Accupuncture

Hi Ericapeace2000,
I have been going to an acupuncturist for about 6 times now. I think acupuncture helps me greatly. I wish I can relax a bit more. I still don't like the needles. I would love to go every 2 weeks but my benefit plan only pays about once a month. My acupuncturist also is a massage therapist so she gives me a massage at the end of the session as well. My appointment is about an hour every time.

I'd paid out of pocket for a 8 week acupuncture treatment last summer. In my case, I used to feel relief immediately after the treatment for a few hours - but the symptoms would return pretty much the next day. However, it helped in getting the body to stabilize in general.

There have been studies done where they've found that the transient relaxations of LES reduce while one is getting the acupuncture treatment.
ajpgi.physiology.org/content/early/2005/04/14/ajpgi.00023.2005.full.pdf

Plus there are some other studies that were done as well:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17875198?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

I am a supporter of acupuncture. Acupuncture has helped me many times. It is the one of the things I can notice a difference before and after receiving it. For those who don't like needles, you can try "acupressure". Pressing and gently massaging the points with a finger or a stick has the same effect and you can self-administer at anytime.

I've just started a course, only had 2 treatments so far. The practitioner has found a "blockage" (energy wise) relating to the small intestine in my case. I haven't felt any change as yet but I've been away (diet harder to control, bed not inclined etc) so had a challenging week. I found some very positive studies relating to acupuncture - may have already posted a link - in particular there is a small study comparing doubling PPI dose or adding in acupuncture. The acupuncture group came off best and didn't relapse.

I'll post again when I've had a few more treatments.

MMM

I always find it interesting after she treats my various GI issues that I get numbness where the gallbladder was. It last for 3 or 4 days after acupuncture. Must do something!