Acupuncture - have you ever had any and did it work for you?

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I suffer from a myriad of chronic health issues, some I don't think acupuncture would help with but I do wonder if it could help with some of the other issues I have on a daily basis?

I've exhausted conventional medicine due to ineffectiveness or unwanted side effects so I'm now looking into 'alternatives' and acupuncture does seem to be one of the more accepted ones.

Did it help you and how many sessions did you need before you found some relief from your issues and would you recommend it as an alternative?

Yes I had post viral fatigue/long Covid. It seemed to help with fatigue levels - my acupuncturist was an expert in the area of chronic fatigue having suffered himself. It took about 6 weeks of weekly sessions.

Had a bit of a relapse recently when I overdid it so may go back to monthly maintenance.

I tried it for infertility and IVF…..the only cycle I didn’t have the acupuncture (5 cycles of IVF) due to Covid lockdown I got pregnant with twins 🤪
I did find it relaxing though

Yes - for Migraine and vomiting.

When I first went my acupuncturist said it takes 4-6 sessions to know if it works for you so I knew I could have a go and it wouldn't cost thousands!

I was vomiting for 3 days solid every month through migraine - and it had been going on for years.

I went in desperation as it was my daughter's engagement party and I was due another vomiting session right when the party was. I really didn't want to miss it.

I did 4 sessions - one a week up to the day of the party and then one of the day... and it worked.

I kept it up monthly for years and then stopped for a bit because my original acupunturist left.

I was okay for about 6 months and then relapsed.

I then found a new one and went to her to stop me from getting sick again the next month - again it worked.

I went to her once a month for about 2 years and then I sort of felt it wasn't helping any more.

Then after about a year or so the vomiting came back and I went back to her...

... this has happened a few times now and I just go when I have something important coming up and I don't want to be hurling my guts up for it.

... so after all that - yes, I go and I would highly recommend - it really works.

My nuerologist was very encouraging about going to acupuncture when I told him - I was surprised!

Exhaustion is one of the reasons I'd like to try it so that sounds hopeful.

I was utterly overwhelmed with grief following a bereavement and went to see my GP. He was the loveliest man and to my surprise actually gave me acupuncture there and then. I only had one session but it was a turning point at which I started to climb out of a hole of misery.

Perhaps it was the acupuncture, or perhaps his kindness and understanding, but I wouldn't hesitate to have acupuncture again if I felt it might help me.

My gp offered this for my dodgy SI joint and it was great. That and regular exercise sorted me. Very relaxing too

Yes I’ve had it for shoulder pain. It’s like voodoo, I don’t know how it works but it does!

Thanks everyone - I think I'll give it a go.

I hope it helps - I used to be sceptical but I’m a big fan now. Especially when western medicine has failed to help me.

Another here who tried it for infertility and IVF. I found it sooo relaxing, and fell pregnant on cycle 1

My dentist recommended acupuncture for bruxism (teeth clenching- has it helped anyone for this?

I had an intensive 6 sessions for nothing specific, some peri and gastric issues. It was covered on my health cash plan and I fancied trying it.

There wasn't any noticeable improvements to my health that I couldn't put down to HRT kicking in. It was a lovely and relaxing treatment though that gave me an hours rest with chill out music a week for 6 weeks.