Acupuncture and UC

We tried tui nah and it didn't help. My daughter is too young for acupuncture. Different TCM docs will have different opinions on this. Some will just recommend herbs, some herbs and diet, some herbs,diet, acupuncture/tui nah/cupping. We tried 5 different TCM docs and none of them brought my daughter into remission but one came incredibly close. Before she got on this particular doc's med she was incredibly distended for two years and the day after she started the med, distention disappeared and (knock on wood) has not returned though she is no longer on it. Even though it didn't work for us, it has for others and I would definitely try it (do your research and try to find someone who has worked on AI diseases/IBD in the past, there are some who specialize especially if you're in Manhattan).

I am new to this type of treatment so yes it would be good to find someone who has experience with IBD. Thank you!

I tried accupunture, gave it my best shot.
I certainly didn't make things worse, I found it very soothing and nice. But alas, It didn't stop the flares, so I gave it up. I did help with the effects of prednisone though.
The acupuncturist I saw was an MD as well as a chinese doctor, he gave me herbs, and teas in addition to the accupunture treatments. He finally said "there's nothing more I can do for you, best of luck". He was honest and I did find the accupunture very relaxing and nice -not what I expected at all. There's no pain, it feels pretty great.
Give it a shot, some medical plans help pay for it, as an old chinese man once said to me -best of luck!

beatUC,

nice to know that you had an honest doctor. What type of teas and herbs did he recommend? How long of a commitment did you make to seeing him?

I am going to start tapering from 40mg of prednisone today (after 5 weeks) so having something to help with the side effects would be great. Since stress and hormones seem to influence the severity of my flares I am wondering if this may help in some respects.

Manhattanmama, you could try Slippery Elm & Licorice (which is good for the adrenals), buy loose leaf herbs, make a tea, I did this when tapering pred.

I tried it for my UC but it didn't do anything except cost me a heap of money. My hubby was going at the same time I was to treat his seasonal allergies and it worked a little for him.

I just spoke to an acupuncturist in my area who says that she has a lot of experience with people with Colitis and Crohns. She says that she treats with herbs, diet and acupuncture.

Are there other questions about her philosophy or treatment that I should be asking her?
What type of chinese herbs were recommended to you when you saw an acupuncturist.

These are the credentials she has at the end of her name: "L.Ac., MSTOM"

Killcolitis

I think she is from Brooklyn. She came highly recommended from a friend. I plan to speak to her on Monday and learn more about her approach to 'treating' colitis. So far I have not heard about people who have had success with it other than as a stress reliever or giving an overall sense of well-being. Still debating if the expense is worth it. Trying to keep my options open.

I'd go to someone who is also an MD in addition to their acupuncture credentials.
It was easy to find someone like that in my area, and as I said it was mostly paid for by my health insurance.

There are some that are MDs as well as chinese doctors/acupuncturists, as I said, I went to one.

I've had extensive history with acupuncture.
When all the MD's blew me off as an IBS patient I had no where else to turn.
I'm talking over 20 years of using TCM here folks.....
That being said, I got worse and it was no cure.

Sometimes you can find an acupuncture school and if you do, I'd recommend you see ONLY the professors.
Especially if they are Traditional Chinese Medical Doctors (TCMD's) and they were born and raised and trained
in China.
These folks know the most, in my experience, and they truly understand the medicine on a level that Americans just can't as
we were not weaned on it.
I also had my TCMD tell me recently that she can "help" me with symptom control, but that my case is so advanced (I also have Chronic Pancreatitis) that she can only help with pain control and relaxation and energy balancing.
Well, my insurance does not cover it and its 60 bucks a visit. so, that lasted a few months, once or twice a week until we totally ran out of money.
So, here I am, back at my GI's mercy. I'm doing OK, but sure wish there was a way to keep going with the acupuncture as it
is WONDERFUL for stress release and deep relaxation like nothing else I've ever tried. Even regular massage doesn't do the same
for me.
good luck.

I tried acupuncture for my flaring UC because acupuncture successfully cured a knee problem that traditional Western MD's could not help with (MRI's, XRays, etc).

Unfortunately acupuncture along with Chinese herbs did nothing for my UC. I used a Chinese doctor (the one who fixed my knee) for many sessions including needles, jars and smoke treatments. After that did nothing I also saw a Western chiropractor who was also an acupuncturist. No improvement.