Anyone ever try Chinese medicine (acupuncture/herbals)?
After struggling to improve my health for many years, I am now considering trying Chinese medicine. There has been much improvement since changing my diet and cleansing regimins, colonics, etc., but there still exists a host of problems related to imbalance of function between my liver, kidneys, prostate, bladder, and nerves. It has been extremely frustrating to say the least.
I suppose this would involve acupuncture and herbal treatments. A good friend of mine has been urging me to look into this as a possible solution, and she said it helped her immensely with her sinus conditons.
Thing is, I have limited funds and this would be a commitment of resources and time that I do not take lightly. Also I have had one acupuncture treatment once years ago, and it did absolutely nothing for me at the time.
But I was wondering if anyone had any stories to tell, positive or negative, about your experiences with Chinese medicine? I'd love to hear your story.
My husband had 3 sessions with an acupuncturist about 15 years ago for a chronic neck problem, but didn't see any change. It still bothers him off & on, but he's decided not so much that can't live with it.
I first went to an acupucturist practitioner following surgery as the result of a broken left wrist due to a serious accident almost 10 years ago. Because of the cast & the injury itself, I ended up with both a frozem shoulder & frozen fingers, not to mention a totally swelled-up arm. My orthopedist first sent me to a P.T. (which helped somewhat & which my insurance paid for).
On my own, I decided things weren't moving along fast enough, so I then tried eight sessions (over an almost 2 months period) of acupuncture from a practitioner who specializes in orthopedics & sports injuries, but I honestly couldn't see enough results (actually close to none) to continue on my own dime (insurance didn't cover) or time. After discontinuing acupuncture, about two months later the swelling finally totally went away & after spending hours every day working on my shoulders & fingers myself with "made-up" exercises, I finally got back to normal. This was the end of August; my acupuncture sessions were in early April through mid-May.
My other experience with acupuncture was this year with a knee sprain or strain. I thought I'd give acupuncture another shot as this time I was dealing with "pain" (with my wrist, there was virtually no pain following the surgery), so I had two extended sessions of an hour & a half each. As always, it was a pleasant experience, but, unfortunately, as soon as I got on the street, into the car, ALL the pain came back after each session. She suggested perhaps a third session would work, but frankly I was unwilling (considering my years' earlier experience, coupled with my husband's &, so far, this one, to spend another $95 to find out.
I started acupuncture a few months ago to stabilise my hormones and regulate my menstrual cycle, which was one BIG mess. It has helped me so much and i couldn't be happier. I know people who have had acupuncture to fix neck and back pains and it has helped them also.
For most things i don't think just one acupuncture session would help, but i suppose it depends what you want the acupuncture for. Like everything, it probably depends on the person performing the procedure. It's best to have the procedure done by somebody who has a good reputation. My acupuncturist actually lectures at university and i found out about her by word of mouth.
I agree with the last poster, that just one session will not make an awful lot of difference. Also, you can have an initial aggravation following a treatment that will settle down later.
Also, it depends on what kind of acupuncturist you went to see. There are different types around, one being MD's who practice purely medical style acupuncture or traditional acupuncturists, who practice according to the principles of TCM. Which one did you go and see?
Acupuncture is very effective for lots of things for lots of people, so should not be discounted at all.
Hmm, I actually cannot remember who did the one acupuncture treatment I had 4 years ago. It was at a spa in Florida. I remember he was not Chinese, he was a white guy who was studying Eastern medicine.
The place my friend recommends is the Pacific College. They have a school and a clinic here in NY and some other places. It is not that expensive ($60 initial acupuncture treatment, $40 after that) but if you also want an herbal consultation, that is another $25 plus I suppose the cost of the herbs too. So we are talking a sizeable commitment of cash here over a time period.
Anyway, I am still considering it, but would love to hear more stories if possible....Al
Lest anyone think either myself or my husband went to "M.D. acupuncturists", my husband went to an elderly acupuncturist/herbalist who had trained in China & had been practicing among my city's fairly large Chinese population for many years.
My acupuncturist was American born & trained at The Meiji College of Oriental Medicine in Berkeley, CA.
At any rate, I hope you find success however it happens in your quest for Good or even Better Health.
Does not that Pacific College offer low-rate sessions done by advanced students under supervision? Both acupuncture schools in my area offer a free first session, then $20 for additional acupuncture sessions. Of course, the herbal thing is available, but extra. If you're not dealing with licensed practitioners (& I'm assuming NY State does some form of licensing), those clinic fees seem quite high.
Yes, Pacific College does offer lower-rate sessions by advanced students. I wasn't sure however whether they were "monitored" or if so, what that even meant. Does that mean a L.A. is in the room with us, watching everything? If that is the case, I would definitely be comfortable with that, as it will save considerable money.
And yes, I do have a free coupon for the first acupuncture visit. I assumed it was with a student, and was not sure if it still meant I had to pay $60 for my "1st" session with the L.A. I really have to call them and ask all these questions, huh?.....
P.S. those clinic fees I mentioned ($60/$40) are indeed with the L.A. (Licensed Acupuncturist). Those fees are higher than the sessions with the students which are $25 (this is NYC so it is probably higher than where you).
[This message has been edited by RageOfAngels (edited 08-30-2003).]
I would say that the $60/$40 fee for a Licensed Acupuncturist session is "reasonable" (if you like that sort of thing).
The acupuncturist I consulted in the spring, as I mentioned, charges $95 an hour, up from $60 an hour when I went to her that other time several years ago. I'm guessing "clinic" prices might be lower because they might not offer the same amenities ---buckwheat (or maybe it was brown rice, whatever?) pillows & 17th century "abbey" type CD background music seemed to be popular where I went--- as in a "private" practice. In any event, I haven't heard of much below $75 a session around here.
I have found that Acupuncture is good for some things, not for others. I have never found it to be helpful for muscular type ailments.
Generally, I prefer Chinese boiling herbs, which I have been taking for many years for CFIDS and Thyroiditis. The Chinese methods are more subtle but you avoid the harmful (and oftentimes toxic) side effects of most drugs that are prescribed. More important, you are bringing your system into balance! Western medicine doesn't address this need, they simply treat symptoms which, because of the use of harmful drugs, often results in "unbalancing" the system. Chinese medicine treats the whole person.
Update: O.K., I decided to make an appointment with the Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine's clinic. It is tomorrow (Wednesday) in the afternoon. They said that it would last 2 hours, the 1st hour being the consultation where they talk to you about your problems and mdecial history, and then the next hour is to consist of the 1st of whatever treatment they think you need. I am looking forward to this new journey.
I am praying that God will use Chinese Medicine to do some good in my body, I certainly need it.
Thanks for everybody's input so far, it was valuable. I will let everyone know how tomorrow's session goes....
Cheers,
Al
[This message has been edited by RageOfAngels (edited 09-02-2003).]
I just started Chinese electrical acupunture today. I was always under the thought that I would be pierced with needles. But no, this chinese doctor ran an electrical current through 4 parts of my head and on my hand. This is to treat post nasal drip. Has anyone heard of this? Its all new to me.
Haven't heard of this. Sounds better than what I am experiencing though. The acupuncture so far has really hurt! I think I have always been ultra-sensitive to needles, and so I am having a hard time with it. I had my second session yesterday, and they also prescribed Peach Kernal Pills as an adjunct herbal therapy. Anyway, that is a quick update - I haven't really been enjoying it at all, but will try to continue with it for as long as possible to see if it can do any good.
Louise- Please let us know if this electrical acupuncture really helps you with your post nasal drip. I am suffering terribly from PND and am willing to try almost anything if it works!
Was wondering how the acupuncture was going and what exactly were the Peach Kernel Pills prescribed for.
I have heard that it is healthy to eat the kernels from certain fruits as it's supposed to help prevent cancer. People in certain countries have done this for centuries and swear by the health properties, especially apricot kernels.
I would have to say that so far, the acupuncture has not really been helping with what we are trying to get it to do, which is help me with chronic constipation which doesn't seem to respond to anything else. However, I have noticed a side benefit to the acupuncture, as it has greatly helped me with muscle spasms and twitches I was having. So for now I will continue.
That is what the peach kernal pills are for - constipation. They were working pretty well when I was on an all-raw foods diet for about 5 months, but since I have been adding a few other things back into the diet now, the pills have not been doing anything. They just added in another pill to work with the Run Chang Woan (Peach Kernal),called Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan. It has a whole variety of herbs in it including astragalus, so I am not sure exactly what the "english" name for it would be.
I will give this some more time....I missed an appointment recently because I was sick, and my acupuncturist was gone last week, so progress is slow. But if anything else significant develops, I will let you know.
I am so happy for you. I too have recently started acupuncture to try and get my cycles in order. I was just wondering, how long did it take to get your cycle regulated? I have been going to sessions for a month now and was wondering how long my wait might be.
I know that everyone is different, but hearing about another's success makes me more hopeful.
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audrey-B
I started acupuncture a few months ago to stabilise my hormones and regulate my menstrual cycle, which was one BIG mess. It has helped me so much and i couldn't be happier. I know people who have had acupuncture to fix neck and back pains and it has helped them also.
For most things i don't think just one acupuncture session would help, but i suppose it depends what you want the acupuncture for. Like everything, it probably depends on the person performing the procedure. It's best to have the procedure done by somebody who has a good reputation. My acupuncturist actually lectures at university and i found out about her by word of mouth.
Hi RageofAngels, I'm glad you have decided to continue acupuncure ,it shows that you have the patience to see results.One thing I'd like to mention is how it took years for your body to be where it is today(constipation,etc...),and it will take years to get your body to be what you want .That's the facts.There are so many variables ,people heal at different rates for one,also the treatment might not match the ailment .Have you ever tried Shiastu , Jin Shin Do(a form of acupressure which uses bodyfocusing,deep awareness techniques,and The Five Elements approach to practice) , Active Release,Tui Na,Thai Massage,Hawaiian Huna work,Feldenkrais,or Ayurveda.Look into these treatments ,you will be surprised.I think something a bit more hands on,like Shiatsu or Jin Shin Do would help regulate your large intestine issues.I find Acupunture works best when you have a acute issue rather than a chronic one like yours.Acupressure is the way to go I think.Another thing ,when you go to the schools or anywhere else for a session,talk to your acupuncturist about trying it in the Five Elements style of treatment.They will know what you mean ,it works more with the emotions (on an energy level)and this can have great effects on the physical body.To the last poster ,you need to go to a good herbalist,there are many herbs to promote regularity eppermint,wood sorrel,thyme,strawberry,valerian root,black cohosh,rosemary,squaw mint,white willow (use the bark in teas),etc....Good luck.
Hmm, interesting, I will look into the issue of acupressure. It is very possible that they can do it where I now go. I will also ask them about the Five Elements style.
They actually ask me alot about my emotions when I go there each week, but I always let them know that I am doing work all the time with those as well, as I see a counselor weekly, listen to alot of Biblical teaching on the radio, and do alot of journaling, which has helped amazingly to release all kinds of past anger and other stuff that I didn't even know was there.
So I would agree that healing is a holistic thing, it emcompasses alot of avenues and aspects of your person (sorry to sound so New Age-y).
The acupuncture people are actually quite impressed that I am slogging it out week after week, as they know I do not particularly enjoy the needles, nor do I see any overnight results. But you are right, my health has been a mess for many years, so I am seeing results, but it has been taking time (years actually), effort, lots of prayer and grace, blood, sweat, and tears (not the rock group!), and patience. Sometimes I am pulling my hair out and think I am going to lose my mind, but it is either keep going and get better or crawl up into a ball and go back to my old bad habits. I am not much one for going backward these days, which in itself is another health improvement!
Anyone ever try Chinese medicine (acupuncture/herbals)? 
Audrey B-One more question 
eppermint,wood sorrel,thyme,strawberry,valerian root,black cohosh,rosemary,squaw mint,white willow (use the bark in teas),etc....Good luck.
