My PT told me the other day that I should try Acupuncture. Has anyone tried it before? Does it help? I'm so scared to try anything new right now esp after my visit to Chiropractor last August. I truly believe the chiropractic adjustments triggered me to have this FM... Please let me know what you think of Acupuncture. Thanks :)

My chiro also does acupuncture and it helps me alot. My biggest problem is getting there when I feel bad. On a really bad day when I know it would help me..I can't get out of the door with my two kids to go get treated. But it does help when I get there. It seems like the fibro knots just melt away when she sticks the needles in me.

- FF

Are you getting Chiropractic treatment also? That's great it works for you! I'm still looking for what works for me. Chiro didn't work for me - it made me so much worse, and I'm a little scared to try acupuncture.

I totally understand how exhausting we get just to get out of the house. I have a small child also and it's rough. By dinner time, my body tells me to go lie down and do nothing anymore...

I get acupuncture regularly and it is the only thing that has relieved my pain. It is a temporary solution, but hey, I'll take what I can get! There is no reason to be scared -- the worst thing that will happen is it won't work. The needles are so thin and small you can't even feel them. I feel like a new person every time I walk out of there. It helps me sleep as well. I've sent 2 of my other friends for acu for other reasons, and they have had just as much success as I've had. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially FM patients.

That's great it works for you :) Maybe I will try it too. I'm just a little apprehensive because of my experience with the chiropractic treatment. Everyone said it's helpful to see a chiropractor but it made my condition much worse. Ever since, I'm afraid to try anything new even though I hear it's helpful. For now, I'm doing basic streaching with PT (Not all work. Some are too painful to even try) and taking a light walk with my dog whenever I feel well enough to do so. Hot herbal tea in the am and nighttime helps a little. And hot bath before bedtime. Do you take any food supplements?

Hi Sami,

I recommend that you try acupuncture. The worst thing that could happen is nothing. It's not painful. I tried going for PT and it made me sooo much worse. I see a chiropractor now and I was very sore my first 3 or 4 adjustments but am starting to feel a bit better from it. Acu isn't straining your body in any way and the results are unbelievable. Like I said, the worst that could happen is nothing!! I drink herbal tea in the morning and at night (bedtime tea is called "Sleepytime"). I take a multi vitamin and ginger when my stomach gets upset, but that's about it. I hate taking meds!!

Ok, I will get the name of the acupuncture doctor from my PT. She highly recommended this person in the area. I will find out soon whether it works or not... I thought maybe the needles will damage my nerves or make my pain to get worse, etc.

I take multi vitamins, Calcium pills and Vitamin C also. Are you on any kind of special menu diet? I was reading the other day about what to eat and what not to eat... I need to learn how to cook better. Sami

The needles won't damage you in any way. It will definitely not make it worse, if anything you will get nothing from it. It's worth a shot. I've referred two friends to my acupuncturist for non-FM problems and they are extremely satisfied (and shocked) with the results.

I don't follow a menu diet strictly, but I try not to eat too much sugar, and more fruits and vegetables. I drink TONS of water as well. I don't eat a lot of grease, fat etc. I eat whole wheat and whole grains instead of white flour breads and pastas, but I ate like that before the FM diagnosis. I did, however, have to cut out all caffeine. I found it made my symptoms worse. I drink herbal teas instead now.

Hi There,

I have had bad experiences with chiro before too. I think chiropractors are just like any other physician, some are great and some aren't. I get chiro and acupuncture from the same person. She is awesome. I think with chiro adjustments it's important for them to relax your muscles either with a vibrator or EMS before they adjust you. Also getting your neck adjusted sitting up instead of lying down helps too.

But as KC said the acu can't hurt and might help. I doubt it would ever make your fibro worse, just not help it. Maybe if you find a good practicioner they can also recommend a chiropractor who is more effective. I prefer females chiros since they seem to have a lighter touch.

Good luck and hope you feel relief from it! - FF

I agree with Fibro Fighter. I went to a male chiro and hated it. After much convincing, I went to a female, and find she is not as "rough". She is who does my acu as well. You have to find someone you like and trust. She is very honest with me, even when it won't make her any money! Sometimes you have to try a couple of different dr.'s before you find one that you like. I get chinese acupuncture done, where they place needles not only on the affected area but others as well (pain point in your hand, your head, behind the ears for dizziness and one in my ankle). I've had regular acu before just on the affected area and find it didn't help as much as the chinese does (BTW, my dr. isn't chinese).

Yes I regret it so much for seeing this chiropractor I saw last Aug. It all happened since then. He was supposed to fix my neck pain but he ended up tearing my back muscle and everything went downhill from there. Now I'm diagnosed with FM. How sad is that. I kick myself for it. I will try on acu but I will do some research to make sure I go to an experienced reputable acu doctor. Hopefully this one that my PT is referring me to will be :) .

I saw a chiropractor for 2 or 3 months , cant recall, a long time ago. Oh wow, made things so much worse for me. She kept saying it will get better with time and sessions and i , wanting relief soooo bad, believed her. Six hundred bucks later, i felt worse. The "it will get bad before it gets better " line was a half truth, i would have thought after two months i would have noticed SOME type of improvement instead of getting worse with every session. I came out in tears in the last session and swore id never go to a chiro again. Acupuncture is something ive been thinking about doing. Have heard so many good things about it.
Jen

Hi Jen, you sound just like me. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that pain, plus the fee we spent on each adjustment! My chiro guy said the same thing. I'm just sore and it's not that bad... It will get better... That's what he kept saying but on the 3rd visit, I was crying so hard, and I was in so much pain everywhere, and couldn't get out of bed. I was so damaged and I knew he did something wrong. He injured me so bad - tore my back muscle, etc! I will give a try on acupuncture. I really cannot continue living like this. I must help myself from all this pain somehow - whatever that might work, I'm willing to try. I'm just a little scared after the chiro incident. Sami

Like I said before Sami, the worst thing that will happen with acupuncture is nothing. No side effects, no physical trauma, etc. Please keep me posted on if you give it a try and how you made out.