Acupuncture

[Catherine]

I was wondering if anyone else had had acupuncture and whether they thought it worked for them.

As I said in an earlier post I have arthritis in my feet, both big toe joints and have recently had injections in both joints, the left which is the worse one does not seem to have worked. I had the right one done two weeks ago and I am not holding out much hope.

Anyway the Specialist arranged for me to have physio for my left foot. I went on Friday and getting out of bed in the morning I wrenched my left knee. So I limped into the physio department and after a discussion about my problems she decided to do acupuncture. It was fabulous. I have no pain in my knee on leaving the department. Though it did not work on my toe joint. I now have five more sessions booked and I am hoping that this will improve on each session. If it does I am going to carry on with them because I could not believe how good it felt not to have any pain in my knee.

I fell years ago straight on to my knee caps and have always had twinges in that knee, and it is larger than the other one.

If anyone else is considering acupuncture I can highly recommend it. It worked for me.

[Chantal]

I had acupuncture in my lower legs a few years ago and would never go again. I've never been in so much pain in my life and both calf muscles went into spasm; cramp is bad enough without having needles sticking out at all angles at the same time. I'm needle phobic so it had taken a lot to get me there (sedatives) and cramp was the final straw. Plus, not surprisingly, it didn't actually work. Not for me I fear.

Having said all that, my mother swears by it.

[Colin_M]

I can't account for Chantal's experience but someone I know is a trained acupuncture practitioner.

I've received acupuncture from him and also from another person some time back. In neither case would I say I experienced any pain during the treatment. Having said that, some acupuncture points produce a more powerful effect (but the person doing it should be able to prepare you for anything like that).

I can make no claim for the beneficial effects and it more suitable for some conditions than others. As Catherine has found, for some people it works wonders and it's definitely worth considering.

Another point to consider for anyone with a phobia to needles is that the acupuncture points can be activated without needles (someone demonstrated this on me just using the pressure of their fingers). Again this is only really effective from a trained practitioner and the effect may not be as strong.

[Primrose]

I had it once for a frozen shoulder which caused me a great deal of pain for many months. It did seem to reduce the pain level but didn't help much in giving me any more arm movement unfortunately. I expected the needle insertion to be painful but it wasn't, possibly because the individual administering it got his patients into a very relaxed bodily state before applying any of the needles.

[Catherine]

I have my second treatment tomorrow. But I am beginning to think that my body is giving up on me as today I was bending down to get something out of a cupboard and my back went. (God knows where its gone but it definately went) just had a soak in the bath but I am being very careful where I sit and move. It is in the middle of my back and to the right hand side knicker line . Please God can it be better tomorrow when I get up as we are going on holiday on Saturday to the Lake District on a walking and mountain biking holiday. Hello what am I going to do. I have got dicky feet knees and now back. My OH is getting used to me going ouch ouch. See what tomorrow brings

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Catherine, i hope all goes well with your acupunture tomorrow.
I also hope your back clears off in time for your holiday. These problems often seem to come one after another, it probably happens because one tries to favour one problem, so putting more pressure onto a different part of the body.

Anyway, here's wishing you well.

And are you proud of me, i didn't even mention the knicker line, oh blow it i have know.

[Catherine]

Dear OH Thank you for your good wishes. I am hoping that tomorrow will help various joints. I agree that once you have a pain in your back, feet or knees you change your gait which makes other joints painful. I can't take neurofen as it upsets my stomach so I have to use the gel rub on my joints which doesnt always work. I used to do alot of running in my youth. I used to run for Bolton Harriers, and Lancashire Schools and my school cross country, I used to run for hours, and kept running as I grew older with two small children to keep fit. Unfortunately it did not do me any good as this is why I have the problem with my feet, knees and back. I do miss running though. Thankyou for not really mentioning the kn***er line.

[Geoff]

Sounds like you'll have to hire a rowing boat, sit back and enjoy the countryside while your husband gets the exercise.

[Catherine]

Hi Geoff, I dont think we will need to hire a boat as I have just watched the weather forecast for the weekend it looks like we might get floods

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Catherine, has your back eased at all over night?

[Catherine]

Dear OH, Yes thank you it has eased very slightly. I am off shortly for the acupuncture and I am going to see if she will stick some needles in my back for me.

I am suprised to see what a lovely day it is today after the doom and gloom of the weather forecast. I was expecting a really awful day. Instead it is a lovely autumn day. What is your weather like OH? It looks like the weather is coming up from the south.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Catherine, glad to read your back is slightly better.

As regards the weather, it's absolutely chucking it down, and it's meant to do this all day.
Also, i think i will be sharing it with you all as the day goes on.

[Catherine]

Dear OH I am back from my acupuncture. It is fabulous my knee feels perfect. No pain at all. I still have four more treatments and if it continues to feel like this I will be really suited.

As usual you are too kind wanting to share your weather with us, as I look out of our kitchen window we have beautiful blue sky and sunshine. I am about to put some washing out.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Catherine, glad the acupuncture has worked wonders. It is a lovely feeling when something like that really works.

It did brighten up here a 10 oclock, so off i trotted to work, only to return two and a half hours later soaked through.

Hope your washing dries.

[Catherine]

Still sunny here OH Washed the car, hovered it out, put two loads of washing out and made three casseroles and a lentil loaf. Busy busy busy