Acupuncture

MorpheusMorpheus
in General

What are your experiences and or opinions with acupuncture? My Doctor referred me to an acupuncturist to treat my post chemo neuropathy. I’m unsure how I feel about it though. My neuropathy has improved since I’ve been seeing my acupuncturist but I’ve also been doing some exercises targeted at improving neuropathy and have made some lifestyle changes that I think are contributing to me feeling better. With all of the above happening, it’s hard to say how much acupuncture has actually helped me.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    Back when I was married, my wife wanted me to go for acupuncture for fertility issues. I resisted, because I don't really believe in it, but finally relented. Then it turned out that the acupuncturist said the fertility treatment only worked on women, not men, so the whole argument had been for nothing. I don't know if acupuncture works or not, but I could certainly understand the argument that it may be a placebo effect.

  • disneysamuraidisneysamurai

    I’ve done it a few times to deal with muscle pain and blood flow. The point of acupuncture is to spread out the pain to other parts of the body so it’s not as severe. I just prefer they don’t put the needles in my fingers or wrists

  • ladybug7ladybug7

    @Morpheus first of all congrats on finishing chemo. That could not have been easy. Have you thought about conducting an experiment and leaving the acupuncture out to see if it is accomplishing it's goal? I'm sure the idea of going backwards in any recovery for even a moment in time seems frightening, it might be worth it to discover what works best for you. Good luck and honestly, if it's not incredibly expensive or painful and you are starting to feel better... Its not harmful so🤷🏼‍♀️

  • southernsamsouthernsam

    @Morpheus , I just had session number 5 yesterday. They told me it takes 6 to 1o treatments for the best results. I am also doing it for my chemo side effects. I wish you well.
    Stay positive.

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    I am on session 8 I think. They said it would take 10 sessions. Ironically @WriterGF said placebo affect, I keep saying I’m not sure if it’s working or if I’m experiencing a placebo affect. @ladybug7 thank you, chemo was absolutely horrible. As far as conducting an experiment, as long as my insurance is paying for it, I’m gonna keep going lol @southernsam good luck, you stay positive as well.

  • Nick8675309Nick8675309

    @Morpheus - I’ll echo other comments in celebrating the end of chemo.

    For the past 5 years or so I’ve been looking into bridging Western and Eastern medicine. (The reason why is a much longer story). I ended up tearing my right calf muscle in a soccer accident, something inside me told me to seek acupuncture treatment, which I had never even considered before.

    Long story short, had a handful of sessions that lasted about 90 min each. Dramatic improvement after the first session and that just continued. What could have put me out for months only ended up lasting just weeks.

    I haven’t had a reason to go back. And I’ll not say a discouraging word about the treatment. I don’t have to understand everything in order to be open to it.

    I wish you continued health.

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne
    edited August 2025

    @Morpheus
    I really do hope you’re doing well, and glad to read that you’re doing better after chemo?
    I’ve never tried acupuncture but was tempted to for chronic pain and nerve damage.
    I guess it’s likely expensive and wouldn’t be covered by insurance.

  • ladybug7ladybug7

    When considering what it is, which is tiny triggers to your nervous system in different meridians of your body. I think it's completely reasonable that this is something they are recommending for neuropathy. If your insurance is covering it...chances are there is peer reviewed evidence it works. I wish this had been suggested to me post spinal surgery instead of gabapentin. Now, I'm not sure if I will ever be able to get off it. They didn't properly explain what would happen if I started taking it and it seemed at the time a better trade off to the narcotics that were "addictive" smh if I miss one pill... I'm in a bad way. I start sweating, feeling like my skin is crawling and all sorts of crazy things. If you can avoid taking meds for neuropathy I say do anything possible. If you do have to eventually do it. Proceed with caution and the knowledge no one gave me. All of you who survived such an awful illness congratulations seriously... You are warriors. It takes a lot of strength.

  • Ironman294Ironman294

    If the person is a legit acupuncturist then yes acupuncture will work in most cases. I would go to see one but as soon as needles go in my skin starts getting slightly puffy.

  • SlimBrown62SlimBrown62

    A blue cross rep who handled claims for my company told me she had severe back pain for years. Chiropractors and all the conventional medical treatments did not work. Out of pure desperation she tried acupuncture and it worked.

    Everything is relative as everyone’s body is different and the skills of each medical professional is different.

  • CuddlesofcuddleCuddlesofcuddle

    My mom put me on acupuncture therapy when I was in 4th grade to help me lose weight. Too bad she didn't tell me to put down the fork and orange juice🍕🍝🍗🥢
    Sorry momma, ☺️

  • BiteSizeCuddlesBiteSizeCuddles

    I love a little acupuncture behind the ears or back of the shoulders anywhere there's that little bit of tension and I imagine it's a small bubble of stress that pops? I would recommend starting with smaller size needles if the pain or thought of needles worries you then again you could choose to not do it at all.

  • AMFAMF

    I have used acupuncture and it works for me. I went to a talk at a hospital and they recommended acupuncture for treating the side effects of cancer treatments.
    I find that acupuncture helps the healing process.

  • ecuddlebliss21ecuddlebliss21

    My Acupuncturist was a China College Professor of Acupuncture, and had taught in an USA college. Until he switched to Private Practice. This Acupuncturist have promptly resolved my back muscle issues ( a fall at home), Sinus Infections, and anxieties / loss of energy.
    Based on what this Professor had described of Acupuncture medicine - I have the serious impression that Acupuncture can eliminate those bunch of MD's overcharging the consumers, and our Healthcare Systems for every wasted visit.
    The downside of Acupuncture treatments is - the majority of healthcare insurance providers do NOT cover Acupuncture sessions.

    I was initially referred by a co-worker - who had fell from a six foot ladder at the workplace, and injured both her knees. My massaging her legs along with rotating the ice packs have ceased the pain and swellings, while waiting for the paramedics.
    I was surprised she had returned to work so soon as four weeks from the accident without a limp nor surgery. The hospital had referred her to this Acupuncturist for several sessions in the weeks time. Of course, she was informed that my assistance had initially helped preventing her from surgeries.

    So try Acupuncture for any health concerns. Then follow by a massage therapy if you can afford massages.

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    I had lunch locally with a friend today and somehow we got on subject of Acupuncture. And it was explained to me that they had 14 needles put in their forehead for treating Anxiety ! And they said it works!! Wow! 😲 I had no idea!

  • ecuddlebliss21ecuddlebliss21
    edited August 2025

    True. The Acupuncturists also inserted many needles backside, and leave for 25 minutes, then flip me facing up with many needles on the front side including the face and ears. I prefer the full works.
    Don't panic if your hands were feeling numb. You can still wiggle and close your fist to lessen the numbness. Then this numbness goes away after the needles are removed.
    It's a clothed sessions. I recommend gym shorts and sleeveless shirt.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    It seems that acupuncture could indeed have something to offer beyond a placebo effect. There is some evidence that it helps for

    chronic pain
    low-back pain
    knee osteoarthritis
    postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
    migraine
    tension-type headache
    cancer-related fatigue
    menopausal symptoms
    female infertility (additional to medical reproductive treatment)
    chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096522992500024X

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