Anyone have experience with acupuncture?

What ailments have you managed to resolve through acupuncture?

I haven't personally tried it, but my mother actually managed to drop about 33 pounds using acupuncture!😉
That's really all I can offer in terms of firsthand experience, so I apologize if that isn't much help...

A friend of mine actually dropped about 30 pounds using acupuncture;
as soon as she stopped the sessions, every single ounce came right back, and she ended up heavier than when she started.

My father dealt with a pinched nerve in his spine once. A specialist from an overseas clinic claimed she could fix him, so he went through about 15 different treatments.

It was useless.

After every single session, we’d tell ourselves, "Okay, maybe this next one will finally kick in, maybe Dad will be able to walk without pain, maybe..."

Nothing.

So, unfortunately, I have zero positive stories to share regarding acupuncture.

A few years back, my mother was struggling with a herniated disc—nerve compression, barely able to walk. We decided to try acupuncture. The practitioner wasn't even sure how much progress we’d see, noting she was quite light at only 110 pounds (I'm not sure if body weight actually impacts acupuncture efficacy or if that's just talk).
Anyway, she went through several sessions with him. No real shift in her condition, though some people claim acupuncture has a delayed effect. Then, she saw a specialist in the office next door for two nerve blocks. After two months of being bedridden and needing constant assistance, she finally stood up on her own feet.

If you ask me, it was the nerve blocks that did the heavy lifting, not the acupuncture... though I can't say for certain.

👋

Man, my pregnancy was a total nightmare because of these brutal morning sickness bouts—except they weren't just "morning" sickness, they lasted all damn day and night. I was puking non-stop and basically watching my weight just vanish into thin air. Since nothing the doctors gave me actually worked, I figured I’d try acupuncture as a last-ditch effort. Thank God I actually went (like, two or three times a week), because finally, the nausea started to chill out and I could actually start putting on some weight again. Honestly though, I was a true believer in the whole process, so I bet that placebo effect played a part too; if you don't actually buy into it, I doubt you're going to see much of a difference.
By the way, regarding losing weight, I've heard the same thing about people gaining it all back once they stop their treatment since that old appetite just comes roaring back.

Jose Gray5 said:Regarding weight loss, I’ve heard the same thing—once you stop the treatment, the weight comes right back because those old appetite patterns return.

That is essentially how it works.
Acupuncture suppresses the sensation of hunger.
A friend of mine lived on nothing but yogurt—just two servings a day—while she was undergoing acupuncture. She didn't feel hungry, so she managed it. Of course, you're going to lose weight if your entire diet consists of a little bit of yogurt.

As soon as she stopped the sessions, she went back to eating normally and, predictably, put the weight right back on.

However, I don't want to imply that acupuncture is completely useless.

It seems to me that it works on the subjective perception of pain. My view is that even if it doesn't provide a cure, it can influence a patient's sense of well-being—making them feel less pain, feeling easier, or suppressing hunger if they are trying to lose weight.

My father felt some relief during his first three or four treatments. His appetite had vanished due to his illness, but then it started returning; he also felt less pain and such. But...
It wasn't a cure. He just felt slightly better at the beginning.

At our local hospital near Chicago, they actually have a dedicated pain management clinic. It’s run by about four or five anesthesiologists from the main hospital. And honestly? A doctor can write you a referral for acupuncture without even blinking. My mom has been dealing with these brutal migraines for years—like, seriously bad ones where her whole body just freezes up from the pain, and she ends up stuck in neurology getting meds through an IV drip and all that stuff.

Anyway, she goes to that clinic for acupuncture roughly every ten months. She usually does a round of 10 sessions (every other day), and the headaches just... vanish. It's like they were never there. Even if one pops up, it’s so mild she doesn't even need a light painkiller. If ten months pass, sometimes she gets about eight headaches back, so she just repeats the whole cycle.

My girlfriend deals with similar headache issues too. She’s from a different state, but she managed to get a referral, so we’re gonna send her in for some needles. We'll see if it's just a placebo effect or whatever.

But man, I’d much rather go to a real doctor—specifically an anesthesiologist—than deal with some sketchy roadside healer with half-closed eyelids.

My mom actually lost 20 pounds once, but then she ended up gaining 35 back...
It’s pretty expensive, too, and you really need to have an incredible amount of willpower before you even bother starting; don't go into it thinking the process itself will give you the motivation... it's really just a little bit of help along the way.
That said, there are definitely people out there who have successfully used acupuncture to drop weight and actually keep it off...
And there are folks who have managed to quit smoking that way, too.

So, my elderly cousin—a guy who’s been chain-smoking since basically the dawn of time—actually quit smoking after just one acupuncture session (done right in the ear).
Once he felt that initial "drop" in his cravings, he went back for a second round, and he hasn't touched a cigarette in months.
The whole thing cost him about $75 per session.

So, I went to see this acupuncturist for my migraines—ten sessions back-to-back
Since then, things have actually improved. I haven't dealt with those brutal migraines that leave me vomiting, just the occasional headache, which is pretty rare for me now.
Is it all just in my head? Maybe. I didn't honestly expect anything to work, but hey, it did.

My mother-in-law has actually been finding some relief through acupuncture for those chronic headaches she deals with so often,
but I tried it myself—and honestly? It didn't do a single thing for me.

Ronald Jones9 said:What have you all managed to treat with acupuncture?

I have!

I use a painless acupuncture massager. I deal with low blood pressure, and it helps me get it back to a normal range.

Amy Fox97 said:I do!

I’ve been using this acupressure massager. My blood pressure tends to run low, and this thing really helps keep it steady.

Oh, I haven't heard of that one. If you don't mind me asking, what's the deal with it? I struggle with low blood pressure too. 😉

So, I finally hit up this GP who’s also licensed in acupuncture—totally legit setup.$0.00 The whole deal includes the initial consult and the wrap-up checkup, plus ten sessions spaced out every other day. I went in because my allergies were absolutely killing me. Ideally, I'd stick with it for about seven months and then just go back to my usual routine. But get this: he told me I shouldn't even think about another round of treatment for at least two years. We aren't there yet, but man, it's pricey. Plus, it’s a total pain in the neck because the clinic is in another city, which is 25 miles way too far for me to be driving back and forth. Good luck with everything!🙂

Gerald Patel62 said:I visited a GP who’s also a licensed acupuncturist—totally legit.$0.00 Between the sessions and those initial and final consultations, the cost adds up. I did 10 treatments, once every other day, to deal with my allergies. It worked wonders for about seven months before things went back to normal. He suggested waiting two years before starting again. That hasn't happened yet because it's just too expensive. Plus, it's impractical since the clinic is in another city, 25 miles quite a drive. Good luck!🙂

That really is overpriced. Honestly, you're better off just getting a device as a member for around $223 and you can treat yourself for life.

I'm actually using mine right now while I type this. 😎

Amy Fox97 said:That’s just plain overpriced. Honestly, you're better off paying for a membership at something like a high-end spa—maybe around $223—and just treating yourself indefinitely.

I'm actually using mine while I type this. 😎

I have a device for acupuncture too, though it isn't quite the same as actual needles—it's a different beast entirely.

Eric Brown3 said:I thought about using those for acupuncture too, but they aren't the same thing as actual needles. It's just not quite right.

What exactly are you using? Where did you pick them up?

Estée Lauder actually makes acupuncture devices! They go for just under $200. You can pick one up at their flagship store in Manhattan, their outlet near the Labor District, or I think they have a spot in the Downtown Center too.
http://www.zepter.com/main.php?lang=hr&conn=1

It’s been a lifesaver for my husband when he deals with muscle cramps and aches.

Amy Fox97 said:What is it? Where did you find it?

Exactly what was mentioned in the post above. 😉>

Amy Fox97 said:That price tag is just ridiculous. Honestly, you're better off just getting your own device through a membership at somewhere like Costco $223—then you can just run your own treatments whenever you want.

I’m actually using mine right now while I type this... 😎

You really are relentless, 😁 even though everyone knows that during actual acupuncture sessions, you're supposed to be lying there, totally relaxed, eyes closed, and not just hammering away at a keyboard... 🙄