To think that accupuncture is a load of bollocks

[Pakdooik]

I've got a long term bad back - usually OK but every now and then it goes badly awry and I take myslef off to the physio.

The f**ng thing went as I was getting out of bed on Saturday so after a weekend of pain I got an emegency appointment this afternoon. My regular physio was fully booked so I had someone I'd not seen before.

In addition to the usual heat treatment and manipulation, she offered me accupuncture. Now I'll try anything if it'll aid my back so I said OK. But as I lay there for 20 minutes with 12 needles in my back, legs and feet having my "energy channelled" I couldn't help but think it was a load of old tripe.

Has anyone here had any benefit from the pin treatment?

Acupuncture can work well with chronic back pain but tends to work best as a package of care including manipulation (chiro/osteo or specially trained physio) and exercises. Here is a summary of the theories of how it works sundialclinics.co.uk/our-treatments/acupuncture/

Acupuncture, carried out by the right person, can be absolutely wonderful. You don't always get the right person from the start, so you may have to try a few.

Modern medicine, carried dispensed by the right person, can also be wonderful. You don't always get the right person from the start.

The difference as far as I can see it is that GPs prescribe drugs to halt the symptoms.

Acupuncturists look for and try to cure the cause.

GPs are also, very often, in the drugs companies pockets. Money talks.

That just about sums it up, SwedeHeart.

I was completely unable to walk and my physio couldn't touch me so gave me accuncture... I walked out able to walk. Pain relief hadn't even been touching the pain. Everyone else who I know has had it had it for fertility reasons.

I know a vet who uses this on her animal patients ant it does work for them. It can't be 'mind over matter' for a cat, surely! Mum had it for weight loss and it didn't work for her.

Conventional Western medicine isn't 100% either!