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I’m doing it. Well, I’m having it done to me. It seems to be working. I am suffering with a bout of vertigo, which I won’t bother to describe except to say that it’s a form of misery that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and acupuncture coupled with chiropractic is definitely helping with it.
That would be my entire blog post except for this one little addendum:
Whoever said acupuncture doesn’t hurt was lying. It hurts. It’s not “my finger just fell off” hurts, but it’s more than “just a little pinch” hurts.
I’ll also add that when the acupuncturist was talking to me about acupuncture, basically giving me a sales pitch for it, he said, “It’s natural.”
I let that sink in for a minute and then said, “What’s natural about needles sticking out of me?”
He answered, “It’s been around for 5000 years.”
To which I answered, “That doesn’t make it natural.”
He really needs to refine his sales pitch. Or maybe not. I’m the one with needles sticking out of my ears and the top of my head.
Have you ever done acupuncture? Did it hurt? What you do think about alternative medical treatments?
68 Comments on “Acu-OUCH-puncture”
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As I’m not a fan of pills for your ills (does anyone ever read the warning labels? They’re a horror story looking for a place to happen!), so yeah, I’m a fan. Never tried being a pin cushion, though. NOT a fan of pain even in small doses. Good luck with it!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 5:49 am.
I’m with you on the pills. They can cause more harm than they fix.
I’m really wondering if acupuncture only hurts on me. Because I have that kind of luck.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:27 am.
It was suggested to New Guy last week that he try acupuncture to help with his pains but he isn’t keen on it. I will use medication if I need it and I will use vitamins or herbs if there’s no other practical treatment. An example of this was when I was using a vitamin b complex to help control the tics in my right eye.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:43 am.
No kidding! I didn’t know Vit B did that! Amazing. I don’t have any tics but now I’m wondering if I should up my daily B intake.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:28 am.
Vitamin B is actually really good for dealing with stress which was what had been causing my tics. I started on it because my doctor that I was seeing then was a lazy cow and wouldn’t treat it. I have had reiki done on me which was amazing and use crystals to help improve my metaphysical health. It’s a little out there but when you are regularly left drained and heading towards a nervous breakdown because you are taking on the emotional crap from another person, you need to do what you can to protect yourself.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:24 am.
It also makes your nails strong
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:14 pm.
I had no idea!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:53 pm.
Never had acupuncture, but have heard it works for many ailments. Hope it’s successful for you. I get needle sticks three times/week for dialysis for which they’ve given me lidocaine ointment to numb the area. It doesn’t work nearly so well as the one I used to get that Medicare no longer pays for. They use a very large needle, so I’m going to look into paying cash for the cream I like. My logic is if I’m going into this as a lifetime proposition, I should at least be comfortable. The dialysis itself doesn’t hurt. Maybe I’ll get a new kidney.,.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:48 am.
I sure hope you can find a way to make it hurt less. And I am truly hoping that you get a new kidney to make the dialysis unnecessary. Good thoughts are winging your way.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:32 am.
Oh, ick! I’m with you completely—pain free is the only way to do this.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:30 am.
I am not a fan of alternative medicine. There are some herbs and such that do work but there is no regulation of the industry so there’s no guarantee that you’re getting what you are paying for and , in fact, there have been many instances where tests have shown quite a staggering difference between the amount of an herb you thought you were getting and what’s actually in the bottle. (www.consumerlab.com) And herbs have side effects and interactions that you don’t always know about if you are taking them on your own (Mayo Clinic).
As far as alternative therapy goes, studies show that there is little if any benefit to most of them (www.cochrane.org). The claims most practitioners of alternative therapies make generally range from the almost plausible to the outright dangerous. Claiming that homeopathic medicine can cure cancer or other serious ilnesses and diseases is dangerous. Chiropractors make absurd claims regualarly as well. I’ve known people who were helped by chiropractors but I have a hard time trusting someone who claims that adjusting your joints can cure high blood pressure (www.csicop.com).
You have hit on one of my hot buttons. Sorry. There are many problems with conventional medicine but at least tests prove that their therapies actually work. I am a big believer in science and replicable, reputable testing. Those are things that alternative medicine rarely subjects itself to and, when it does, rarely passes the tests. I really do hope you get benefits from what you are doing but I won’t be doing simialrly any time soon.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:04 am.
Hey! Don’t apologize! Knowledge is power, and as a woman of Many Hot Buttons, I don’t begrudge anyone their hot button.
I will say that (good) chiropractic has changed my life, in only good ways. I have had almost nothing but bad, ‘make your life worse’ experiences with medical doctors. It’s why I wandered into alternative choices.
In fact, the reason I have vertigo (and tinnitus) in the first place is because of a pill a doctor prescribed for me. Thanks, Doc!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:34 am.
Wow. That is totally understandable. I have had good experiences with conventional medicine and looked into alternative medicine as a way to supplement it. I am bipolar with anxiety and I am living normally thanks to the wonders of conventional medicine. I found too many extraordinary claims with no evident to back them up in alt med and just couldn’t do it. Like I said though, I’ve known people who have had very good experiences with chiropractors and such. Just do your research on them and know your doctor and his qualifications! I’m glad you’re getting help though and that it’s making things better.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm.
I think your experience and my experience point out that it’s good to keep your ear to the ground and try whatever you think might work!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:53 pm.
Never tried it but curious. A skeptical friend just tried it last week and it cured her back pain.
I’m a fan of neuro muscular massage which cured my traveling back and neck stress. Now head isn’t tilted. Yeah massage!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:29 am.
I’ve done this too and had fantastic success—in fact, this is what I tried the first time vertigo attacked me. But he moved . . . and I’m trying to be brave about it.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:36 am.
I am a major fan of neuromuscular massage. It keeps my back from giving me trouble. I keep a regular appointment with mt therapist.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:18 am.
I have not tried it but had planned to. Now, maybe not . . .
I’m fairly open to alternative treatments. Mostly vitamins and such. I tried reflexology massage once when I pulled a muscle under my ribs while pregnant. That’s when they use pressure points on your feet to release other parts of the body. It worked. I was sold!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:42 am.
Please, try it! I have to know if it’s just me or not.
You’d be a guinea pig for a friend, wouldn’t you? Lori?
LORI? COME BACK HERE!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:37 am.
I believe in alternative medicine. Many many moons ago I used to be a licensed massage therapist. We learned many alternative therapies including reflexology and aromatherapy. I love the idea of healing without a perscription, but also understand there are times when one is needed. I have never tried accupuncture. My friends tried it to quit smokiing, but I can’t remember them saying that it hurt. And they continued smoking. I don’t mean to be a downer! Good luck, Claudia. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I know vertigo is no fun.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:31 am.
You are not a downer! I want to know everything I can.
But it’s just as I suspected. I’m a medical freak!!! Ha.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:38 am.
I’m sorry you’re suffering, I hope you’re better soon.
Yes I do accupuncture for my neck and back. No it should NOT hurt on entry and only during the point where they are adjusting the needle and at that time only slightly. I’ve felt discomfort when they light the incense at the ends of the needles, but it’s more of a pressure.
If you are feeling pain they either need to use thinner needles or you need a more experienced accupuncturist. Look for one that has gone to school specifically for Accupuncture, and ask how long.
A dr. can go to school for a two week seminar and say they are “licensed”. A real accupuncturist is in school for 4 years.
Hope you feel better soonest, and I will tell you the accupuncture worked for me.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:03 am.
To be fair to the guy, some needles hurt and others do not–and he says it’s because those hurtful spots are really under a lot of stress, sort of the vertigo hot spots.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:46 am.
I’ve never tried the acupuncture, but I know that stretching my back out does help. I don’t like chiropractors who think that they have to beat your back up and have a heavy touch with it. DH has been to enough chiropractors that we have figured out a system for the “home version”. Basically DH is tall enough to lift me up an dangle me so that my spine pops back in place. I also do all kinds of yoga inspired stretches. It works for me.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:15 am.
No, I agree. Chiro should not be rough. Ever.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:47 am.
I’m more of an alternative medicine than western medicine gal. Glad you’re getting some relief via acupuncture. I never tried it, but I wouldn’t be opposed.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:16 am.
All I can say is that between chiro and acu, it’s working. All the medical doctors had in their “kit” was to give me valium. Uh, can’t live my life in a valium haze!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:49 am.
DD1 suffers from BPP-Vertigo and I know it is no fun for her when it strikes. She has tried traditional medicine with little success. One of her friends is a massage therapist and this seems to be helping. Good luck with yours, I have seen how hard to function this can be for her.
DH throws his back out at least once a year. He needs heavy medication just to move. So I guess in our house we are a mix of traditional and alternative.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:31 am.
Honestly, having vertigo is AWFUL. At it’s worst and most vicious, you’re not able to function at all.
But enough said about that! We don’t want this blog to turn into a whine fest (and I can really jam a whine fest).
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:50 am.
Huge proponet for alternative medicine! My aunt is an acupuncturist(is that what it’s called??–so she’s stuck needles in all of us at some point. I’ve found that it depends on where the needle is with how much it hurts. Head and ears–hurt. Below the neck–not so bad.
When my dad was sick–we had a situation where Western medicine was no longer able to slow the skid of the cancer. It was very much looking like he wouldn’t make it to my sister’s wedding. My aunt flew up from Florida, and spent three weeks with my folks with a regimen of Chinese medicine (herbs) and accupuncture. His overall quality of life was much improved (which at that point was HUGE)–and he lived for another 8 months.
Overall, I think that conventional medicine and alternative medicine both have their place. I will say that in this particular case–the alternative medicine made his life better and slowed the inevitable result. That was the goal for us at that point.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:32 am.
Huh. Okay, so mine are all in my ears, sometimes the top of my head. The head ones, nothing to complain about. The ears? I wince. Glad to know I’m not that much of a weirdo!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:51 am.
I have never tried acupuncture for the same reason I have never gotten a tattoo…I’m not into pain, and I absolutely KNOW it would hurt. I got my ears pierced, and that’s it for me.
I went to a chiropractor for treatment following an accident…I was very disappointed. A friend of mine at work swears by them, but I guess the one I went to sucked at it. I was stiff when I went in, and was in pain when I left. I saw him 4 times and it was the same every time, so I didn’t go back. I loved the back roller thing that I lied on before he ‘adjusted’ me–I think they should have done that AFTER the ‘adjustment.’
I would much rather go to a massage therapist. I have gotten deep tissue massages that almost make you cry while you are getting it done, but you feel SO much better within an hour of being done–and I know I said I don’t like pain, but I’m actually always in pain. Sitting at a desk all day, you don’t realize how tight your neck, shoulders, arms and hands get. The deep tissue massage loosens all of those muscles up. You just have to drink a LOT of water to flush all of that out of your system when they’re done. I also like the hot stones–that gentle heat is awesome.
Good luck with your acupuncture–I hope it works for you, Claudia!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:32 am.
I think you lucked onto a bad chiropractor. The rolly thing? That’s after the adjustment. And you should feel, at worst, no different after an adjustment. At best, you feel instantly better. I think you were smart to ditch that guy! They can do you harm if they’re bad.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:54 am.
Yeah, this one did the rolly thing BEFORE the adjustment, then pulled and jerked my back and neck. I felt like I’d been in the wreck all over again….
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:18 pm.
Bad!! Bad chiro!! Go to one who’s been to the Palmer School. That’s the gold standard.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:54 pm.
I think alternative therapies and treatments are the bomb. Not that I ever use them, but I like the idea of them. I wish I had a reason to try acupuncture. Maybe I could go in and release some creative chi.
I don’t even know that that means.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:33 am.
LOL But it sounded way cool.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:54 am.
Energy medicine – that’s what acupunture is part of, and I love it. I have had it for years, no it is not supposed to hurt and if it does GET AWAY – that person doesn’t know what they are doing. I have had problems and pain removed by acupunture – unfortunately it will last a week and than you will definitely notice the difference between how you felt when you got it and when you need it.
I love energy medicine – acupunture, massage, even reiki. I find that if the energy channels in the body are opened you feel 1000% better.
I am a picky eater and don’t necessarily buy into certain “natural diet” things, like drinking aloe juice every day. But I do think that the more you increase certain vitamins in your body, you help your organs do their job and you feel much better (think about how one feels after a B shot).
I love aromatherapy and hydrotherapy (working water with the body, you can change your energy by running your hands up to your wrists under warm to hot water for 2 minutes and than shock the same area with ice cold – it can relieve stress, headaches, a shock your energy up). Don’t forget acupressure (reflexology) and even heat therapy (who doesn’t want a foot massage and a warm compress around your neck).
I think I trust doctors (though I will only visit one when I have a list of things or in case of a medical emergency) and modern medicine but there is an amazing world that is filled with history of natural healing (herbs, foods) energy healing (acupunture, massage) and just the “old wise woman” ways and my body tends to respond better to them.
I hope you get better whatever road you take. My husband had vertigo, thanks to his blood pressure medicine that the doctor switched him to – he then had to take a pill every day for a month (which he slept most of the time) to get back to normal. He was told that once it happened like it did, his chances of having it again now increased.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 11:00 am.
Yeah, this is my second round of vertigo. Yuck. It’s much improved so I’m not complaining. Much.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:24 pm.
There’s someone good in my area that I’ve heard through a few of my friends. I’ve considered going, but I haven’t as yet. My buddies did also say that it hurt…and also that they thought it was working.
Keep us posted! I then might be prodded (hah) to go myself.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
I haven’t been in a few weeks, but if/when I go again, I will provide a full report!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:24 pm.
I’m glad to hear it’s helping! I know that the vertigo was driving you nuts.
I’m so phobic about needles that I don’t know if I could do it. The pain wouldn’t bother me that much–I have a pretty high threshold of pain–but the sight of needles sticking out of me, or even the thought of it, would send me over the edge.
I’m with you–it’s not natural! But I’d try it if I were desperate. Well, if there were some way for me not to see the needles.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 12:13 pm.
You don’t see the needles, at least not in my case. They’re in my ears.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:25 pm.
I’ve never done it, and I highly doubt I ever will. I’m terrified of needles. Anything that punctures my skin is a no-go for me. I’m more of a massage therapy type of girl.
I’m glad to hear that it’s helping on you, though! And I agree with you. There’s nothing natural about needles sticking out of your body. Just because it’s been around for 5000 years doesn’t mean it’s natural.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 12:18 pm.
Ex–actly! Old does not equal natural!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
I’m sorry, Claudia – I’m having trouble taking you seriously with that needle sticking out of your head. *g*
I’ve never done acupuncture, but I’ve heard it can do some good things. But nope, not natural.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 1:03 pm.
LOL What? I’m distracting you? Come closer . . . closer . . .
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
I’m sorry you’re in pain! I’ve had acupuncture for sciatica. The needles were in my lower back. It didn’t hurt. Maybe it makes a difference where the needles are? Or maybe the pain from the sciatica was so overwhelming that the needles felt like nothing in comparison. I’ve recommended it to many people, and every time I’ve told them it didn’t hurt. I hope they don’t think I was lying! I wouldn’t call it natural either, by the way. But it did resolve my sciatica so I’m grateful for that. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 1:35 pm.
Based on the replies here today, I’m thinking that the location of the needles is the key. And let me add that they are super duper tiny! Itsy bitsy.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:27 pm.
I’ve never done it but my grandma used it to help with arthritis pain. She swore by how much it helped her and since she crocheted until she passed at 92 with severe arthritis I would have to agree.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 1:42 pm.
Wow. Inspiring story!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:28 pm.
I don´t think I would subject myself to such misery unless it was from a 5000 year old chinese guy with a strong handshake :Öþ
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:25 pm.
LOL The new guy they hired is Asian, can’t remember which country at the moment, but I’m eager to see what he can do.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
Do keep us updated and I hope you get well soon, now I think about it I don´t know if you can even get acupuncture in Reykjavík ;Ö)
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:20 pm.
Just checked, yes one can, but someone called Ríkharður Mar Jósafatsson (Richard Seagull Josephson Doctor of Oriental Medicine just doesn´t have a very good ring to it does it? :Ö)
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:23 pm.
I’ve some friends who have used acupuncture for various different reasons. I’m not sure if I’ll try it because the needle thing freaks me out, and I’m not even needle phobic.
I think that there are times when alternative medicines can be used, and I, also, think that being from nature doesn’t make things safe either. I want the science to back it up.
My grandma used to drink sauerkraut juice to treat her ulcers. The ulcers went away. The science backs it up. Although, she could have just juiced some cabbage. Cabbage juice is more effective at treating ulcers than meds with fewer side effects.
Then, there’s echinacea that so many people swear by to treat their colds. The science doesn’t back it up. It doesn’t help your cold, and it has some side effects that I try to avoid – diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, not mention a few more. Then, there’s the allergic reations because echinacea is related to ragweed. An Australian study of echinacea was halted when some of the participants died from anaphylactic shock after taking their echinacea. All the participants who died had ragweed allergies – cross allergic reaction. One of my sisters used to take echinacea until she realized that she was having allergic reactions to it because of her ragweed allergy.
As for the homeopathic remedies, most of them are mostly just water. However, they, also, add arsenic to many remedies I’ll pass on the poisoning.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:36 pm.
The thing about the needles, about anything we hate and run from, is when your life completely derails and you’re helpless, you’ll try anything. Even needles.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:05 pm.
I’m actually looking into acupuncture. It can’t be worse than laser or other forms of hair removal
Although the price is a bit much.
I believe in alternative medicine treatments to a certain points. Sometimes you just ultimately need medicine.
I was reading about Naturopaths yesterday. Interesting how mainstream they’re becoming.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:17 pm.
I wish there were some kind of medicine that could cure vertigo. Unfortunately, science hasn’t caught up to it.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:52 pm.
A good website to read is quackwatch.com.
My reaction to “It’s been around for 5000 years.” is do you mean you’ve have 5000 years to show this works and you can’t??
The thing about echinacea is without it your cold will last for seven days, but with it it only lasts for a week.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 4:22 pm.
I’ve never had any luck with echinacea. I’ve also had zero luck with the flu shot!
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:52 pm.
No, I’ve never tried acupuncture, and not sure I want to. I do understand about the vertigo, when in my mid-30s, I was going with my son to adventure park, and learned that I can no longer ride the swings, backward moving rides, roller coasters and such as it would bring on the vertigo. I would be fine went I went to bed, but during the night and the next morning, it was not a pretty picture with everything moving, swinging around. Would have been different if I had tied one on, but no….
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 5:32 pm.
Yeah, it’s not a whole lot of fun.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:53 pm.
My mom had it done. My brother, a doctor, sent her to a Chinese internist who had gone back to China to study it and who performed it as part of his practice. She did not say it hurt too bad, but it was not painless. And it worked for a while. It bothered her that it was not a cure, LOL. I think she felt for the hurt it should cure, not just alleviate.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 5:37 pm.
I like the way your mom thinks.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:53 pm.
I have considered acupuncture, especially the past few days of full on body pain, I just can’t get past the pincushion effect. I know, 5000 plus years and all that, still pincushion. Other alternative methods, I am all for them, just don’t poke me.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 5:37 pm.
In my case, it’s not very pincushion-y. They target the areas that are affected—or that’s what he said. The way I look at it, it’s less invasive than radiation or chemo. My whole body isn’t under assault.
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:55 pm.
That’s me you see running for the hills. I’m sorry, but of course it hurts. It’s a whole bunch of NEEDLES!!!
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 3:20 am.