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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider acupuncture- woo or valuable?

54 replies

Edenspirits · 29/06/2021 12:21

I am considering acupuncture to help with my perimenopause symptoms and was wondering about peoples experiences of it.

I have a friend who credits acupuncture with curing her infertility so I have heard some strong opinions of it. And another that says it prevented her from taking HRT.

Aibu to ask for your experiences as balance- good and bad!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 29/06/2021 15:45

The problem is that it is impossible to test. You can't do a double blind study. What do you do, pretend to stick needles in? So it's all studies without a proper control.

Having said that I had it and my tennis elbow got better. Correlation or causation, I can't say. Placebo? Who knows? And it would be extreme placebo because of the extreme nature of the treatment. Scientists have modelled that up to 80% of the painkilling effect of morphine is placebo. Acupuncture is very 'good' for pain so maybe.

It's one of the few 'alternative therapies' I will even consider. So if you think it might help, it probably will. Even if it's placebo!

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/06/2021 15:47

Also, regression to the mean. People always forget including me just now that there are more reasons things work that don't work than just placebo effect.

4PawsGood · 29/06/2021 18:08

@MrsTerryPratchett

Also, regression to the mean. People always forget including me just now that there are more reasons things work that don't work than just placebo effect.
@MrsTerryPratchett can you say that again so someone feeling a bit dopey can understand it? I feel like it’s really interesting but I can’t quite get it.
SoMuchForSummerLove · 29/06/2021 18:16

I've had two courses of it and it (no exaggeration) changed my quality of life for the better. I'd spend any amount of money on it again if the same issue arose.

It was not for peri but for hot flushes (I was still young) and it stopped them dead, they'd been ruining my life.

speakout · 29/06/2021 18:19

I have had it several times on the NHS.
Our local physiotherapy dept at a large NHS health centre provide it.
Worked brilliantly for sciatic pain relief.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/06/2021 20:14

@4PawsGood regression or reversion to the mean means something tends to go back to 'normal'. So if my back hurts a bit for ages, then gets worse, that's when I seek help. But it's likely to go back to just hurting a bit naturally. I'm more likely to seek help at my worst so when I try acupuncture or homeopathy, I'm really struggling. Then my back gets a bit better and I think it's the woo, not just 'normal'.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre is a good read for all these weird reasons we believe woo!

4PawsGood · 29/06/2021 20:16

[quote MrsTerryPratchett]@4PawsGood regression or reversion to the mean means something tends to go back to 'normal'. So if my back hurts a bit for ages, then gets worse, that's when I seek help. But it's likely to go back to just hurting a bit naturally. I'm more likely to seek help at my worst so when I try acupuncture or homeopathy, I'm really struggling. Then my back gets a bit better and I think it's the woo, not just 'normal'.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre is a good read for all these weird reasons we believe woo![/quote]
Thanks!

I’m half way through that book. I should finish it Smile

24hoursfromtulsa · 29/06/2021 20:18

I tried acupuncture for migraines. Did absolutely nothing for me.

AnnaMagnani · 29/06/2021 20:23

I trained in it as some people in my department were very keen on it. The training course convinced me it was woo.

I've had it for migraines and it did 'work' in that in an emergency when I couldn't have some proper meds, sticking some needles in was better than nothing. But a lot of migraineurs have tense muscles all over their heads.

Botox was way better.

When I did it to patients I always felt it was spending the time with them that was working.

Thisusedtobeaniceneighbourhood · 29/06/2021 20:24

I had acupuncture for pelvic girdle pain and an upslipped hip following childbirth. I was extremely sceptical and basically humouring my physio, but it did work. I was very surprised! I had a handful of sessions over 6 months or so and the problem completely resolved. The issue was actually a hangover from my first baby, and again I had extensive physio sessions postpartum, but the manual therapy never quite resolved things. Not like acupuncture did. I would definitely try it for something else.

Iknowtheanswer · 29/06/2021 20:26

I've had it several times with significant success.

I had it to ease PMS whilst waiting for fertility treatment. Regulated me periods, which were a over the place, and I fell pregnant after 6 months of treatment.

Had it after my pregnancy, again for PMS and erratic periods, and later had no problem filling pregnant with DS2.

Had it for back pain, again very successful.

It seems to suit me. In fact, the different practitioners I saw said it works for some people, but not others. I have a very strong, quick response to it (feel very heavy and tired, even as I am having it).

topwings · 29/06/2021 20:28

I did it for infertility. Enjoyed it but it didn't help with the infertility.

MsJinks · 29/06/2021 20:30

I saw it work incredibly for father’s arthritis- ahis hands literally unfolded and it lasted 3 years before needing a top up. He was elderly, science teacher originally and not inclined to be woo. I looked into it for digestion and menopause and my clinic does focus on female stuff - i was unsure though how it could help less tangible issues but feel an improvement in less sweating, much better sleep and less ‘flat’ feeling. The most amazing treatment was returning after a bereavement- in error really as forgot to cancel - but she dealt with that incredibly- felt so chilled, all shoulder pain (assumed laptop working) just gone - just the best relief. Do ensure the acupuncturist is registered with their society and be aware some physios or nurses and similar may learn needling not full acupuncture which can be helpful but really is not the same. I was offered a acu point needle for post procedure pain relief so must be recognised but just give it a try with someone you feel is competent and understands what you need.

SapphosRock · 29/06/2021 20:50

It definitely helped my migraines. I used to get them with aura all the time, since acupuncture they are less frequent and only last a few hours.

I also had it leading up to and on the day of IVF embryo transfer and I got pregnant.

Lostmarbles2021 · 29/06/2021 21:16

I’m a massive advocate. Worked for me for:

  • long term skin issue (I was sceptical but the results for this were amazing so tried it for other things;
  • fertility
  • pelvic symphysis
  • migraines
  • perimenopausal symptoms

Gutted have moved and can’t find one near enough now.

Traditional acupuncturists train for a couple of years and do a degree. They learn Chinese medical theory and how to apply it which is different to western medicine so can seem very woo to westerners. Physios and doctors can do a couple of weeks training but use needling within a western medical framework. The later is usually better for simple and clear western diagnoses like muscular skeletal issues. Traditional acupuncture is better for more complex systemic issues.

It doesn’t work for everyone but neither do lots of commonly prescribed drugs. It has less side effects than many commonly prescribed drugs and is very safe.

Guys hospital have been using it successfully for chronic issues like ME and more recently long COVID.

It’s hard to do randomised controlled trials and hard to get funding for research so it’s hard to get it into mainstream health care but it’s getting there.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 29/06/2021 21:22

I've had it in NHS physiotherapy. It helped a lot for my muscle and joint pain.

Neron · 29/06/2021 21:24

Not woo - but just to point out there is a BIG difference in actual acupuncture by an acupuncturist and sport needling carried out by an osteo/physio/other therapist

PennineSpring · 29/06/2021 21:29

Acupuncture is a dark art! I’ve not tried it for perimenopausal symptoms but I can’t recommend it enough for nerve or muscle pain relief. I only use a qualified Chinese doctor though. My only experience with a British practitioner was painful and unsuccessful so I stick to a locally based Chinese doctor who is wonderful.

Bksjshsbbev2737 · 29/06/2021 21:31

I have it for migraines and it does seem to be helping; I asked people their experiences and have heard stories of it helping back pain, ibs, fertility, helping prevent miscarriage. I also find ot really helps with stress and anxiety

BirdsandBeesmakinghay · 29/06/2021 21:33

It turned my husbands health around. I have also had it and it was very beneficial.
I know quite a few people who have it regularly for various things, and all are converts.

DramaAlpaca · 29/06/2021 21:37

I'm the least woo person ever, but acupuncture is amazing. I had it to help with shoulder pain, my physiotherapist offers it, and I couldn't believe how much it helped.

Learningatmyownpace · 29/06/2021 21:41

Anyone tried it for insomnia?

MsJinks · 30/06/2021 06:01

Not specifically insomnia but waking regularly was an issue that acupuncture resolved alongside other issues.

Inthesameboatatmo · 30/06/2021 06:22

Have you tried acupressure therapy?
Its acupuncture without the needles just fingertips.
There are websites online with good info and it is perfectly safe to perform on yourselves.
Or you can find a practitioner

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 30/06/2021 08:01

I was given it by my physio for tennis elbow. It made no difference whatsoever.