Acupuncture

[cheekypickle]

AIBU or does it actually work? And if so what is it meant to do. I've just had some and I feel much the same!

Helped my morning sickness a treat. I certainly stopped actually being sick and the sicky feeling reduced a lot. And my energy levels went up.

I also had 3 months of various viruses and being run down. A couple of sessions alleviated the ENT pain I had along with the viruses and I felt like myself again. This was within a week of the Dr having told me I would be unwell for another 4 - 6 weeks.

I do see a Chinese Dr though, very qualified.

Acupuncture has had lots of research done on lots of different conditions. Have a look at the WHO website, there is a very long list of condition where acupuncture has been shown to be efficient.
There is also some research on how acupuncture works. They've shown that it changes blood flow, hormone levels and has some effect on the brain itself.

Can I just say, acupuncture doesn't mean anything at all.
People use needles for lots of different reasons. Physio used them on muscles to help release them (very good for musculo conditions), then there are acupuncturists who follow the chinese traditionS (quite a lot of them), the japenese tradition etc.... There is also auriculo acupuncture and the NADA protocol that is sued in detox centre and prison for addicts (drugs, alcohol etc...).

There is some good research on all of these and some not so good research. but overall, I would say it points out to be a good therapy.

Oh yes some people have just a couple of week ends as a training when other have 3~4 years, without talking of some chinese doctors who have trained for 5 years + (as you would here to be become a doctor in an hospital)

cheekypickle, a good friend of mine is an acupuncturist. He has always said that it is unusual to have some clear effects after just one treatment and that you should always 4 or 5 before saying yay or nay.

My experience is that it took a couple of treatments for me to start and see the difference.

I have had two courses from a Chinese doctor over the last 8 years for back pain ( the first time was after an injury) and I swear by it. I have no idea how it works (she explained it to me but it was all a bit woo) but I know that it does.

If I ever feel the need to go again, I shan't hesitate. I only wish I could afford to have it very week as it's so relaxing!

This may not be worth the cost per session alone, but I've benefitted greatly from the talking that goes with the accupuncture - unlike the hurried GP appointment, my accupuncturist asks about work and relationships as well as health.