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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think acupuncture is pointless?

146 replies

beastlyslumber · 12/07/2021 18:58

It pains me to say I've been acupunctured today and lying there on the table with pins in my face for 20 minutes (then parting with 50 quid) all I could think was, god I am a gullible fool.

I'm not trying to needle anyone but really, what is the point?

OP posts:

DenbyChina · 12/07/2021 19:27

I have it for migraine and it’s brilliant. My acupuncturist also helped me with a back injury. It did take me three attempts to find some one who isn’t woo and slightly insane. Stick with it - it can be a lifesaver.

DeathByMascara · 12/07/2021 19:27

You are entitled to your opinion, but I would recommend it to anyone. Years ago I had spent several months with crippling back pain, could barely do more than shuffle & spent a fortune on 'conventional' cures which did absolutely nothing. Acupuncture was the only thing that made any difference, and it was nearly instantaneous.

TheFoundations · 12/07/2021 19:28

@Peppallama

I wonder how they found out little needles helped things. Someone fell on a hedgehog?

It took a very very very long time. It's a bit like saying 'I wonder how they first made a Victoria Sponge?', and then the first bit of the answer is 'Well, first, they discovered fire...'

Original poster

beastlyslumber · 12/07/2021 19:28

I’ve had it on the nhs. Not nearly as good as in proper Chinese-medicine establishments.

Maybe I just got a duff one.

OP posts:

Original poster

beastlyslumber · 12/07/2021 19:30

Maybe it is better for certain things than others? I have an autoimmune condition and am trying to relieve some of the symptoms of that. But sounds like many of you had it for pain relief.

OP posts:

Menora · 12/07/2021 19:31

I actually really like it and found it useful. I believe it doesn’t work for everyone though

Bksjshsbbev2737 · 12/07/2021 19:32

You won’t know immediately though surely? I don’t know yet if it’s helped with my migraines but I found it very relaxing

wonkylegs · 12/07/2021 19:32

I had it for pain relief alongside physio & drugs for my hip RA - it did give some albeit temporary relief. To be honest it gave me a short break from the horrendous pain cycle which I needed as it was constant and unrelenting and was breaking my will to live.

twoshedsjackson · 12/07/2021 19:33

I was dubious until I tried it for my frozen shoulder; previously treated by Western methods, (steroids) which took a while to work, the result with acupuncture was almost instantaneous; extraordinary.

TheFoundations · 12/07/2021 19:35

For anybody who thinks it's woo, here's the 'pamphlet' with the theory in it. 1184 pages. That just covers the basics. Published by Elsevier.

pinkcircustop · 12/07/2021 19:36

YANBU. It’s just a load of bollocks.

Totallydefeated · 12/07/2021 19:37

It can be very effective for many things.

If you have an auto immune condition, that didn’t develop overnight, so don’t expect to be cured overnight! It may take quite a few sessions to unwind things, but stick with it because the benefits can be huge.

Original poster

beastlyslumber · 12/07/2021 19:37

@Bksjshsbbev2737

You won’t know immediately though surely? I don’t know yet if it’s helped with my migraines but I found it very relaxing

No, this is true. I think I would have felt better about it if the practitioner had explained what she was doing or tell me about people with similar conditions she had helped. Hope you get some relief with your migraines. I used to get them often so I know how debilitating they can be.

OP posts:

TheFoundations · 12/07/2021 19:39

@beastlyslumber

Maybe it is better for certain things than others? I have an autoimmune condition and am trying to relieve some of the symptoms of that. But sounds like many of you had it for pain relief.

Pain is often caused by external things like sitting in the wrong chair a lot or staring at a screen too much.

Auto-immune things are deeper seated and more chronic. They're harder to reach. It might take a bit longer.

But the joy of Chinese Medicine is that it isn't better for one thing than another. Your auto immune condition may be affecting your sleep and your moods and your complexion and your hearing and making you always need a wee... it'll treat all of those things at once. You might have symptoms cured that you didn't even realise you had.

Redannie118 · 12/07/2021 19:39

Im on many many chronuc illness boards , do you want to know how many mondern prescription drugs are totally useless and do not work at all as pain relief for millions of people? Are they all woo and we are being fleeced?

LakieLady · 12/07/2021 19:40

I thought the same.

Then a friend who'd just completed his training offered to treat me for migraine, on the basis that I'd only pay him if it worked.

After one treatment, I went from having 2-3 attacks a week to one or two a month. He also did wonders for my back and neck problems.

It was bloody marvellous and I'd still be seeing him now if he hadn't moved 200+ miles away.

TheFoundations · 12/07/2021 19:42

@beastlyslumber

I think I would have felt better about it if the practitioner had explained what she was doing or tell me about people with similar conditions she had helped

I reckon this would hinder the effectiveness of your treatments. Can you find someone else? Someone you trust?

LubaLuca · 12/07/2021 19:43

I was offered it on the NHS, but as the therapist was about to start the first treatment she threw a strop and said there was no point if I wasn't going to believe in it. When it was arranged the week before I'd said I was a bit dubious but was willing to give anything a go. I must have been giving off some 'fuck acupuncture' body language on the day, although I was lying face with no trousers on, so God knows what happened there .

TheFoundations · 12/07/2021 19:45

Then a friend who'd just completed his training offered to treat me for migraine, on the basis that I'd only pay him if it worked

That's how they used to do it in China. You paid your doctor for regular treatments to keep you well. If you got ill, you stopped paying until you were better. Emphasis on staying well. Our emphasis is on stopping illness/symptoms. It's not the same.

Blueberry40 · 12/07/2021 19:45

I’ve heard it works for some people but sadly it did absolutely nothing at all for my frozen shoulder! Cost a fortune as well

Ninkanink · 12/07/2021 19:45

@Twickerhun

If it’s pointless the needles will not go in. (I’ll get my coat)

You beat me to the needle pun...

Totallydefeated · 12/07/2021 19:46

Totally with you on this! I’m always amazed at how the people who poo-poo things like acupuncture seem to have unwavering faith in pharmaceuticals that often have a very low efficacy rate with a shit ton of unwanted and often serious side effects.

Take many anti-depressants, as an example - efficacy rates often only a couple of % above placebo (even from the pharmaceutical companies own studies), with a side order of dependency, sexual dysfunction, obesity, diabetes ans a whole host of other unpleasant symptoms. Yet these are seen as respectable and things like acupuncture, with hardly any side effects and research showing efficacy are seen as ‘bollocks’. Baffling.

Torvean · 12/07/2021 19:48

I've had it on my knee and my back. It worked for me.

Ninkanink · 12/07/2021 19:48

@beastlyslumber I got too excited by the pun in the first answer (had only read title) so I’ve only just seen yours! Well done.

I’m very easily pleased.

Ninkanink · 12/07/2021 19:50

You are sharp

Ahhh that’s cheered me right up!

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