Accupuncture

[dawn217]

Has anyone tried accupuncture? I'm going on Sat. for the first time.

[dawn217]

don't waste money on acupuncture. went today and no relief.

[NOSOUP4U]

Hi Dawn,
Acupuncture takes time. I was in treatment for a month before my symptoms began to change, and two months before I started to see an improvement. This month, one year later, I am finally cutting back my treatments to once a month. Make sure your practitioner has experience with this condition, as that makes all the difference, I'm told. Don't throw in the towel, it took me a looong time to be able to relax and allow the process to work.
Good luck,
Karen

[rjyoon]

I tried accupuncture along with a significant diet change & Chinese herbs...and saw no difference in my symptoms. The accupuncturist was a specialist in women's health. She agreed that I had given it a fair trial, and so I quit. Would've been nice to have worked, but no such luck.

[rnewman]

Hi Dawn...

I agree with Karen, accupunture takes patience, time, and a good practitioner. Please read my post under "IC Diet" there was an accupuncture question.

Hope this helps...
Happy Holidays,
Rachel

[Ginny]

I did not have any relief from accupunture but accupressure helped. Ask if they can do some accupressure also.

Ginny

[Kim Schema]

Hi, Dawn!
I started Acpuncture at the end of August. As long as you keep an open mind it can be great. For the most part I have gone weekly up until now. I am getting ready to make my first three week stretch from it, so far the most I have been able to go is a week and a half. I have literally spent almost 1200.00 since I have started. BE PATIENT! It will pay off. Everyones body is differnt and responds at different rates. I felt the same way the first month. Then I had a severe attack. I left work early and went straight to see the Acpuncturist. By the time I left his office I could stand straight and walk without a problem. I was still in pain but I could see the hope!! My guy also strongly believes in Herbs. Which he grinds for me monthly. It is not something that you would want to sit and drink slowly. I actually mix mine with about 1 cup of Strawberry Gatorade. I can honestly say as long as I drink these herbs EVERY NIGHT, and stick to the acupunture I feel pretty good. I have also found that exercise has improved the ability for my body to work with the acpuncture.
It takes time, relax, be patient and open minded.

[yorkiegirl]

Acupuncture didn't help me at all--I went 2xweek for 6 months. It's just too much for some IC'ers to tolerate. Also, the acupuncturist doc gave me supplemental herbs which he insisted were just as important as the acupuncture itself. Each and every herb gave me a terrible flare because they were too strong, also. Of course, I couldn't get a refund for them because I had to open the bottle to take the first pill. So I spent a fortune for nothing. However . . . I have read that many IC patients get significant relief, so go figure. Give it a try, don't expect immediate results, and keep us posted as to your progress, ok? Best wishes! (p.s. after each acupuncture treatment, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and take a nice long nap!)

[purpleviolet]

Accupuncture ( 1 or 2 times a week ) for several months and Chinese herbs didn't help, but I think it may help some people. Maybe I've had IC too long and my meridians were blocked.

[Megs]

I did acupuncture 2 times a week for a month. it completely stopped my pelvic floor spasms, which was very nice. it didn't help to much with the IC, but i did notice a change with other problems i have. i recommend it, but have an open mind, and go to someone who really knows what they are doing and has a good educational background. good luck!

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

My PCP said that she went to a conference where it was said that acupuncture might help those with IC. Of course, my insurance would pay for a $30,000 interstim implant, but not for acupuncture. I didn't have extra money to pay for acupuncture out of pocket...especially if it wasn't a sure thing. Give it more than one visit, you might be surprised.

[MakinIT]

I used to see a woman who helped when Ihad horrible migranines. I remained friends with her partner, who kept her (the accupuncturist) abreast of my happenings. She kept insisiting I come in and she could help me. so I went into see her, a couple of times. The sessions were nice. They didn't overwhelm me, which was a worry to me. I had heard the QUI (chi) could get overbalanced and come all into your bladder, causing worse pain.

She did not prescribe any meds as she felt that was too strong for me. I enjoyed the treatments I've had and made more appointments. I manage to sleep, before she even gets all the needles in. One of the more "uncomfortable" issues is the two needles placed above my pubic bone. Then trying to find them later. Feel like Ineed a flag or something on those because they sorta blend into the hair.

I do completely relax, and my pulse goes way down to about 56 (normally about 66) I'm getting better with relaxation. You do have to do repeated treatments before any good occurs...She wants me in weekly but I can't afford it, especially since I also see a chiropractor. I alternate weekly chiro, and accupuncture, along with conventional treatments.

Tracey