. Lol definatly not a good idea doing it yourself maybe find out how much it is for private might be worth a go and you would get seen sooner.

[EmilyG]

I go privately most of the time, costs £52 for three sessions, each about half hour, more if I feel like it. So worth it if you have the spare money or are feeling particularly bad one day! I can usually get an appointment within a couple of hours, but that may be because the guy that does it is really interested in HMS, so he likes 'experimenting'! Always good. xx