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doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorJul 23, 2008

I really need advice, I suffer a lot of pain every day and have been taking morphin for a long time owing to back pain that I have had for years. I also have arthritis which has flared up recently and it's giving me far more pain than I can take right now, so what I am asking is has anyone tried acupuncture? I want to know if it gives relief and if so for how long and if treatment will need to be done reguarly after the initial set of treatments. I really don't know too much about acupuncture. Maybe some of you may have tried other treatments that have worked, if so please can you advise me on them.

Thanks. Hugs, Jane.  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

ladyjujuann Jul 23, 2008

Awwww Jane I am sorry to hear about your pains - I have not had acupuncture but a friend did and she said she felt great after - hers was to relax and she did. So I guess you wont know until you have tried, I would suggest just pricing around and see what the specialist say. I hope that you find some rest from it soon, I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I'm sending a hug! :hug:
xxx Julie

desertmountainbear Jul 23, 2008

Dear Jane,  I have had acupuncture for fibromyalsia that I have had since the 1980's.  The treatments did not help me with that.  But people who practice that often practice other holistic type medicines that are also worth looking into.  It was not a painful procedure, and I took treatments for quite a while but it would not loosen up my back muscles, but who says it won't work for you.  try everything
Joanne

danceswithteddybears Jul 23, 2008

Hi Jane
Sorry to hear you're in so much constant pain.  I empathize with you.
I, too, suffer from back pain.  I have Spondylolisthesis (which is basically a slipped vertebra).  I had surgery 10 years ago, which helped, but it's a deteriorating type problem and now I need a re-do on the surgery.  No thanks!  It was a long recovery and I had to wear a full-body brace for three months.  I'll wait until I absolutely need it.
I take pain pills and a muscle relaxer.  Some days I'm fine, other days I can't even walk.  So I truly know what you're going through.  I also have arthritis in the area, due to the surgery they say.
I've been told acupuncture works, but I've yet to try it.  I keep meaning to, but also keep putting it off.  I hate needles!  They say you can't feel the needles, but it's the idea of needles sticking in me that hurts.  Silly, I know.
I don't know what you're suffering from, but I do think the pain is similar, no matter what back ailment we have.  Do you have shooting pain in your legs? 
I'd say to try acupuncture, and ignore my last paragraph.    
I wish you well.
  Laura 

MerBear Jul 23, 2008

I'm a great fan of acupuncture altho I must say I don't suffer from chronic pain like you. I had a frozen shoulder a couple of years ago from a fall - my doctor said to get used to it! I went for acupunture and now have full range of movement back. It also made a big difference in the arthritis in my neck. My husband also went for treatments for his knees. He has had 3 surgeries and is facing eventual replacement. The acupuncture is extending the time between cortisone shots.
Acupunture is not a quick fix and will probably nessitate long-term treatment but certainly is not painful and a lot of heath plans are now funding it.

Good luck,

Marion

PS - I also found I had a general sense of well-being after each treatment... like I was properly balanced.

am_bears Jul 23, 2008

Awww sorry and condolences, back pain is no fun at all...ever!  You could try a course of Swedish Body Massage, i know this probably sounds weird (trust me, I am a qualified therapist in this)  But a lot of pain is muscle tension and if you can find a way of relaxing those muscles in good cases it can halve what you are feeling.  I haven't ever tried accupuncture, but have heard that it's very good. 

I hope you feel better soon  :hug:

FenBeary Folk Jul 23, 2008

Ah Jane, hope you are soon feeling better

I think backs are an individual thing, what works for one doesn't work for others, my hubby has suffered for years and has to rise about 1 1/2 hours before going to work just to get mobile. He takes a health shop tablet called Supaflex which has helped alot, he took Arthrufen (not sure if its spelt that way) he only took it a short while cos of the side efffects

It may be worth you giving Supaflex a whirl but do make sure you go to a good health shop that will look at the drugs you take, to make sure you can have them
Good Luck x

Gantaeno Jul 23, 2008

If you're not too skeptical, I know a lady (she actually gave me the word 'Lugly') who swears by reiki, which is a holistic healing dependant on retuning the body (i think! :P) She shattered her leg quite badly a few months ago, and has had lots of operations to sort it out, but in between I know what she'd recommend

Daphne Jul 23, 2008

I read the title of your post and before even clicking on it to read more I said right out loud "accupuncture"!

I have no presonal experience with it but know of many who have and my doctor, chiropractor and VET all have recommended it. In fact I just noticed a new "Accupuncture Center" has opened up in a nearby city. And yes, I said the vet..... one of my dogs has severe allergies, arthritis, hip issues and is a mental case. The vet is going to start doing accupuncture on him in a couple of weeks and said he's seen amazing results. He thinks it will help with this allergies and overall imbalance. He's been studying the technique for a couple of years and is a firm believer in eastern medicine.

I do think that part of the success lies in your state of mind and attitude towards it.

As an aside, and I realize you are already on morphine, have you been to a pain management center if such a thing exists there. My dad has a lot of experience with them and is actually on a "pain patch" of phentynol (sp?) which has been more effective than oral meds as its absorbed differently and is applied near the source of the pain. It doesn't effect him mentally like the oral meds did. He does have a strong oral med for break through pain but the patch really seems to be working for him.... and its been a year now.

I hope you can find a new treatment that works for you. Chronic pain is just so awful to live with. :hug:

DebbieD Jul 23, 2008

I've had acupuncure for ongoing kidney problems, and it definitely helps with paincontrol!!!     It certainly helps to rebalance the body's flow. 

My acupuncturist wouldn't let me see the needles going in.  I mean, I could see the needles, but they tried to keep me from seeing them in my body....I think they worried I would stress too much!     And they were right!  For my very first session, he had his wife in with me too to keep me comforted and to talk me through the process.  But coming out I always felt very happy and zonked from it...very painfree for awhile, and the more treatments I had, the less the pain bothered me inbetween. 

But as said before, each back injury and everyone is individual.  What may work well for one, may not work for another.  You can only give it a try.   :hug:   I do hope you find some relief soon, though.  Chronic pain is horrible!   :hug:

cherylbruinwerks Jul 23, 2008

My physiotherapist is also an acupuncture practioner and the medic for my city's rugby team. She said the big  tough players were a 'hard sell' on acupuncture at first but now she says at any given time during a match she has 4-5 guys on their backs with needles in their toes!    I love it! I don't know that it works for everybody but it sure helped me with some chronic pain issues I had after some surgery. 99.9% of the time I didn't feel the needles going in & I just chose not to watch. It can't hurt to try but make certain that the person is qualified -any quack can say they do acupuncture (at least here in Canada).
Tender hugs,
Cheryl

Dilu Jul 23, 2008

Were it an option for me I would go for it.  The worst case sceanerio?  It doesn't help.  You are no worse off.

Best casr?  You do get relief!

hugs
di

Nancy D Jul 23, 2008

I worked for a vet that practiced acupuncture and saw it do wonders. I used to be a Dachshund breeder and they are prone to back problems. I had one doxie that had a disc rupture and was paralyzed. After 6 weeks of 2x wkly treatments you would never know she ever had a problem.
We saw animals for skin problems, urinary incontinence, arthritis and even cancer. The needles are so fine you barely feel them. Most of the animals didn't even flinch.

wendi Jul 23, 2008

Hi Jane

Sorry to hear you are suffering so much :hug:  I tried acupuncture once for Endometriosis but unfortunately it made me feel very light headed and dizzy, the therapist said it does have that effect for some people, I also have a big fear of needles which probably didn't help :doh:

One thing i have found good is a tens machine, but i guess it would depend if you were treating a particular area as you can't really treat many areas at the same time with it, might be worth looking into though

All the best :hug:

fredbear Jul 24, 2008

Jane, I have never had any acupuncture, I do know of a friend who had terrible shingles that he could not get rid of and in desperation he had it done. I am not sure if it is mind of matter, but today he is pain free since having it done.
I also sent Irene to have it done when she got shingles which is very common in SA when HIV appears. It also helped her.

I think if you want to try anything go for it providing it does not make your condition worse. Nothing ventured noting gained. Somewhere out there you might just find something that will work for you, if not just make your life more bearable.

    Lynette

Lovethosebears Jul 24, 2008

Dear Jane, I damaged my shoulder in May and my GP referred me to physio who said accupuncture would treat the area and help with the pain.  I hadn't slept for five nights because of the pain prior to seeing this lady and after 1 treatment I found some relief (and got some sleep!).  I had 8 treatments over 4 weeks and found after each treatment a real improvement. Like Wendi I am needle phobic and was really nervous about the needles, but I was in such pain, I couldn't wait for her to put them in! 

I would recommend it to any one, so please give it a go.

Best wishes, Ali x 

Lisa Jul 24, 2008

Jane,
I can't help you with the acupuncture question but you are such a sweetheart that I wanted to say I hope you feel better soon.  Biggest hugs!

Christine Jul 24, 2008

Hi Jane,
I would thoroughly reccommend 'Body Stress Release' as well, if you can find a therapist in your area.  I used to go regluarly when I lived on the Isle of Wight and could really use some more sessions, but there isn't a practicioner in my area yet - you might be luckier.  It really does work!  The official website is here:
http://www.bodystressrelease-uk.co.uk/index.php

Good luck - anything is worth a try!!
Hugs,
Chris

Linda Jul 24, 2008

Hi Jane
I had really bad back problems for years, accupuncture worked quite well, as did visits to an osteopath. But recently I have been taking glucosamine, fish oil and evening primrose oil (2 caps of the glucosamine/day and 4 each of the oils) and my back and other joints have been really good, there were days in the past when I couldn't lift my feet off the floor to put my knickers on in the morning, and I often ended up sleeping seated on the couch in the lounge because I couldn't stand the pain of lying down, but hopefully those days are past!   It has probably taken a year for me to be almost pain free and I can now use the Gym which I'm hoping will help even more, as I strengthen my abdominal muscles. I don't want to go back to where I was, living on codene which was not real good for the ol' bowels!! Hope this helps, try anything and everything till you find what works for you! Take good care and my best wishes are with you, I know what you're going through.  

Gijzette Jul 24, 2008

Jane,

I'm sorry to hear that you are in such pain. I've too suffer from lots of back pain and the doctor recommended acupuncture to me but with my fear of needles it was a no go. Instead I opted for taking Omega-3, glucosomine and getting a TENS unit. The chiropractor has also started me on decompression therapy. The TENS unit has been a lifesaver while recovering from surgery since I can't have my weekly decompression treatments. I was able to purchase mine from my chiropractor. You might want to talk to your doctor about getting one. Also, one thing that has helped me is reflexology when the sciatic nerve is acting up.

I do hope you can find some pain relief.

Hugs,

Carolyn Green Jul 25, 2008

Dear Jane,

So sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain.
I have not had acupunture but I would definately give it a go as I have heard of people
that have been helped by this method.

Gijzette was saying she takes Omega - 3, I also take one capsule a day and that seems to make me feel healthy and have more energy.
We have A Doctor friend, that swears by it so I would give that a try.

I really hope that you can find some relief from your pain and I am sending hugs your way.

Hugs
Carolyn
:hug:    :hug:

mingrul Jul 25, 2008

hi jane... hope your feeling better.... im afraid of needles so i dont do acupunture but I know it helps. But of course, you need to check that the needles they use are ok or safe... get well soon...  :hug:

honeysuckleMo Jul 25, 2008

Hi Jane,

So sorry to hear about your pain getting worse.

I had acupuncture 12 years ago as therapy during/after my divorce and it really helped me to relax, sleep better and regain my confidence.

I'm not worried about needles but they don't hurt AT ALL - are very thin and it feels like someone is just touching you with a finger on the place, not a sharp feeling or anything. I would say definitely give it a try, you have nothing to lose. It's widely available now, one of the GP's in my practice even does it so you can find a reputable place near you I'm sure. Let us know how you get on.

Big bear hugs,  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Mo xx

Studio44 Jul 26, 2008

Oh Jane, just read this. I am so sorry that the pain is so bad at the moment. Can't give you any advice about accupuncture but can send lots of hugs  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: and love  You have been so kind and supportive to me I just wish I could do something that would actually help.
Love
Dorothy