Have you ever had acupuncture ?

[Annabey]

What did you have it for and did it work ?

I have experience of both ‘proper’ acupuncture (Chinese medicine) and the physio/sports kind. Both were brilliant.

I had the traditional stuff for interstitial cystitis, stress and regulating periods. I’m not sure about the stress but my IC was much improved for years when I did it regularly and my periods went to a 28 day cycle where I could predict the day.

I sometimes get the other acupuncture for tight muscles and pain in my neck and upper back. It releases the knots and, therefore, the pain quite quickly.

Its success depends on what you’re having it for, how skilled the practitioner is and how you respond. Even western medicine interventions work for some things/people and not for others.

All this waffle to say, give it a whirl.

I’ve had it, it wasn’t painful but made me feel really dizzy and sick! I had to stop.
I don’t mind needles normally, injections are a non-event! I’m probably just a bit strange!

Had it for a slipped disc in my back and persistent nerve pain which went on for years afterwards. I didn't think it had done anything at the time but the pain is better now so maybe it did. It was on the NHS through physiotherapy.

Yes, for TMJ, on the NHS. It did absolutely nothing sadly and I found it quite unpleasant so was thrilled when the consultant concluded it had achieved nothing and was actively unhelpful. I wouldn't have said it was painful but certain needles were and it felt very uncomfortable, I bruised occasionally but am prone to it and often bled a little when the needles were removed.

Yes, whilst TTC. Had been trying for DC1 for two years with only one pregnancy in that time that ended in early MC. Started acupuncture in the middle of a cycle and fell pg the very next cycle, resulting in DD.
Interesting people tried it to induce labour. Mine was a fertility specialist but said she wouldn't do it to induce labour but recommended reflexology instead.

I'm glad it worked for you. How many seesions did it take?

I had it for foot pain, it didn’t work.

Had it for Achilles tendinitis. 4 or 5 needles around the tendon. Yes it worked.

Yes, from a physio, for back pain

İt didn't help at all, though other interventions did.

First time I had it was for agonising intractable pain and the physio offered it to see if it would give me a little bit of relief, and it gave me half an hour a time of relief so she could touch me without me sobbing.
I've since had many courses for tendonitis and it is brilliant

Yes I have, it was carried out by my GP and was amazingly effective for my nasty sacroiliac joint pain. I was sceptical at first but it was brilliant. Very relaxing too. Two or three sessions followed by starting regular yoga has completely sorted the problem. Go for it.

My husband had it for a really bad back and it was the only thing that worked

Had a series of sessions for lower back pain, it didn't have much effect at all.

I’ve had it more than once

most notably
for plantar fasciitis, worked really well
mobility in pregnancy and avoiding heart induction, again worked brilliantly

incidently im thinking of looking into it again for a neck/migraine issue I have but I’ve since become a regular blood donor and don’t want to have to pause that currently

From physios. For relieving muscle spasms and chronic pain caused by joint issues. Very effective. Generally not an unpleasant procedure, just weird. Occasionally some of the insertions were painful if they were being placed in areas of severe pain. But the results were worth the pain. Sometimes the physio would prepare such areas with other treatment first, like ultrasound, to make the needles more tolerable.

Just to add, all my acupuncture has been on the nhs through a trained physio (or a trained midwife)

I had it following a number of miscarriages and through the first trimester of my last pregnancy. It also alleviated some joint pain I was having. Had it also for a frozen shoulder and whilst it dulled the pain for 24 hours, I now know not to try anything with a FS!

Yes, I did. I had it after a miscarriage and to help my body get ready for another pregnancy. I got pregnant again with 3 months (took nearly 2 years the first time!). I continued to have it during the first trimester.

No idea if it was a placebo effect or it just helped having someone to talk to so I was less stressed. But whatever it was, it worked and I'm very happy!

I'd consider it again if I had the need and the cash.

I have it every month. Helps with the pain of TMJ disorder, stress, and back pain. He’s also helped massively with mood issues and feeling at breaking point. It’s my only luxury, but absolutely worth it.

My GP does it for my knee, neck and TMJ. Knee was the only thing that needed more than one session.

I'm an acupuncturist so obviously have had lots. The reason I trained was because it worked so well on my frozen shoulder and I found it so relaxing.
I try and give people as honest an indication on the effectiveness of treatment on a particular condition as possible before they start. However it is not an exact science. Things I would recommend it for almost every time (although if course not 100% works):
Fibromyalgia, shoulder and neck pain, tennis elbow, knee pain, painful periods, sinusitis, migraines, carpal tunnel, Achilles pain, plantar fascitis.
If having IVF so worth it (especially either side of implantation).
Stress, anxiety, insomnia.
Nausea (chemo/morning sickness) alleviating colitis and IBS.

Run a mile from any practitioner claiming it can "cure" cancer, long term tinnitus, hearing loss, sight, genetic conditions etc. Or if they say it is guaranteed. Also if they try and sell Chinese herbs at vast expense. I run a low cost clinic, where we treat a few people at the same time so bring the price down to £15.

Unfortunately many physios have only had a few days of training and almost always when someone says they had acupuncture and hated it was off a physio. Get to a fully qualified acupuncturist if you can (3 years BSc for me). And make sure they are registered with a professional body (British acupuncture association for example).
If anyone wants to know if a specific conditions works well with acupuncture just ask :)

I had it for chronic headaches/ ME. I found it relaxing and pain free but it didn't help symptoms at all.

Andrelax Does it work for long Covid/inflammation type conditions?