acupuncture and tens machines ??

joanlawson
joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
edited 13. Feb 2009, 16:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
Has anyone tried either acupuncture or tens machines as forms of pain relief? I am about to have acupuncture for the first time on Friday so wonder if anyone has had any success with it?
Joan :roll:
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Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan,
    Had acupuncture a long time ago, IT WAS BRILLIENT!!!!!!!! I had it into the sight, ie my lower back done by a cas. consultant who had learned it in the far east. They used to do it fairly regually as a favour really as back then the NHS didn't let you have it. After 2 or so years I really messed up m spine and took out the reflexes and she wouldn't do it any more. It may depend on what you got as to how well it works, that was just for 2 slipped discs and allowed me to be back at work inside 3 months. She wouldn't do it for my bigger injury.
    Tens machnes used to be very good as well but now I find they hurt as I have a bit too much inflamation in there and the banging if high enough to do the job irritates it quite a bit. They do still work on one side of my neck just none of the rest. There aint many things I haven't tried but you know a healer has been the best pain relife I'v had in years...... and I'm a sceptic!
    See how it goes for you. Take care, Cris
  • joanlawson
    joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Cris
    You have given me more confidence to try things. The worst pain I have had is in my hip, which I have been told is Bursitis which has been caused by walking awkwardly because of arthritic knees. One thing leads to another!!My physio is going to do the acupuncture tomorrow so I'm hoping it will help.
    All the best
    Joan :)
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  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan,
    It was really brilliant stuff, I'd have it again tomorrow but for my reflexes they'd probably agree. It was a long time ago, I don't remember how often she did it, it may have been like my knees. I'd hobble into cas. and before I left a couple of consultants would grab me and inject them as well! I do remember the acu made me light headed, I don't remember it hurting and even if it does the one thing it did so well was totally relax the bit that was being done. It would then go kinda numb. She do several bits and if it began to hurt I them pushed against a seat and it would shut up again.
    I haven't thorght to ask about them doing other bits of me........... Your giving me ideas now! Good luck, take care and go for it. Cris
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan
    I tried the tens machine but it done me no good, it lives in the bottom of one of the draws now. However i have heared of people who it does work for, i think it all depends on the extent of your illness. I did try Chinese Herbal med for quite a time but alas it done me no good.
    Colin
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan

    I use my tens machine daily and find it a great help, it was only a cheap one from Lloyds Pharmacy but I did get the dual one which has 4 pads so I put 2 on my knee and 2 on my ankles and I find it brill. Must say I haven't tried acupuncture not very good with needles but I will certainly have a think about it.

    debs
  • michelle22
    michelle22 Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have used both but had to stop using acupuncture as I was allergic to the needles so the physio used the tens like a pressure point on my 4 gate ways and the results are good I use the tens most of the time now I have one on loan till I can afford one of my own. I will say it doesn't always work on high levels of pain but on middle levels it does work. I would say give it a try and if it doesn't work all you have done is waste a little time my motto is nothing ventured nothing gained. Give it a good try but to get the results started it has to be quiet intensive with the acupuncture I had it twice in a week for 2 weeks then 1 a week for about three just to get it under control and you have the needles in about 1/2 hour at a time

    If you have an questions please ask

    Michelle
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michell,
    Did you get that through the pain clinic, the consultant or the doctor please? I would like to see if they would do some of me again.
    Joan there used to be a big brother of a tens in my old physio dept. It was very good as well. Since I had all this practices have changed so much but I'm with Michell, she's right nothing ventured etc......... I have gone back under the pain clinic again and its 20 years since I last was so a bit in the dark as to what to beg for.
    Debs try it! It really did keep me at work for 2 years longer.
  • michelle22
    michelle22 Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Michell,
    Did you get that through the pain clinic, the consultant or the doctor please? I would like to see if they would do some of me again.
    Joan there used to be a big brother of a tens in my old physio dept. It was very good as well. Since I had all this practices have changed so much but I'm with Michell, she's right nothing ventured etc......... I have gone back under the pain clinic again and its 20 years since I last was so a bit in the dark as to what to beg for.
    Debs try it! It really did keep me at work for 2 years longer.

    Hi skezier I got it all through my Physio well the Rhuumy Physio she was really good but I don't know if all the rhumy physio's do it. You could try them first as you are in the system if you see the Rhumy .

    Michelle
  • joanlawson
    joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You asked how to get the treatment. I'm getting it through the physio who is treating me at my doctor's surgery. However it was only when I asked about acupuncture and tens that it was offered to me. I can't understand why no-one had mentioned it as a possibility before, considering that I have been in pain for over a year! It is available on the NHS, but no guarantees it will work. I am open-minded and it is worth a try. We'll see tomorrow
    Joan
    :)
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  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan,
    I've tried both and they work for me. I too am allergic to needles-can only use gold ones and physio at my work (NHS) are too stingy to buy them :x
    Magenta x
  • joanlawson
    joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just had first go at acupuncture and feel fine. It didn't hurt and I felt relaxed. Too early to say whether it has done any good,and I think one session wouldn't be enough anyway.So far so good :!: :D
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  • michelle22
    michelle22 Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    magenta wrote:
    Hi Joan,
    I've tried both and they work for me. I too am allergic to needles-can only use gold ones and physio at my work (NHS) are too stingy to buy them :x
    Magenta x

    Magenta I am the same but I was also allergic to the gold ones that is the reason I had to stop having acupuncture lol.
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Michelle,
    That's a shame. I'm allergic to 9ct gold, 18ct is ok-that's what my wedding rings are made form. I don't suppose the needles will be 18ct :? :lol:
    Magenta
  • michelle22
    michelle22 Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    magenta wrote:
    Hi Michelle,
    That's a shame. I'm allergic to 9ct gold, 18ct is ok-that's what my wedding rings are made form. I don't suppose the needles will be 18ct :? :lol:
    Magenta

    No such luck hun lol
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