Acupuncture

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Angelita14

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My GP referred me for some acupuncture sessions. He thinks this may help with the facial spasms/droopage I experience. Well I've got my first appointment tomorrow. Anyone else tried this hippy stuff before? Did it help?
 
Angelita14

It might just help, I did not stay long enough to Finnish the session so honestly I cannot say.
 
Angelita14

No it was not because it was painful, I have a very high pain threshold from the drugs. The reason I did not stay is because my Grandmother died and I had to go back to Ireland.
 
No personal experience, but a colleague has acupuncture for her fibromyalgia. Swears by it.
Another friend is a body builder and martial artist - sustains many body strains and also finds acupuncture helps following a minor injury (ex. muscle strain).
Still not sure I would try it, but that is just me. If you do consider it, make sure the facility does not reuse needles (even if they claim to sterilize them) and check and double check credentials of the acupuncturist.
 
Technically I"m qualified to practice acupressure anywhere in Canada but I don't because I've discovered it is nothing more than a big placebo.

I used to be a big fan and went for regular acupuncture treatments and always felt better emotionally afterwards but that stopped after a while, despite being told that I was more "balanced" after the treatment.

I've since searched all sorts of scientific studies on acupuncture & in my opinion, despite the claims made there is no reason to think that it has any curative effects beyond a placebo effect.

The hospital, which is part of the NHS, issued two leaflets boasting about the efficacy of the ancient Chinese therapy, which involves inserting pins into pressure points on the body.

It claimed that acupuncture could treat a long list of ailments, ranging from gynaecological and urinary disorders to fertility issues, stress, depression, back pain, asthma and high blood pressure.

However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) consulted medical experts and found there was no robust evidence to back up the vast majority of the cures claimed.

It has ordered the hospital to withdraw the leaflets and to stop making claims for acupuncture that cannot be substantiated by good and independent evidence
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339968/Dont-claim-acupuncture-works-NHS-hospital-told-Institution-criticised-leaflets-bogus-claims-treatment.html

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

Acupuncture appeared to be safe but without clear evidence of benefit. The number of patients is too small to be certain whether acupuncture is effective for treatment of acute ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke.
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Acupuncture for acute stroke
 
I have been curious about acupuncture. My chiropractor does it and have thought about it before. Nothing to do with E, but thought it may help a little more than just my alignment.
 
Well I went and had it done and I'm going again tomorrow. It was okay. I had the pins mainly in my face and in my hand. I lay down for about 15 mins. There was no pain or blood. I'll keep up with it as I get it for free on the NHS. I want to give up smoking so I asked if it works for that and the acupuncturist said she hadn't had much success with it.

I think a lot of it is the placebo effect and tbh I dont think I'd pay for the treatment. I'll keep an open mind as some people swear by it. I think if you have a nervous system disorder I don't really see how it can help. I think it's better for more musco-skeletal disorders. Thanks for the replies everyone. If a miracle happens and I'm cured I'll let you know :D
 
I went for it almost 9 years ago to help to stop smoking it worked great I still do not smoke.
 
epileric said:
I've discovered it is nothing more than a big placebo.

I used to be a big fan and went for regular acupuncture treatments and always felt better emotionally afterwards.

I've since searched all sorts of scientific studies on acupuncture & in my opinion, despite the claims made there is no reason to think that it has any curative effects beyond a placebo effect.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree. This one paper sums it up nicely.
http://skepdic.com/acupuncture.html
 
Thanks for the link Aloha, it was an interesting read. I'm inclined to believe it's a placebo but hey ho, I'll give it a go.
 
Even placebos can help! Even if you know it's a placebo. The brain is kind of amazing that way.
 
Nakamova said:
Even placebos can help! Even if you know it's a placebo. The brain is kind of amazing that way.
Click to expand...

That's true but placebos are specific to things like pain or emotional issues like depression. I have to admit that I loved the feeling from the placebo effect of my first acupuncture treatment.

The placebo effect can often make us feel better but I think people often make the mistake of believing that placebo effect can cure illnesses and despite feeling better it does not cure the issue itself. A good example would be Steve Jobs of Apple computers who used various alternative treatments for his cancer & felt much better due to the placebo effect. Despite feeling better, since the placebo effect doesn't cure cancer it eventually did kill him.

I feel that is something we should all be aware of when dealing with the placebo effect.
 
epileric said:
. . .The placebo effect can often make us feel better but I think people often make the mistake of believing that placebo effect can cure illnesses and despite feeling better it does not cure the issue itself . . .
I feel that is something we should all be aware of when dealing with the placebo effect.
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Good point, epileric. BEING better and FEELING better can often be two entirely different things, and as you say this is extremely important to understand so that one doesn't forgo the more traditional and proven medical treatments.
But the mental impact of feeling better can go a long ways toward getting and being better: less depression, greater willingness to undergo uncomfortable but more proven traditional treatments, happier and less stressed, and willingness to adopt other healthy life choices that may lead toward not only feeling better but also being better.
 
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