Acupuncture...does it make anyone else's pain worse?

I tried accupuncture about ten years ago. Sometimes I'd feel better for a few hours, but it never had any lasting effect. But if it's making you feel worse, I'd say you should definitely stop it and get a new doctor if they won't listen to you, for sure!

Accupuncture was suggested to me about 13 years ago for a neck and shoulder injury. However, I had had an EMG about the same time that sent me through the roof. I was in pain and bruised everywhere they put the needles in. Accupuncture was described similar to an EMG but without the electricity so there was no way I was going to torture myself. My Rheum doc suggested I "rethink" accupuncture but I don't think so.

What doesn't work for some, may work for others. However, if you are in more pain after having it done and your doctor isn't listening, it's time to move on.

Good Luck.

My doctor just isn't listening to me. When I saw his PA, Gary, everything was fine. Gary listened to me. He understood me. Dr. Don just doesn't listen. He spends a grand total of ten minutes with each patient. They totally messed up my pain med script. I am supposed to get 120 to get me through a month, and for some reason, they only gave me 30. I am going to call them back this afternoon. I am seriously considering getting a new doctor. I can't handle someone who won't listen to me.

Ask your accupuncturist for accubeads and to teach you pressure points. Beads are painless, put in your ears, and you just press them when you hurt. Your ears have like millions of nerves in them.

Hi, I have a herniated disk in my back, I have tried acupunture twice, and despite my acupnturists great enthusiam about the possiblity of relief through the practice, each time has incresed my pain diretly following the appointment and the increase in pain, which is obvious and acute, lasts for a couple of days after. What the heck!?

I was in a traumatic accident, needing help with TBI & severe pain throughout my body, basically. Acupuncture was, and still is, my sweet relief. When the pain was most acute, for about 6 or 7 months, I went 3 times a week.
Now, I go more as-needed, but re-injured and returned and am getting treatment twice a week (for the past 3 weeks now). *The points are supposed to feel "strong", or a little painful, as those are the areas needing your body's attention most, and there are many points which may seem unrelated but actually tie into the same system you are treating (such as on the hands, feet, back of knees, ears, etc). Not sure exactly how acupuncture works, but this "getting the body's attention" thing makes sense to me and there are a number of theories, as research funding is just moving towards this practice and proving some really neat things (like fMRI imaging showing correlation between points and area of brain it should correspond to).
**Importantly, my acupuncturist says if you do not feel any sign of relief after two visits in a one week period, then it's time to try something else (perhaps another acupuncturist, if the first does not have good reviews/testimonials). I would recommend listening to the doctor, as he seems to have been following this protocol. So long as the acupuncture is done professionally, by someone well-trained and practiced/licensed, then I would trust the process and allow your body to work through its process and to let go of the fear that you might be getting worse, or harmed, as these reactions are very much normal. Be patient with yourself and try guided meditation specific to pain relief, maybe during a nice epsom soak, for pain relief as well <3.

I have not done acupuncture, but I do have an acupressure mat I lie on every night. I press into the areas that hurt and it really does relieve pain for me….it seeps right out of me. I would recommend anyone trying it. You can get the mat on Amazon. Many nights I am able to forgo the pain meds after I have used it…so worth the investment!
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