This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I have just had 8 sessions of Accupuncture, Cupping & Massage. I originally signed on for 3 sessions and the accupuncturist said that I would benefit from longterm treatment. It seemed to make a bit of sense since I have MS for over 20 years and 3 sessions were unlikely to undo all the previous damage. Now he is saying that I would benefit from long term treatment and suggesting 20 sessions.

I don't feel any real improvement. There are times I feel better after a session but by the nature of MS there are times I feel great anyway without any accupuncture.

My question is this has anyone undergone longterm accupuncture and if so was it beneficial or is accupuncurist just trying to generate cashflow.

Thanks

i have never had it done.......
if you saw great results i would continue... but if you havent, may not be a reason to continue, unless it is helping with othr things.

thanks for taking the time to reply globab
However I was hoping that someone who had gone through a course of accupuncture might reply with their experience. Has anyone on the forum had accupuncture done? Long term or short term? Surely someone has some experience of it and would like to share their thoughts and feelings.

Being at the source (Taiwan-China) the best acupuncturist / Chinese Doctors are here around; I have seen many; and followed many treatments. I've got needles; moxybustion, magnetic chi radiation; soups of doubtful origins...

Nothing stopped my progression, am now EDSS >8

But everyone's different; so my experience will not teach you much

Hope it helped somehow anyway;

Cheers and be well!

Algis
thanks for taking the time
I suppose I was really hoping for a reply that was so full of positivty that it would encourage me to keep going. I appreciate your honesty. I don't suppose that anything will halt the progression. If it was available everybody would be doing it. Maybe CCSVI is the best thing athe moment

Hello Gymbuff

I had acupuncture weekly for two years and I am sure it helped me a lot. Near the beginning I had it twice a week for three weeks and on two occasions I had it three times a week. I ended up having acupuncture for half an hour followed by a massage for half an hour, once a week for about the last year.

It helped a great deal with back pain and headaches around the back of my head. I don't need it now as the pains are more or less gone. I have also been liberated now so I don't think I will have the problem again.

It was very expensive for me so I am glad I don't meed it anymore.

My experience was that it took several weeks before I started to see an effect, There is a kind of learning process. But If I have acupuncture now my body seems to respond straight away.

If you can afford it I would recommend doing three times a week for a few weeks. If it is going to work for you you will see a definite improvement. I was more or less completely pain free when I did that. When I went down to once a week I would be in pain again after about three days but there did seem to be a cumulative effect so that the pain was still not as bad.

Of course I dont think acupuncture is a cure but coupled with diet, supplements and exercise I was almost completely symptom free after a while.

AMcG
Thanks for replying
It is the expense of the treatment is putting me off. I don't have any back pain or headaches to contend with. My major problem is my walking ( and of course bladder). My next session is on Monday next at which time I must decide wheher to continue or not, so I have a few days to think about it. Thanks again.

Hi Gymbuff

I have had a three accupuncture sessions, one with an Asian doctor, (I am in Minneapolis - not Asia), with his receptionist translating for me. One with an american trained accupuncturist..

Even though I couldn't communicate directly with the Asian accupuncturist, the short term results were astounding!

I have had bladder hesitancy for forever, but the minute he was done with me, (litterally), I had to rush to a bathroom and the flood gates were wide open .

That lasted for about a day and a half, then it went back to the way is was.

The cost kept me from seeing him again. He didn't accept insurance, so each visit would have been $75.00 or so.
I wish I had that much disposable income lying around.

The other guy I saw (twice), accepted insurance, but I didn't have as much success. In fact, in the initial interview I told him that I had MS and was hoping to relieve some symptoms. (stiff legs, numbnes, bladder etc..).
He told me that he was very familiar with MS and how to treat it.

He loaded me up with needles, (which to this day I think is the coolest thing to experience), but then had me lie on a heated electric table.

I think the heat killed any benefits that I might have realized from this hack.

Anyway, the point of my story is, (in my opinion), I think the best results come form asian-trained doctors, if you can afford one or if a particular doc will negotiate pricing.

I wouldn't waste my time with an American trained guy, (that's just my humble opinion - take it for what it's worth)

Be well,

Aaron

this really depends on many factors but i will tell you my experience. i have been going to the same practitioner for 1.5 years or so. I find it to be very helpful and I also take 2 doses of prescribed Chinese herbal medicine (custom, not in pre-packaged form). This has been a terrific grounding experience in terms of health care and physical/mental well being. I am going 1 to 2 times every two weeks. I agree that to start it should be more frequent. My practitioner did not promise to cure anything just to work at it as much as I was comfortable doing (both financially and personally).

You want someone who is really paying attention, taking you pulses every time you meet. Interviewing you before you session to find out how you have felt in the interim days. Also you should only go to someone who is licensed (Lic. Ac., MAOM).

I had been to someone who practiced on the Japanese style which is a more superficial form, not as deep into the muscle. That I did not find as effective as the Chinese form which I am having done now.

MS can be a very tough and relentless condition. Acupuncture is not a sledge hammer to conditions such as this. But its effects, at least to me, are real. So much depends on your practitioner though, I can't say that enough.

Thank you for your replies. I have a lot to consider betwen now and Monday

I have tried 4 different acupuncturists, Western and Eastern trained. I have done Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. I have spent thousands of dollars. It didn't help. I started using it for fertlility and my initial diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis. Then just for my mobility issues and when I was finally diagnosed with PPMS. I wanted it to work . I have had compounded Chinese herbs (horrible!!!). All of these practitioners meant well and did their best. I have continued to deteriorate, rather swiftly as far as I am concerned.

I did think it helped my bladder and with night time urination.

I will spend my money and energy on other things now, like CCSVI surgery. Also good books and spa treatments which make me as relaxed as acupuncture ever did, probably more so. Some people really swear by it, but not me. I really did give it a good long try.

_________________
Kathy, 49 with PPMS,full time scooter.
Married to a wonderful man, mother to a darling 9 yr old boy

My experience with acupuncture is limited, but I'll post it for what it's worth. I found that after the treatments my walking improved, but in each case the improvement was short-term. My impression was that just the resting on the treatment table in a cool, relaxing environment may have reduced my fatigue. After a few hours post-procedure, I was back to where I started. Decided to discontinue treatments due to ineffectiveness and cost.

_________________
CCSVI:  Making Sense of MS

Thanks for your replies

I have decided to carry on for another 5 weeks with 2 sessions per week. The accupuncturist is oriental and he gave me a good deal on the 10 sessions.

At the last session he reccommended a chinese prescription for the bad circulation in my feet. I have used it twice with no noticeable difference yet but my wife has threatened me with expulsion to the garden shed for further preparation as the stuff smell horrible.

I just went to the acupuncturist for a short time (about 4 sessions in a 2 month period), but I must admit it did me lots of good. Maybe it's because my acupuncturist is VERY good (checks the pulse, does the interview before each session, etc.) or maybe because I think of it as a form of meditation when I'm lying on the table...who knows. But I use to have severe migraines (I took lots of pills everyday for them and sometimes even had to get a shot...), and after those sessions it took about 3-4 months before I started having the headaches again.

I can't go at the moment because I don't have the funds, but as soon as it will be possible, I'm going to book another 4 sessions. BTW, it also helped with fatigue.

I know everyone is different when it comes to this, so only you can tell if the benefits are worth it. Good luck!!!

I said earlier that the accupuncturist did me a good deal but I don't really know. He is charging 10 sessions (1 hour each) for €350. He seems to be very genuine and is quite positive that there will be an improvement in my walking. I hope he is right.