I'm Holier Than You! (Acupuncture)

Member Name: wearsidelass

Product:	Acupuncture
Date:	22/09/04 (1573 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can relieve pain

Disadvantages: Be prepared that it may not work for you

Some of you who have read my earlier reviews will know that I have suffered during the past 18 months with “cluster headaches” and believe me they are really painful. An “ordinary” migraine can last up to 3 days and I have tried various alternative therapies, some of have helped more than others.

About a month ago I had to go to the doctors because I was suffering from a severe migraine and he asked me if I would like to try acupuncture. I told him I would be willing to try this and so a course of 4 sessions was arranged.

Yesterday was my first session and I really didn’t know what to expect. The senior practitioner was the only person qualified to carry out the procedure and, as I hadn’t been to see him previously about my headaches, he wanted to know all about them and the various treatments I had received.

He asked to take my shoes off and lie on the bed. I did joke with the doctor that had I known he was going to be putting needles in my feet then I would have gone home and washed them! (As it happened, I had gone to the surgery straight from work – the things I do to get off work early!).

I had been a little bit worried about the needles being sterile but was assured that they were – each needle was located in a separate sterile packing.

The doctor unwrapped the first needle and put it into the side of my neck. It felt just like a pin prick, another needle placed on the other side of my neck. Then a needle on either side of my temples, one at the top of my nose (between the eyebrow area) and two on the top of my head. Not too bad, only just like pin pricks.

Then he put needles on either side of the fleshy parts of my ankles (4 needles and making a total of 11 needles in my body). He then checked all needles were in place and told me he was just going to move one of the needles to check that I could feel them. He moved one of the ankle needles and an electric shock wave went straight up through my body. I actually gave a yelp because I had been quite stunned – I hadn’t expected this sensation. He said “yes, it’s working” and told me to rest and he would come back and check me.

As you can imagine, I was scared stiff to even move! I just didn’t want the reoccurrence of that sensation. After 15 minutes he came back to check me, felt one of the needles and told me I was cooking well! Another 15 minutes and he came back to take the needles out which was thankfully painless.

He patted my arm and told me not to expect miracles that acupuncture takes time to work and that he would see me next week.

I asked him how it actually worked and was told that it is the stimulation of specific points in our bodies which our located near or even on the surface of the skin. These points can then alter the physical and biochemical conditions to achieve the necessary healing.

As most of us are aware, the Eastern cultures use this method frequently and believe that the energy channels – also known as “Qi” – run in regular patterns throughout our bodies and also on the surface. These are called meridians and are akin to rivers which flow through the body to nourish and water all our body tissues. If there is an obstruction in this flow then, in effect, a type of blockage or dam can build up which in turn causes pain and imbalance. The acupuncture works by stimulating the points to unblock any of the obstructions thereby creating a normal “river” flow.

If you think about it then it does make sense.

As soon as I got into my car I looked in the mirror and could see the points where the needles had been inserted – they looked red – but after about an hour they had disappeared. A couple of times later that night I had a tingling sensation go through my head and I can only assume this was a result of the treatment.

The reason why I received the electric shock is probably because the acupuncture points are areas of electrical sensitivity so by putting the needles in these points stimulate our receptors and nerves which transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system which is located at the base of our brain. These hypothalamic-pituitary glands release neurotransmitters and endorphins which are the body’s natural painkilling hormones.

Lots of people believe that acupuncture works for them – the body becomes relaxed and serotonin is regulated and this form of therapy is being used to treat depression. I know someone who is having this treatment for back pains but they are actually paying for the treatment – I believe about £25 per session.

I consider myself lucky because I am receiving my treatment via the NHS system and will certainly attend the next three sessions. I don’t expect a miracle cure but if this helps to stop the number of headaches then it will have been worth it.

I will update you on my progress when my course is finished.


I have rated this with 3* as I haven't finished the course yet.

UPDATE 6 OCTOBER 2004
======================
I promised to let you know about my opinion on acupuncture.

Last Tuesday I received my 2nd session. On arrival at the surgery, my doctor hastily put me into what I can only describe as a cupboard with a bed in it. I had to wait about 5 minutes before he put the needles in. This hurt like hell this time. He was obviously having a bad day and had lots of patients to see and he really stabbed the needles into my head and ankles. It was quite painful and I told him it hurt to which he replied that it was a treatment and it obviously could hurt! He really didn't have any good bedside manner last week! He went out of the room to continue his surgery. I wished I could say that I had been left in peace but this was not so. The needles were quite painful in my head and I really wanted to pull them out and walk out but I didn't dare! I tried to calm myself and tried to lapse into a semi-sleep state but the noise of doors banging constantly (several doctors in the health centre) and voices of people going in and out of the rooms just wouldn't let this happen. My doctor did pop in after 15 minutes to check on the needles but popped back out as quickly as he had popped in.

30 minutes later he came and took the needles out which was a great relief. However, one of the needles which he had placed on the high part of my cheek bone caused some bleeding and he had to give me a tissue to press against my face to stop the bleeding. He told me that I should go once the bleeding stopped and he would see me next week and away he vanished!

I left the surgery holding the tissue and had a look at it when I got into my car. The bleeding had stopped, it wasn't that much really.

However, the tea lady at work (who has been on several alternative therapy courses including acupuncture - she cannot do acupuncture but she knows all about it) asked me the following questions on Monday:-

** Did he tell you that you shouldn't drive after your acupuncture session because the treatment can cause dizziness?

NOPE

** Did he advise you to lie down as soon as you arrived home and to relax for at least half an hour?

NOPE

** Did he tell you to drink plenty of water after the session?

NOPE

** Did he tell you that you shouldn't drink any caffeine after the treatment?

NOPE

Our tea lady told me more than my doctor had!

Over the course of the following week the sides of my cheeks continued to be quite sore. You know what I mean - when you are sitting and put your elbow on the table (or whatever) and then put your hand resting on your cheekbone - well, I couldn't do it because it was sore.

So, yesterday I was due to have my 3rd session but to be perfectly honest I couldn't face it. My cheekbones still felt sore and I had also had two raging headaches in the last week and I didn't think it was working for me.

I phoned the surgery yesterday morning and asked the receptionist to cancel my last two sessions. She told me I should finish the course of 4 sessions so that it could take effect.

I said to her "my face is still sore 7 days after my last session which was quite painful - would you want him to stick needles in your face". I will cancel your sessions, she meekly said.

The other thing I have noticed, and I really do not know if it is linked with this treatment, but my left knee is absolutely killing me. It is quite painful at times - very stiff. I haven't knocked it and I don't why it has happened. It could be pure coincidence.

One of my other work colleagues used to work for a Japanese company and her Japanese boss regularly received acupuncture treatment and it worked for him. She told me that bleeding should never occur from this treatment.

I am now of the opinion that last week my doctor had a bad day and I don't think he put the needles into the correct pressure points - he put them into different places than the first session.

I am also of the opinion that had I been receiving treatment privately through an alternative therapy practice (paying for it) then the treatment would have been better. I had heard there is a calming and relaxing atmosphere and that the staff in the establishment visited by my work colleague were absolutely wonderful and pampered the client.

Doesn't this say something for our NHS?

Yes, the treatment was free but I really felt last week that I was an irritation to my doctor - he had lots of patients to see and had to interrupt his practice to check on little old me!

I can only say that I won't be having this treatment again - either NHS or privately.

That is not to say that it won't work for you - I know people who guarantee that it works for them.

All I can say is that you must try it for yourself.

Summary: