To go to a Chinese skin clinic which practices herbal and acupuncture?

[MrsCantSayAnything]

I have an ongoing skin problem and have regularly seen a dermatologist who says it may resolve itself eventually but maybe not... but really, apart from trying very strong cream, which may thin my skin...there's nothing more to do.

I saw a Clinic which specialises in herbal and acupuncture and have made an appointment for a consultation.

DH says they're a lot of rubbish and capitalise on the desperate. Is that true?

I couldn't say. I had acupuncture for morning sickness with this pregnancy and found it very helpful, though whether it 'worked' or not I wouldn't know. It was covered by my health insurance, for whatever that's worth.

I see no harm in going along once and seeing what you think.

'Rubbish' might be stretching a point but when my old lodger went to see them about some mysterious, non-specific illness they sent her away with a very expensive parcel of what can only be described as 'twiggy shit' which she proceeded to boil up on my stove, filling the house with an appalling stench. Drinking the evil black-looking liquid that resulted did the square root of bugger-all for the illness... sorry.

My sister saw a Chinese herbalist for her psoriasis. She was given herbs and a strict diet. It worked wonders but she found it hard to stick to.

I have had massive success with acupuncture to treat PCOS. It was also very pleasant and relaxing.

I think if you can comfortably afford it and can accept that it may not be a miracle cure, there's no harm in trying.

Hmmm.....I think I will go and see what I think... wonder if there's some kind of governing body for them.

Neighbour spent about £100 pounds because he had cold sores. Last time I saw him he was going back because he had another one.

God. £100 on cold sores! Why didn't he just get some Zovirax? I wouldn't mind if what I had was easily treated...but it's not. It's not like the common herpes thing....

The British acupuncture council oversees acupuncturists. Check if this clinic is registered on their website.

Is it one if those places in shopping centres? I would be wary, they have bad reputations. You'd be better off finding an established independent herbalist/acupuncturist via the BAcC.

MrsCantSayAnything I'm sure there is - I am in NL and there is a governing body here (mine was a member hence it being covered by the insurance). I would Google around and see what you can come up with.

I don't subscribe to half of what mine told me, but I feel the same way about my GP as well, so it all balances out. I think that whatever form of medicine you use, it's important to advocate for yourself and use your brain, not just blindly accept whatever you're told.

Just remember that different herbal medicines can have an effect on different organs in your body (not woo, just fact: some are processed for example by your liver) so if you take other medicines it's important to discuss it all with the practitioner or your GP to make sure you are not going to have interference or problems. Just as an example: St John's Wort - not that they will be giving you that - has been shown to interact with many other drugs including the contraceptive pill. My point is, don't just assume that it's 'harmless' because it's herbal medicine; treat it as you would any other drug.

thanks Duchess I'm not on any other medication but I will be careful....I do agree that I doubt my Dermatologist at times...he doesn't listen and that puts me off.

Many years ago i tried Herbal medicines and Acupuncture for Eczema, it made no difference at all

if your like me though you ll try anything to help or cure your skin problem

hope it works for you if u decide to try it

I am seeing an acu at the moment for fertility problems, but also for a dry flakey scalp. I've had three treatments and the scalp is less itchy but still a bit flakey. However, I had two small patches of what I think was eczema (never had anything like it before). They had been there for 15 months. They've disappeared. Completely. I have no idea how sticking a few needles in me can sort out my skin, but apparently it can.