Acupuncture Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Acupuncture??? have a slipped disc and the physio has said that acupuncture is the next step forward. slightly scared because i'm not sure what the theory behind it is and not sure whether it will work. no fear of needles though so that's 1 less worry! anyone no anything about how it works or had any experiences with acupuncture?

Answer: hello mate. i'm a physio and acupuncture is something i use regularly as it is wonderful for reducing pain. something you probably have a lot of if your in a recent slipped disc situation.. try it, it works in the majority of people. The theory is either a western pain gate response (look up on google A beta fibre stimulation) ot traditional chinese method (TCM) which works on the concept of moving energy through the body.. Either way it is 90% effective in relieving acute pain IT IS NOT A CURE FOR A SLIPPED DISC, just to ease the pain. Make sure your physio is giving you extension exercises for your spine and strengthening exercises for your transverse abdominals (this is if you've a diagnosed slipped disc - i.e on MRI scan not because a doctor or physio has told you you do - they dont have xray vision and back pain can come from many injuries) Beast of luck

Question: Can acupuncture help tendons and ligaments in the knee heal faster? My knees have developed a chronic problem. After some research, I believe it might be tendonitis/tendonosis or ITBS. But without seeing a doctor, it could be anything including a tear in the lateral ligament or tendon. Would acupuncture be worth looking into? Has anyone been treated with acupuncture and can you give me some details as to what it accomplished for you?

Answer: Acupuncture can help to reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow to help speed recovery and reduce pain in cases of tendinitis, and idiopathic joint pain. It can help relax muscle tissue, allowing the muscle to heal and recover from spasms/over-use. If there is a major tear of ligament or tendon, acupuncture isn't going to cause the body to "sew" the tear back together. The body doesn't repair major tears that way, which is why there are surgical interventions. It would be worth looking into, however, you would be well advised to have a tear injury ruled out first.

Question: How effective is Acupuncture to heal a right shoulder pain ? I am seriously considering starting to have "acupuncture sessions". I am sick and tired of medicines (and even working out in the gym isn't helping). If you have gone through these sessions, can you tell me what exactly the needle in your body does in order to take away the pain ?

Answer: I guess it depends what is causing the shoulder pain determines if acupuncture will be good.. Acupuncture can work wonders if it's caused by muscle tension or muscle stiffness or by continuous mechanical strain.. ''through carring etc..'' and also if the pain comes from emotional stress..'' in other cases a chiropractor might be a better alternative.. if you can narrow it down if it's caused by any of the above.. then acupuncture will help. The Chinese know the best way to do acupuncture...so if you can see a Chinese this is an art that comes from China to apply acupuncture...instead of using medication. One modern scientific explanation of acupuncture that can help understand its effectiveness, is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These endorphins, cortisol, will either change the experience of pain or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s own internal regulating system. Some of these substances are 50 to 100 times more potent at pain relief than many prescription drugs. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, and promoting physical and emotional well-being.

Question: How does acupuncture help a stroke patien's immoblie left arm learn to be mobile again? I have a neighbour who had a stroke 8 months ago. He was admitted to a General hospital and was on western medication. At the same time he also received 2courses of Acupunctre treatment totalling 10 days of treatment. He stopped the acupuncture treatments when he was asked to take warfarin. Now that he is off Warfarin and is on Cardiprin, can be go for acupuncture?

Answer: I don't know. but if someone kept sticking me with a pin and telling me to move my arm................ I just might get THE POINT. HAR HAR HAR.

Question: Can acupuncture actually start labor, as anyone ever tried it? Can acupuncture actually start labor, as anyone ever tried it?

Answer: I know accupressure has been shown to start labor. My midwife recommended it for me to help get things going. This was with my last pregancy and literally within 8 hours I was going to the hospital and 2 hours after arriving, Jillian was born. I am currently 35 weeks and look forward to getting the okay again to use accupressure. There are several different spots to try. Good luck and congratulations

Question: How long does it take for acupuncture to induce labour? I'm 40+3 today and had some acupuncture to help induce labour. The woman said to be prepared for something to happen tonight or early morning. My friend had it done and sure enough she went into labour at 3am. Does anyone else have any positive news for me? Is it likely to happen or just as likely not to work? I had it done around 1pm today and it's now 6.30pm and I've had a few niggles but nothing serious.

Answer: We have an integrative medicine department at my hospital and they often try to stimulate or augment labor using acupuncture, and personally, I have never once seen it work. Good luck to you though!

Question: I had acupuncture 2 days ago and haven't been able to sleep since. What do you think is wrong? I have never not slept all night before and this is the second night. Only thing i did different is have acupuncture treatment for allergies. If I am stressed out about anything it would be my health.

Answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

Question: How does acupuncture work on sports injuries? I'm wondering mostly if it just masks the pain... I have what I think is a small tear on where the muscle attaches on the inside of my knee. I got acupuncture on it yesterday and it feels remarkably better. If it just masks the pain I don't want to make it worse... but the Chinese medicine woman I went to said to run all I want. How does it work? should I run if it feels good?

Answer: Whomever told you to "run all you want" is completely irresponsible and I am banging my hand against my head and sighing... I would take it easy for a while. Walk and see how that feels... Any reputable acupuncturist would encourage you to seek radiology/mri before telling you to "run all you want" if you indeed feel that you tore something. Acupuncture works in a variety of ways - the verdict is still out and no one really knows HOW it works - don't let anyone tell you anything differently. There are several valid explanations. My personal belief is that we are sending specific signals to our brain to stimulate healing in different parts of our bodies depending on where we put the needles. Our nervous system is very complex. Get a different acupuncturist - that is my best advice. A good herbal protocol will also help strengthen your sinews and muscles.

Question: How much does acupuncture actually improve your chances of getting pregnant? I am considering acupuncture with my next cycle of IVF, and would like to hear some success stories. Has this worked for anyone?

Answer: i have heard that acupuncture can help when trying to fall pregnant - my girl friend used it and fell pregnant within 2 months, but she wasnt on IVF. good luck!

Question: How good does acupuncture work for pain in my? I have pain in hips and lower back, I have had doctors check me tell me they cannot find a reason for it. I am wondering if acupuncture works for hip pain? Pain is a numbing pins and needles and then severe sweating from the pain and when it flares up I cannot walk.

Answer: yes acupuncture would help, however, you havent nailed the diagnosis yet... it could be rheumatic arthritis, or fibromayalglia, or some nerve damage, or something..... have you had your back MRI or scanned? you might also look up dr. ho in canada who has several things that might help with the pain including a hand held device that kills this kind of pain