|
News Feeds |
|
Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with acupuncture
|
Questions tagged with 'acupuncture' at Ask MetaFilter.
|
-
To poke or not to poke; that is the question.
To poke or not to poke; that is the question...poked with acupuncture needles, that is. I have a messed up back and neck from a fall in 2003 when I was in the Army, resulting in constant pain. The VA I go to outside Chicago just started up an acupuncture unit, and I was referred there by my pain clinic. When I was with the pain doctor we talked about stuff like rib mobilization (I have a separate upcoming appointment for this) and myofascial release, so I assumed this new acupuncture clinic was going to be less woo and more something physiological like dry needling (which I also have not had before).
My first appointment was today, though, and I'm not exactly confident. For the first round the doctor had me lie on my back and she placed needles on the inside of both of my Achilles tendons, the insides of both my knees, both my elbows, the backs of my hands near my pinky knuckle, and a single needle on the outside of my left foot. When she first stuck my right Achilles tendon my foot jerked as if I had banged a funny bone down there. Then she hooked up that needle and the two inner left leg needles to a TENS unit kind of thing and zapped those areas for ~10 minutes.
My first real misgivings started when she was setting up the above-mentioned needles. When I asked her what the needles would do she said that the points were channels connected to my organs and body parts and we were draining the pain energy through them. No, really.
The second round of needles was at the base of my skull and down my traps, none on my back, no TENS unit, for about 20 minutes.
Afterward she seemed honestly surprised that my neck didn't feel at least a little better, but acknowledged that this was the beginning of a long process.
So, balancing chakras and all that aside, and YANAD, how effective could this be? Was the needle that hit funny bone in my ankle a signal that this isn't exactly the best idea? I figure that at least the needles are sterile and I get travel pay for each of my appointments at the VA, and I'm really desperate for anything that might work, but don't want to bother if it's still just pixie dust.
-
Need good acupunturist in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan
Hi, Does anyone have current name and/or contact information for a good acupuncturist (with good bedside manner, and great knowledge of herbal medicine) in Brooklyn (Williamsburg area), or Lower Manhattan (adjacent to Brooklyn). There is a previous thread that mentions a few contact points, but it's 3-4 years old. Thanks, in advance!
-
Stick me with needles...
(Acupuncture filter) - So I made an appointment for acupuncture. Looking for stories, suggestions, and did it help you? I have muscle spasms in conjunction with spinal arthritis, and I am truly at my wits end. So I've decided to give acupuncture a try. I am not worried about it, I've had worse done I'm sure in comparison to tiny needles. I am just wondering if it has helped anyone else in a similar situation. The acupuncture itself will be confined to my arms, legs, feet and hands if that makes any difference (supposing its a particular style).
Thank you, and I appreciate any input.
-
Does acupuncture help you lose weight?
Does acupuncture help weight loss? If so, how does it work? Acupuncture always seems to be prescribed with a healthy dose of exercise and a strict diet regime. So how much of a role does the
acupuncture itself play in weight loss?
-
Pointed Questions
How do I choose a good acupuncturist? Let me start by saying I am a scientist -- I fully understand the controversy and possible mechanisms for acupuncture results. I am aiming for "first, do no (non-monetary) harm", second "determine it doesn't help me, to high certainty"
Is there accreditation for acupuncture? Is it best to see an old or a young practitioner? Someone dedicated to it, or someone who specializes in many alternative modalities? How much should I pay for an acupuncture session?
Stories of how you chose one practitioner over another would also be appreciated. I'm in Connecticut, this is for back pain.
|
|
News Feeds