Acupuncture? What can i expect?

[Josie3]

I hurt my back about 12 years ago, and despite repeatedly visiting physios and chiropractors etc the problem keeps returning, so i've booked an appointment with an acupuncturist in a couple of weeks time.
I've asked him to try (no expectations of anything but relief tbh) and sort my back, recharge my energy levels, and try to help with insomnia. I realise that it may take some time to look at all of this!
I was wondering if anyone can tell me how much pain to expect, if they have had there back done how many needles were used, and how many sessions before they saw an improvement in their condition? Plus if there is anything else you feel i need to know then please do!

Thanks

ok should have 'their' back done , not there!

I went to an acupuncturist as a last resort to try and help when I was at physically at rock bottom, 9 wks pg with a chest infection that I couldn't shift. Didn't have a clue of what to expect but was blown away by the results.

Most of the needles for my treatments were in the feets, toes & hands (I squirm relating this to you but at the time it seems perfectly normal!) but I assume that they would use different points for you. The needles are so fine - about a hair's width - that you really can barely feel anything. You'll feel the tiniest prick as the needle is inserted, the acupuncturist will then tweak the needle until you have a stronger sensation, e.g. I would feel an area about the size of a 2p piece around each needle. Some were very strong, some weaker, some would remain a constant sensation, others would gradually subside (rather like the volume on the radio being turned down really slowly without you noticing). Only very occasionally would the acupuncturist use a very potent point that would be more uncomfortable but I can honestly say that it was never painful.

Have a male friend who suffered a major shoulder injury having been knocked from his bike by a car and who was advised that he may never be able to climb again. However his physio suggested acupuncture and he never looked back .

Sorry to have gone on so long but hope that this might answer some of your questions. Do let us know how you get on

I didn't have my back done but had acupuncture several years ago for a problem that I had with my hand and neck.

I had about six or seven sessions, and each time the guy used about twenty to twenty five needles. They weren't only put into the area where the problem was, but into the area that the practitioner thought was blocked, and I ended up with them in my feet and legs as well as in my hands and at the top of my chest. He also put some into my ear lobe. He tweaked the needles a little bit until I could feel some sensation around them (it didn't hurt, I was just aware of them) and I was then left to relax for half an hour before the needles were taken out.

The needles were very fine and very sharp so didn't hurt at all when they went in, and they weren't uncomfortable when they were taken out. I did end up with bad bruising once or twice when the needles weren't taken out in the right way, though, which was painful.

I found I had some relief from the pain for a couple of hours afterwards, but it didn't help much more apart from that and after about seven sessions the practitioner told me that as it wasn't helping by then, it wasn't likely to help. If your practitioner is any good he or she will give you some idea of how long it will be before you either see some improvement or it becomes clear that it's not going to help.

josie, did you find your acupuncturist on recomendation? Also, should point out that when I said that my friend has "never looked back", I meant that he has been able to resume climbing as much as he ever did, not that he ended up with some permanent injury that prevented him from turning his head

friend of mine is having her upper back done at the moment, she's part way through a course and is swearing its working wonders for her, so hope yours does too have another friend who was treated for fertility issues and is now pregnant

That's brilliant! thanks WWE & RB. The acupuncturist said it would scratch a little going in and i may have an unpleasant sensation the first couple of times due to tenderness of areas - but i wanted to check (terribly cheeky i know!) he wasn't dumbing it down. I'm hoping that it'll be more effective than the other things i've tried because this will be a deeper treatment. I just walked in off the street - it's a clinic close to where i live, so no recommendations alas. He has been honest and said that if i'm not feeling any benefit after 3-4 sessions then it probably won't be worth continuing for my back.

Thanks Frizbee. It's good to know that it does work for some people

If he's telling you that, he sounds like a good'un. As said before, do let us know how you get on

oh i loved acupuncture

i went years back as a stab in the dark to help with repeated bouts of cystitis (was generally very run down physically). she took a long personal history, then said yes she could treat me for the cystitis but shed also like to treat me for depression. i was a bit as i didnt really think i was... but i tell you it was heaven, those sessions.

could well have been as much to do with taking time to care for myself and having space to lie quietly listening to relaxing jungle or waterfall background sounds and feel i was doing something positive, as it was to do with opening energy pathways and such like, but whatever it was, it was really really nice.

hope they help with your back