Does Acupuncture work? Is it good for back pain? What about knee pain? What else do you treat? Do you think you could help me with trigeminal neuralgia pain? I’ve heard Acupuncture is good for infertility! Can you help me lose weight? This is a day, well an hour, in my life. I get emails, voice mails, text messages, you name it. It seems that after over 40 years of acupuncture being practiced in the US, millions of treatments, there are still so many Americans who feel like acupuncture is foreign, confusing, mysterious, even scary!
Does Acupuncture work?
After 13 years of practicing acupuncture, I know that there are certain problems that are almost guaranteed to be successfully treated with acupuncture, there are other syndromes that are more difficult to treat. The point being, I don’t always have an answer to whether or not it will work for you. Honestly, you just have to try it and find out. One treatment isn’t usually enough, plan on 4-6 at first and then, you’ll have a good idea of whether or not it’s the right therapy for you. I’ve treated thousands of patients since 2003, thousands, and I can’t tell you when or why acupuncture works or doesn’t. I can tell you that there are some syndromes that have better success rates than others, I’ve listed the 15 reasons to try acupuncture in this post, these are the syndromes that I have the most success with. If your particular issue isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try acupuncture, I’m simply trying to narrow it down.
Miraculous Success Story
I have quite a few “miracle” success stories but here’s one of my favorites. Years ago, a woman came into the clinic, she had never had acupuncture before, she had a random pain in her leg, below the knee, right in the muscle. She had been to 3 different Doctors, had an MRI, no one had an answer. The pain was severe, stabbing, localized, it was keeping her from going on walks and even preventing her from traveling, her favorite thing to do. This pain would occasionally turn to pins and needles, a little numbness, then back to stabbing pain. The Doctor’s offered pain medication, she tried it, but didn’t like the way it made her feel, plus, she had a history of digestive issues and pain meds were not a good idea for her. I told her that I had no idea whether or not it would work, we just went ahead and did her first treatment. After her first treatment, she said, “right now, the pain is gone, this is crazy!” She was almost crying. I informed her that it would likely come back , and not to panic if and when it does, she came back two days later to tell me that her pain was GONE. It hadn’t returned. Even I was shocked and in disbelief! After many years, this patient is still pain free.
On the flip side, I had a gentlemen come in for severe post shingles pain that was not resolving. I was sure that the acupuncture would help. He had 8 treatments in 2 weeks and it didn’t change at all. I was as disappointed as he was and again, I can’t tell you why it works at times and then not at others.
Why not try acupuncture first?
I suppose it’s like anything, I’ve know women who go in for a pitocin induction, to put them into labor, and the pitocin doesn’t work, I’ve known friends who have had knee replacements but still have chronic pain, back surgeries that end in more back surgeries. I guess that there is no guarantee for anything really, but the thing about acupuncture is that there’s really little to no risk! What I’ve struggled to understand for years is why Americans are so quick to try a strong medication, with terrible side effects and risks, quick to allow a surgeon to cut into their bodies, quick to do anything that seems quick, right? I don’t understand why we wouldn’t start with the non-invasive, no side effect option BEFORE we start creating harm. Why not acupuncture first?
15 Reasons to try Acupuncture
1. Knee Pain 2. PMS and painful periods 3. Anxiety 4. Depression 5. Asthma and chronic cough 6. Digestive issues and bloating, including nausea and IBS 7. GERD 8. Insomnia 9. Migraines and chronic headaches 10. Dental pain, post procedure or chronic 11. Neck and shoulder tension 12. TMJ 13. Tennis Elbow 14. ADHD 15. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Fear of Needles, does acupuncture hurt?
First of all, in the State of FL, anyone doing acupuncture has to be board certified and licensed by the FL Board of Health, we are licensed Physicians, Doctor’s of Oriental Medicine. These credentials help put you at ease, knowing that we are well trained, and safe.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Beyond the training and safety, however, there’s the big question, DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT??? Some people have a fear of needles. Honestly, I hate to hear people say, “it doesn’t hurt, you don’t even feel it!” This is not entirely true. The truth is that every person is different. I have patients who don’t feel it, it really doesn’t hurt them, but I have others, myself included, who are very sensitive and the needles are felt and it is a little scary, at first. This is where the specific practitioner comes in. I know practitioners who use a different needling style than I do. They needle deeper and they’re not as conscientious about each particular patient’s sensitivity level. I have been to acupuncturists who not only hurt me, but they just didn’t have a kind bed side manner, they didn’t seem concerned about my fears. This is a problem and a warning sign. If you go to a Licensed Acupuncture Physician, and they make you nervous, or they hurt you, find another practitioner, but don’t give up on this wonderful therapy!
Is Acupuncture Expensive?
Acupuncture can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. I run a community style clinic, meaning, I charge on a sliding scale, making acupuncture affordable for everyone in the community, not just the wealthy. It’s $20-45 a treatment, whatever you can afford. Other clinics charge upwards of $75 or $100, just for one treatment! Read more about community acupuncture in this post! I’m in Safety Harbor, FL, in the Tampa Bay area, but there are community clinics all over the US that are safe and affordable. Click here to find a community clinic near you.
I make scheduling an appointment so easy for you, just go to my website, Calm Community Acupuncture and you can schedule an appointment online.
The reality is that acupuncture works for the 15 reasons that I’ve listed, but it works for so much more!! It doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to be scary or painful. I’m so grateful to have found acupuncture, it has saved me from being plagued with panic attacks and mood swings, I wonder what it can save you from?