Acupuncture - does it work?

[Ohnoredundo]

I've suffered terribly from anxiety since the birth of DS and I'm giving it a shot. Does anyone have any experiences positive or negative?

I had acupuncture to help with IVF and pregnancy niggles inc anxiety. It really helped, although I don't know how much of it is the acupuncture and how much is having someone nice listen to you IYKWIM. Definitely work a shot though imo.

I used to have regular acupuncture, for a variety of things - it definitely worked for a recurring stye that wouldn't go away with surgery or antibiotics, it helped with tension/headaches/migraine. It didn't help much with back problems (they needed structural help) or hepatitis (which needed antivirals), though it may have helped me cope with both!

I'm all for it, but not as a cure-all. Its supposed to be very good for regulating hormones, which may be related to your post natal anxiety....so definitely give it a shot. Good luck

Does it hurt?

I had acupuncture for sciatica; I had injured myself messing about with dh, and was in quite a bit of pain with it. A friend recommended a place in Camden, and they were superb tbh. I had three 30 min sessions, and haven't had a problem since.

I had acupuncture post miscarriage and was pregnant again within 4 months. Then I had extensive bleeding with that pregnancy and had acupuncture with that and result was DD. Of course I never had any positive proof that this was down to acupuncture - the outcome for both pregnancies could have been the same for all I know, but I swear it helped.

At the beginning of the year I suffered a spinal disc tear - agonisingly painful, horrible horrible neuropathic pain only slightly relieved by strong painkillers. After 2- 3 months of trying conventional physio, pills etc I went for acupuncture. It is no exagerration to say I came out of the room a different woman to the one who had gone in after the first session. I practically skipped out of there the pain was reduced so much. After 3 more sessions it was gone entirely and i have got my life back free from pain.

The other thing about acupuncture is that it REALLY relaxes you so if you are going to use it for anxiety I think it would work. Sometimes after a session I could barely get up off the couch as I was so relaxed and floaty and feeling slightly...ahem...stoned actually.

It doesn't hurt really - sometimes you will get a tingling/very mild shock type sensation in certain needles but my acupuncturist would always warn me and i always went off. The actual needles are incredibly fine too. Good luck!

I practice acupuncture with an interest in pregnancy and postnatal issues. It is definately worthwhile trying it for a few sessions - its very relaxing and the person you see may also be able to give you some anxiety management techniques.