Acupuncture... anybody tried it?
- Thread starter buckeejit
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I had my ankles done. Weird feeling, sometimes you don't feel them going in, sometimes they are a little 'burny' sensation, sometimes they sort of hit a nerve and you twitch.
It seemed to work quite well, but with that kind of thing it is hard to really tell whether it was the acupuncture or another factor.
It seemed to work quite well, but with that kind of thing it is hard to really tell whether it was the acupuncture or another factor.
Soldato
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I had it done on my right knee to treat pain and ligament inflamation, and to help stimulate the muscles. It doesn't really hurn when the needles go in and the sensation is like a slightly hot tingly/burny feeling but it's not painful. That said, my physio did 'stimulate' them after a few minutes by thwiddling the needles and that felt like he'd put a match to my skin, but I still wouldn't describe it as painful.
I really enjoyed it and actually liked the feeling. I kind of imagine it's the same kind of feeling as havinig a tattoo, which is why I'm keen to get one done.
Did it work? For me, yes. I'd been experiencing pain in my knee on & off for years and constantly for a month or two prior to the acupuncture. Afterwards it stopped almost completely for about 5 weeks, then I had another session after the sixth week and it's been only occasional pain now for two years. Could probably do with another session now though.
I really enjoyed it and actually liked the feeling. I kind of imagine it's the same kind of feeling as havinig a tattoo, which is why I'm keen to get one done.
Did it work? For me, yes. I'd been experiencing pain in my knee on & off for years and constantly for a month or two prior to the acupuncture. Afterwards it stopped almost completely for about 5 weeks, then I had another session after the sixth week and it's been only occasional pain now for two years. Could probably do with another session now though.
If you get it free via the NHS you might as well give it a go. That was my philosophy anyway.
Associate
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I've had acupuncture on several occasions, and always found it to be quite beneficial. I've had needles in my scalp, my nose, chest, legs, feet, etc. Its relatively painless, aside from my nose, which did hurt quite a bit. I've also had it for migraines and a generally low immune system, and it did wonders.
Man of Honour
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I had it done on my lower back due to a problem i have and it did hurt a bit when sticking them in, then again my lower back is quite sensitive anyway. Complete waste of time though as all i did was build up a static charge in the damn things.
Invasive placebo is stronger placebo...
I guess it seems to have more of an *effect* than other alternative nonsense but is their any significant difference between real acupuncture and sham acupuncture? Few studies don't appear to suggest there is.
I guess it seems to have more of an *effect* than other alternative nonsense but is their any significant difference between real acupuncture and sham acupuncture? Few studies don't appear to suggest there is.
I read that 'fake' acupuncture actually still helps relieve pain etc.
Associate
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Was also around £25 per session for me. Expect to attend at least 2-3 sessions. usually they take all your details of the problem in the first session, and don't do a long acupuncture session, and then the next week is a full one. Avoid anywhere can claims it only will take one session. From my experience, it takes 3-6 sessions to really do some good.
Placebo or not, if it helps what's the problem?
I assume you've seen a doctor/optician about the headaches? definitely something that shouldn't be ignored medically.
There are some acupressure techniques (especially the point near the thumb) that can be quite effective in dealing with headaches and probably more effective than acupuncture in terms of ability to use them when it happens.
There are some acupressure techniques (especially the point near the thumb) that can be quite effective in dealing with headaches and probably more effective than acupuncture in terms of ability to use them when it happens.
yup, seen doc and opticians... no use.
Hopefully doesn't count as medical advice, google the "tiger's jaw pressure point" will only work if you can actually feel the tension in the pressure point and its only about 60% as effective as painkillers imo.
You should still persist with a medical option imo if they are that severe/frequent.
You should still persist with a medical option imo if they are that severe/frequent.
Apparently so... very strong placebo effect perhaps - at least the sham acupuncture illustrates that the magic energy lines/chi energy stuff is utter nonsense. Also that it doesn't really require much training to stick needles into people as you don't, it seems. even need to stick them in the 'right' places.
Bit of an open question tbh... there are lots of problems with this as per alternative medicine in general. On the serious side someone could go to one of these practitioners with symptoms of a serious condition which then won't be picked up as these people don't have medical training - they believe in chi energy etc...
On the less serious side - its basis is just incorrect, we're allowing the spreading of BS unchallenged if we considered there to be no problem. There is as much of a problem in that case as there is with teaching kids intelligent design over evolution or teaching kids the earth is flat - its just plain wrong.
I don't necessarily have any issue with a GP referring a patient to an acupuncturist to help with say lower back pain which hasn't been resolved by conventional medicine. If they can find some benefit from it then sure why not. Its just promoting the practice in itself is wrong - in reality its just that sticking needles in people as a from of treatment that produces the effect - not any skill/knowledge on the part of the practitioner or any magic magic energy being manipulated.