Acupuncture

[Lucinda]

I noticed that there is no thread on acupuncture on here, so had to start one. 

I have been going for acupuncture sessions for a long time, and for me they have been a lifeline. Before I started going for acupuncture my health had been getting worse and worse. I had tried countless other therapies but gained no benefit from any of them. However from my very first acupuncture session my pattern of getting worse and worse changed, and ever since I have been gradually getting better and better.

I'm not sure if acupuncture on its own is a cure for CFS. In any case it hasn't been for me. But it is definitely worth giving a try if anyone on here has considered it. Acupuncture is a very popular treatment these days for helping with pain, but in my experience, it can also help with non-pain related issues such as emotional problems (depression, mood swings, anxiety, etc), stomach problems, insomnia, and even fatigue itself.

Honestly, I don't know where I'd be now if I'd never gone to acupuncture sessions as I was getting worse at an alarming rate (my physical, mental and emotional health were all severely screwed up) and don't know how bad I would have become. Going to see my acupuncturist was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

However, as ever I know that what helps one person, doesn’t help another. Not everyone will necessarily find acupuncture helps them. Plus, I know money is an issue (I’ve heard it is possible to get acupuncture on the NHS, but I don’t think it’s easy and you only get a few sessions). But I just thought I’d share this in case anyone has considered trying acupuncture, and wanted to hear off someone who has given it a go.

[mothernurture]

Hi Lucinda. i had Accupuncture the first time i was sick - 15 years ago. and went every week for about a year. i'm certain that it helped me enormously and definately helped me recover. like you say though it can just be one part of the puzzle. Also i think it can be important who you see - my therapist moved away and i saw another one who also did kineseology- but i just didnt get along with him aas well.

i have considered accupuncture again this time - but quite honestly i have been scared to try things as i so often have a bad reaction - i cant fior exampe tolerate massages at all as it wipes me out for weeks afterwards. i dont know if this is because i am more sick this time around. still, im glad you bought this up - i have been recommended to a good guy here and do want to give it a go - so maybe this is the extra push i need.

[Lucinda]

Glad to hear that you benefited from acupuncture too MN. Shame your acupuncturist moved away though. I do agree that it is important to find a therapist you get on well with. I struck gold with mine as I get on with him really well. He's very sensitive and caring, and has been a great emotional support to me (which has been something I have needed).

I understand your fear of reacting badly to it though. The only thing I can say is that when I first saw my acupuncturist I was really bad and was getting intense symptoms 24/7, but I did not react badly to the treatment. I found it gentle, and had a slow but steady improvement. I have never had a dramatic reaction the whole time I have been going. You do need to find an acupuncturist you can trust though, as no doubt there are pants acupuncturists out there who could give you an overly strong treatment and make you worse as a result. The fact that you have a recommendation is good though (I also went to mine on the basis of a recommendation). Makes him much more of a safe bet.

[agapanthus]

The first time I ever went to an acupuncturist I walked into one of those Chinese shops that had just opened up in Basingstoke about 10 years ago. I was going through the menopause and feeling very tired.

I was taken into this small room where I lay down on my tummy and this man stuck very painful needles into the back of my legs - some of them were excruciating. I was fully clothed and just rolled up my trousers. His English wasn't very good so I did not know what he would do next 

So .. he then did a massage on me (fully clothed) thumping me up and down all the way down my back and legs. Well I didn't feel tired after he finished! That feeling lasted a couple of days at least.

The next time I had acupuncture was 8 years ago and I was having an operation in the NHS hospital in Basingstoke. The anaethetist was trained in acupuncture and offered me to have some to help with any nausea problems before the op. I happily agreed - no nausea.

Then I moved to Cornwall and I went to an acupuncturist for stomach problems which were lifelong really but I had acid reflux at the time. I went about 4 times but didn't notice any real improvement in that time. She also treated my knee which I had badly injured with a ligament injury. However her needles were very fine and I never had the pain issue that I had from the first treatment.

I would happily go back to acupuncture for regular treatment, though I could never afford it now unfortunately. I haven't had acupuncture since being diagnosed with ME/CFs so I can't really comment on whether it would be helpful or not for that, but I am really glad that it's helping you Lucinda.

[Lucinda]

Sounds like you have had mixed results, aggie. I do think acupuncturists vary a lot.

I also tried a chinese shop myself at one point and didn't get on that well with it. The treatment did help me, but the acupuncturist didn't talk any English which made it very hard. During the 'consultation' we had to have a translator - but then the translator didn't talk good English either which made it hard - but then during the treatment there was only me and her in a room, so I could not communicate to her if I found something very painful or alarming! I did not like that at all.

Personally, I would recommend (from my own experience, and from the experience of friend's of mine who have had acupuncture) to avoid the Chinese shops (mainly due to the language barrior), and also to avoid acupuncturists who are trained in other therapies too. If someone is an Osteopath/Kinesiologist/etc who also does acupuncture, chances are they are not experienced enough to be a good acupuncturist. From what I understand, acupuncture is not an easy therapy. It's as much about experience (and sensitivity to the patient's own needs) as it is about skill and study.

Also, you say that your first experience of acupuncture was excruciating, aggie. I'm not really sure if it should be like that. I remember a friend of mine saw an Osteopath who gave her some acupuncture, and she described it as excruciating, and on top of that she didn’t even benefit from it! So I encouraged her to see mine (reassuring her that it won’t be excruciating) and she found it much less painful, and really benefited. The sensation people get when the needles go in actually varies a lot – I don’t even find it particularly unpleasant, I actually really like going for acupuncture sessions – but if it really hurts, I’d be suspicious regarding whether you actually have a good acupuncturist.

[Beowulf1976]

I had acupuncture on my knee when I was first diagnosed with arthritis back in 2005 and I tell you it was the only relief I had, the physiotherapist I was seeing at the time did it for me and she was really good, the needles hurt a bit when she tightened them (twisted them) but after the treatment I was pain free for hours and that was a blessing because I am still now in 24 hour pain with it.

I have yet to be offered it as a CFS/ME patient.

[MaddyOldale]

Hi all.

Just to add to this really, I'd really recommend acupuncture- my acupuncturist has treated lots of people with CF with really great results- he's based in Worksop/Notts area if anyone is interested in his details let me know.  I'd agree though you have to find a reputable one- I was lucky but I do think if they specialise in more than one thing then that's not really acupuncture.  Go for one that's accredited to the British Council of Acupuncturists- they train for 3 years I think and only do acupuncture.

M
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