Acupuncture?

[rondog]

Anybody here ever tried acupuncture? Does it work, or is it voodoo BS? Is it expensive? I've had a neurosurgeon suggest it, but that's all the info he had, "try it".

[Great-Kazoo]

Yes it does work. PROVIDING you get past the anti-natural hyperbole folks.. It may give you some aches and cramps afterwards, that's just your pathways releasing them self. 2 - 3 sessions and you'll wonder whay you took this long to do it.

I know a lot of folks who do acupuncture, massage and chiropractic. They all report an improvement of overall health, vs being on pharmaceuticals, living with pain varying from slight to disabling.

[rondog]

Ok, so is it expensive?

[Tim K]

It works for some things for me. It's a miracle for sleep. Didn't do a thing for chronic shoulder pain, though to be fair that shoulder is pretty crunched up.

My girl hits me for $50. It tends to last 3 weeks in my case.

[rbeau30]

What if you hate needles? Does it hurt?

[colorider]

Have had it several times. The latest was for some severe tendinitis in my forearm. Had major pain for a month. Doctors wanted to do cortazone shots. I went to my accupuncture gal and after 1 session I had 75% less pain within 12 hours. . Fully pain free within 4 days. Other areas it has worked well for is wrist, back, and elbow. $25-$50 per visit. Does not hurt at all. It can kind of freak you out when a needle goes into one part of the body yet you feel a sensation in a totally different area. Don't go to anyone who claims they can do it with a laser or some other ooddball light source they claim will work the same. I fell for that scam years ago. Got my money back so it was not a big deal.

[Snowman78]

I have never had it done but I have a fried whose wife is a Acupuncturist (sp?) I did not know how much training they had to do Took her like 4 year after collage she even went to some Asian country to study it.
She said anything that is treated with western medicine can be treated with acupuncture (other than serious trauma). Give it a try!

[rbeau30]

Sensation... like ouch or ooohhh that tickles?

[Wulf202]

its worth a try. did nothing for me though

[BPTactical]

They tried it 6 times on me for my back, even did E Stim in conjunction with it.
Didn't do a thing for me.

[rondog]

I'm pretty sure the needles won't bother me. I endured some kind of nerve testing on my arm where they stuck an assload of needles all over my arm from shoulder to palm, and then sent electrical currents through to measure some kind of nerve reactions or whatever. Basically to verify that - yup, I have severe carpal tunnel syndrome.

I'm more concerned about cost, a quality practitioner near Parker, and if my insurance through Kaiser will cover it. It's a Kaiser neurosurgeon recommending this. Research this more, I must!

[Monky]

After breaking my back I gave it a go.. Got some release, but it wasn't till I found out about 'deep needling' (insert jokes here) that I really got relief. It wasn't so much the back as the rest of my body compensating for the injury. That along with a sadist for a massage therapist that I see two times a month seems to stave off the aches and pains.

Deep needling is also called IMS






Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[rbeau30]

I dunno. I was discharged for back pain, They think a torn disc... I usually can handle pain. (I am in pain 24x7x365) But I am a weanie when it comes to needles. I really hated Combat Life Saver's IV practice before I deployed.

I suppose it cannot hurt to try. Chiropractor was hit or miss, however my Physical therapist did the muscle stimulator electrical thingy which was awesome. But cannot see one of those untill I finally get seen by my VA PM.

[Clint45]

Just like with chiropractic, not all acupuncturists are equal and many don't seem to have a clue. Find someone who has years of experience and excellent reviews. I hate to sound racist, but you generally will have the best luck with a traditional Chinese practitioner. It does work if the person knows what they're doing. I do not think it is covered by most insurance.

[muddywings]

PM sent on who I go to (not acupuncture) for problems like yours. I tried it for trigger finger (not joking) and it did nothing. YMMV; Clint's perspective is sound IMHO

[Great-Kazoo]

Ok, so is it expensive?

Average of $40-50 per visit


What if you hate needles? Does it hurt?

The needles are approx the thickness of a piece of hair off your head. Slight sensation when applied. the more you feel it the more release you might be getting. IMHO until you try it you will never understand the actual feeling of the needle.




Sensation... like ouch or ooohhh that tickles?

see above reply



I'm more concerned about cost, a quality practitioner near Parker, and if my insurance through Kaiser will cover it. It's a Kaiser neurosurgeon recommending this. Research this more, I must!

IF it is Primary care physician referred they should cover it. If they say no get your neurosurgeon AND primary to not only suggest it but talk to the ins, Which is kaiser. They were very good to use when the spouse worked for them regarding referrals. However acupuncture is considered OON. You may have to pay out of pocket , then get kaiser to reimburse you. As with any ins HMNO, GFL getting reimbursed for anything.

For anyone who has been told they need a cortisone shot, look in to prolo therapy.

[rockhound]

A good acupuncturist cured my sciatic nerve issues a few years back

[bryjcom]

I threw my back out a couple of years ago and I could hardly walk. My wife took me to get acupuncture and I gotta say it made it better for me. Wasn't 100% but I felt great afterwards and could actually walk like a normal human being. Still had pain but wasn't anything near what it was.

The doc basically explained it to me, that when your body has a foreign object in it, it rushes blood to the area. They are triggering an increase of blood flow to certain areas to help alleviate pain or chronic condition you may have.

[bryjcom]

Almost forgot to mention that when they put the needle it and it burns, tell them and they'll reposition it. Every needle went in fine except for that one and he said he must have hit a nerve so he slightly repositioned it.

[buffalobo]

Average of $40-50 per visit



The needles are approx the thickness of a piece of hair off your head. Slight sensation when applied. the more you feel it the more release you might be getting. IMHO until you try it you will never understand the actual feeling of the needle.





see above reply



IF it is Primary care physician referred they should cover it. If they say no get your neurosurgeon AND primary to not only suggest it but talk to the ins, Which is kaiser. They were very good to use when the spouse worked for them regarding referrals. However acupuncture is considered OON. You may have to pay out of pocket , then get kaiser to reimburse you. As with any ins HMNO, GFL getting reimbursed for anything.

For anyone who has been told they need a cortisone shot, look in to prolo therapy.
+1 on the prolo therapy. I have a friend who participated in a trial run/test. Said was great had good results. Would do it again if needed.

lobbed from my electronic ball and chain

[MrPrena]

Acupuncture does work.
Visited since I was 8 years old. Price ranges should be $25-45.
Aurora has lots of them.

[flogger]

I had BAD back spasms after a laminectomy and went to a lady in Castle Rock for help (she's in Georgia now), it did wonders. I hate needles but fell asleep every time I went there.

[rondog]

Well, I found out that Kaiser actually DOES have some acupuncture Docs. Just not well-known. Since my wife works for Kaiser it should be mighty cheap, like $10 co-pays.

Her working for Kaiser and us having their coverage has come in handy as hell! I'm fixin' to have a surgery in the near future that won't cost us a dime.

[ChadAmberg]

I had a bout of sciatica several years ago, and had it done. Didn't fix it by itself, but definitely gave a good bit of relief. Enough so that I could do my physical therapy easier.