Acupuncture?

Flin

:P I have had to swap doctors surgery to access acupuncture on the NHS!
I'm putting a lot of hope into accessing this therapy and want it to relieve pain in my hips and feet, mostly.
Has anyone else had success with this treatment?

Avrielle

I had accupunture done twice on my foot. The first time was an absolute horrid experience by a GP who clearly didn't know what he was doing and hurt like hell. The second time was done my a physiotherapist who I had put a lot of trust in to allow him to do it. That time was fine though and utterly painless. However it wasn't successful.

My partners uncle had accupuncture done on him after agreeing to be a 'model' for showing student nurses how to do accupuncture. He says he just lay on his front reading a magazine for ages on a bed, while the trained doctor talked and talked away to the students around him. He finished reading his magazine and turned his head to ask "Are you actually going to get started then?" to which the students all laughed and the doctor replied "You have 120 needles in your back.."

So don't fear accupuncture, not that I think your are nervous. As long as you have someone doing it who knows what they are doing then it is a painless treatment. Some people respond to it and others don't. But there is never any harm in trying to see if it works for you. xx

dreamdaisy

I tried it, spent a lot of money and got nowhere but it can work and work well inasmuch it alleviates the worst of the symptoms for a short while. As Avrielle wisely said we are all different in what works and you won't know until you try. Hopefully the person who will be treating you will have some experience and you will gain some benefit. I wish you well. DD

diamond

I have also tried accu both private and nhs physio.Private care was good never felt a thing but was only pain free for a few days.On nhs physio was lovely but only had about six needles in each knee and was very uncomfortable did nothing for pain or inflammation.It works for some people so give it a try you may be one of the lucky ones.

suzygirl

My mom had acupuncture for her neck and it really helped her, the pain etc cleared up for a number of months. I gave it a go, found it painless and did increase my range of movement with my neck, but the pain etc is still present.

I would give it a go, if it helps its a bonus!!

Greenlily

I had 6 sessions by a NHS physio 2 years ago for acute back pain [slipped lumbar vertebra]. It certainly wasn't painless but seemed to take the edge off for a while. Haven't invested in private treatment - perhaps that might be better. Difficult to find good practitioners who don't charge rather a lot.One sesion OK but 6 or 10 at £35+ a shot... :!:

Harlansmummy

I had acupuncture on my hand and arm about 10 years ago through an NHS physio, who was lovely. It didn't hurt (and at the time I was terrified of needles, but they're such small, fine ones) and did help some, although I had to have it every week. Unfortunately the NHS would only pay for a 6 week course.

hileena111

Hi
I had 2 x 6 week sessions on the NHS
It was pretty painless and did help but only for a short time each week. I was ready for the next lot when the week was over.
We tried it for another 6 weeks and although I would have been happy to continue. ....travelling out there....get some relief each week....they decided that it wasnt helping enough to continue with it {The NHS decided because of cost}
Give it a try.
I dont think I would try a private one.....goodness knows where i would find one, and what he would be like. Now that I know it only helps for part of the week I dont think it would be worth the money. If the NHS suggested another course I would jump at it
Love
Hileena

PowerOn

I had this a few years ago just one session.
The needles did not hurt at all until one was put into my left hand in the "v" where the thumb and hand meet then my arm went dead and hurt like **** it was a very strange feeling which lasted for days, returning on and off for months.
I asked the physio what she had done and she took it out immediately saying, " that is the point for the intestines" i told her my medical history of ops on my intestines (most removed) and she was surprised, I think she should have known my history before blundering in.
Morale of the story, make sure whoever is doing it knows your history.

Flin

Wow! What a great response! I'm delighted to have all your feedback thanks for taking the time. I will keep you posted as to my progress with my new doctor. If it means less drugs it must be worth a try.

alisunny

very interesting.....I was told by my doctor that I couldn't have acupunture on the NHS, even after my rheumtologist suggested it.... So i didnt realise you could get it
When I move is it worth asking the new doctors for it again?

hileena111

Hi
Yes I think its worth asking your new doctor.
I was referred to physio and it was the physio that referred me to another physio who was trained in acupunture.....thats the roundabout way I got there

Love
Hileena

refereerick

I've had acupuncture for my back before. Been seeing a chiropractor for years due to a bad back and a few times i've had acupuncture in my hip to right a muscle that was cramped up and I can honestly say it was painless and felt just like they'd put a tube into the muscle and let all the air out, instant relief. I'd recommend it, worked for me!