10 replies to this topic

[Deej]

I decided to start a new thread for this one instead of tagging onto the end of the 'grinding shoulders' topic.

I too have painful upper arms and trap muscles and am currently having physiotherapy which involves doing some exercises and heat massage, but the pain and occasional weakness when attempting certain movements does not seem to be getting any better. A friend of mine suggested acupuncture and my first thought was " Does that work with SCI?". Anyway I have done a bit of surfing the Net (as you do) and it looks like it might help, and not only that I found a few articles that suggest acupucture can help with muscle spasms, bladder and bowel function etc (excerpt below-)

.."Although the acupuncture is only an additional method of rehabilitation, it has a significantly positive influence on the status and function of circulatory, respiratory, urinary and digestive systems, metabolism, and psychological comfort of life. The acupuncture can bring pain relief and better condition of immune system. In addition, acupuncture is one of the best methods of treatment in spasticity, this disorder is responsible for serious difficulties in care and treatment. Spasticity is responsible for frequent such side effects, like: dysfunction of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, bed sores. contracures, pathological calcifications, etc."

[color=#000000] Anyway before going any further I thought I would ask if anyone out there has had any acupuncture since their injury and what were the results ? I would love to hear from you.

[Chilepepper]

Weather you hear any response back or not deej, it sounds like a good idea. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If there are positives to this procedure then you could be on to something and people that have sore joints might also try it.

[cvelusc]

Chilepepper, on Dec 11 2006, 06:22 PM, said:

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Ditto on CP's remark. Acupuncture was not effective for me, but for some reason may be for you. Best of luck.

[Deej]

Thanks guys! Sorry it has taken me a while to get back to you but I was hoping for some positive feedback from anyone who has had a good experience of acupuncture - anyway it looks like no-one has tried it but you cvelusc.

I am thinking I might give it a go - just trying to find someone who is good at it because I have to say needles aren't on my list of most favourite things in the world and there are too many 'quacks' about. I will certainly let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your replies.

[Chilepepper]

Deej, on Dec 18 2006, 04:34 PM, said:

Thanks guys! Sorry it has taken me a while to get back to you but I was hoping for some positive feedback from anyone who has had a good experience of acupuncture - anyway it looks like no-one has tried it but you cvelusc.

I am thinking I might give it a go - just trying to find someone who is good at it because I have to say needles aren't on my list of most favourite things in the world and there are too many 'quacks' about. I will certainly let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your replies.

The best way to go about finding a reparable acupuncturist, is get in contact with your local health food store or chiropractor. They would be able to give you some names as to who would be good.

[Deej]

Thanks Chilepepper, I'll certainly try that !

[slipperyleprechaun]

dear julie,

i've been doing acupuncture once a week for 6 months and would recommend it. my standing balance has improved, but it has mostly reduced the knee/leg/foot pain i used to self-medicate with red wine. the pain/heat was incredible. i have been off baclofen & on a regiment of Chinese herbs, and am seeing continued progress (stairs, better walking) ever since acupuncture began and can honestly say that only after a long workout do i notice any pain/burning. i pay $80 for a 90 minute treatment.

yours,

mike

[Lucky]

I had acupuncture, cupping and massage for a while but as I was on pain-killers and other things, I never knew what was doing what. It never did any harm though. Wasn't very cheap either.

[bensinjury]

we have been doing accupuncture since Ben got out of the hosp in Nov of 2006...we were going 2 times a week and starting in Feb went down to 1 time a week, we believe that it has realy helped him, when he began the accupuncture treatments he was in a wheelchair, the accupuncturist that we went t told us he was sure that he would be "out of the chair by Christmas, and he was!!! He has now been walking with a cain and sems to be getting stronger everyday...we continue to do the accupuncture as well as go to a fitness center 4-5 times a week, we also use essential oils. I believe that everything we are doing is getting things moving along...i am always open for new suggestions as well. But Definatly believe in the accupuncture.

[lovinghim]

while my boyfreind was staying down with me last week i took him tomy docters because he had a bad chest, while we were there i mentioned that he had a pain in his shoulder that had been bothering him for a great number of years, so much so that he didnt really use his arm much and he couldnt grip very well with his hand because he could not close his hand very well due to the pain
that day my doctor did acupuncture on his shoulder and he had instant relief and by the time we got home he could close his fist,,
he was so amazed that all the pain had gone and he could grip things,
its been a week now since the acupuncture and he sleeps better and can hold most thing,
even though he's so scared of needles he said that it was the best thing that happen. total relief and he would have it done again.
so acupuncture does work,
and my motto is try anything that can help you, so go for it

[edlee]

I am now, and always have been , a sceptic when it comes to claims by anyone outside established medicine ( by that I mean those without medical degrees) for cures/relief of distress. In the vast majority of cases one finds only hearsay evidence as to their usefulness.

On the other hand, I , myself , have benefitted from the use of chiropractics prior to my sci. In fact, I am now considering finding a chiropractor willing to work on me. My old one refuses due to inexperience. I guess I can't blame him, and, in fact, I respect him more because of it.

My advice would be to expect them to be ineffective. Make the practitioners prove their claims. That way, you won't be disappointed and you just may be pleasantly surprised, as I was once.

Anyway,,, good luck and keep us posted. We could all use some good news. ed