Quote:
Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower
I have a herniated disk, and I have done acupuncture to help. The typical acupuncture (small needles left in for a while) feels good and is relaxing and seems to help, but it is honestly hard to tell if I would feel different if I did not do it. But at the same time, she uses longer needles to release specific muscles (basically trick them into firing with the needle) and that definitely works. When I have had particularly bad back spasms, it is the only thing that actually gets my back muscles to loosen up a bit.
|
I also have used acupuncture for a disc issue (chronically bulging L5/S1 which causes steady pain and numbness in my right leg). It was the only thing that kept me from needing surgery last year. I went in unable to stand or lie flat and after two sessions two days in a row, I laid flat on my back with no pain for the first time in months. It was a total game-changer for me. I still do it once every 3-4 weeks for maintenance. As others have said:
1. It depends on the practitioner -- I have a great acupuncturist, but tried a couple of others with not as good results.
2. I don't know why it works. I don't need to know why it works.
3. It also made me more fertile, which wasn't something I was going for, but was a definite side-effect.
My acupuncturist also uses E-stim on me while I have the needles in and she does cupping. I also go to a chiropractor every few weeks. Since I've done the chiro and acupuncture tandem, I haven't had the chronic pain I had before treatment (unfortunately none of it has helped with my now numb right foot). Chiro is good for maintenance but couldn't get me out of the pain without acupuncture.
Linear Mode
