Last Thursday I went to see an acupuncturist for the very first time. I’d been considering it on and off through the years but with my lower back worsening over the past month I decided it was time to see if there was any way my pain could be eased without the use of constipation-inducing medications or a couple rounds of Long Island Iced Teas. Turns out I don’t have an answer for your regarding that, but I can share my thoughts on acupuncture some thoughts I have that I wish I’d known before I went in for my first appointment.
I’ve commonly read that acupuncture can provide feelings of euphoria, relaxation and drowsiness after an appointment. Drinking plenty of water is also common practice. Although I did feel a bit drowsy after I arrived back home on Thursday, as the day went on I began feeling another side effect.
My back pain started to worsen. Not only that, but I began feeling a poker-hot pain shooting down my right leg and into my toes. Also, for reasons still unknown to me, I was having bouts of crying spells – not from the pain…just – well, crying for no reason. By the time my husband came home I was feeling miserable – and a bit worried. It was so uncomfortable that I had to rely on my old standby of prescription pain medication. I contacted the practitioner and asked if it was normal that a patient would feel markedly worse after acupuncture. He said that yes, initially a few patients could feel worse before feeling better. I was instructed to continue to up my water intake and soak in a warm bath with Epsom Salts. I did feel a little better after the bath but between you and me, that also could have been the Percocet kicking in.
Over the weekend I started doing some research on the Internet. I combed over countless articles and was surprised to find that about 10-15% of acupuncture patients go through what’s called an exacerbation of pain or, ‘healing crisis’ after their first and sometimes second appointment. When I went for my second appointment today I asked a lot more questions and the practitioner said that we would know by my third session whether or not acupuncture will work for me or whether I’m one of the few people who are just too sensitive for this kind of treatment. My third appointment is next Tuesday. I’m really hoping that by then I feel markedly better.
Not a very exciting post but something to think about should you ever decide to visit an acupuncturist. Chances are, your experience will be vastly different from mine and you’ll gain a good experience from it. For those of you who are ‘special’ like me however, you’ll be better prepared for your appointment, hopefully.
On another note, our final Group Therapy Day will be this Thursday. Come prepared to share thoughts on your Gratitude jar and how/if it’s helped you. Send me pics if you’d like me to display them here on my blog, and pick one thing that you were most grateful for during the month. I’ve been keeping tabs on who’s contributed during every exercise during the month and will be announcing the winner of my print on Monday, February 4th!
See you all back here then!
~Ellen
I am trying to remember if you have worked with a physical therapist for your lower back? This will involve core strengthening and alignment and stretching. A good one will teach you how to do everything (that is smart to do, and this is not running) around your back.
In my opinion it needs to be a high level sports PT, not one whose career is geared toward people getting on and off the toilet and in and out of the car (most of them are).
Hi, Vickie~
Yes, I have had physical therapy via a sports medicine clinic several times for my back over the years as well as taken special classes on what to do (and not do) for my back. It tends to follow this type of pattern where it will be manageable for several months and then it will get worse for several months before slowly starting to improve. It’s been like this since I was in college. I think though, that as I get older I’m just not equipped to withstand the pain as well as I once did.
When I used to have spells like that, they had me lie stomach down in a reclined lazy boy, or stomach side up over an exercise/stability ball, and use a lot of ice. I have a friend with an incline table, she does not put it all the way down, she is not standing on her head, but she does get good traction going.
I had acupuncture done on my shoulder as part of my treatment to try and get it better. I can’t really say that it worked for me, but I never experienced the pain you’re describing. I hope it works out for you!
Me too, Greg. I am working towards a pain-free 2013 – it’s only January, so I’m still hopeful!
I don’t believe anyone isI too sensitive for acupuncture. That sounds like a justification for that persons failings. There are so many ways to adjust a treatment and go slowly enough.
It not always easy finding a really good person. That’s the key. I’ve had amazing treatments with just one or two needles.
Honestly, I hate that he or she said that to you. And if it hurts so much again i wouldn’t go back, especially since your sensitivity will be blamed.
And bravo for asking lots of questions!!
Well, good news: He used less needles and used only short needles this time. Plus, he didn’t twist them at all. Just let them be during the session. I have not had near the negative reaction that I had the first time. For this I’m very grateful. Maybe there’s some hope for me yet!!
I’m so glad he was able to modify the session for you.
I think there may be hope for *him* yet.
You, you’re already perfect.
I had been thinking about acupuncture myself. I’ve been dealing with back pain/sciatica for over a month and I’m not seeing any relief. Vicodin did nothing the first time I had this and percoset has done nothing this time. At least I know I won’t be addicted to those things!
I’ve seen a chiropractor this time and I felt a LOT worse after the first appt. But now I get better after each one. It’s like two steps forward and then one step back by the time I see him next. Pain sucks. You can’t focus on anything. It’s amazing what little things we are able to do everyday that we take for granted. I feel like I’m going in the right direction because I went to a neuro clinic and am getting an MRI, but thought about acupuncture for the pain part. While it’s all being figured out and worked on… need to get past it somehow to keep my mental state positive!
I just may be beginning to feel some relief, Carrie. I certainly hope so. From all the reading I’ve done over it, it can really help people like us who are suffering from lower back pain. I really feel for you. If it does help me, it will be my miracle. If you need someone to lean on who understands, don’t hesitate to email me.
Ooh, this sounds like scary stuff!
I’ve never tried acupuncture, but when I did the deep tissue massage and the therapist told me it would hurt *worse* for the next couple of days, I was ready to write the whole thing off. It didn’t make sense that it should hurt worse. He told me to call him at the 48-hr mark if I was still in pain. I’ll be darned if right around that time is when the pain just disappeared. Turns out he knew his stuff.
Here’s hoping you’ll get the same results!
Thank you for the well-wishes, Cammy. I go in for my third appt on Tuesday and I really hope it starts feeling better.
Two friends of mine had worse pain after sports massages, so it kind of makes sense that acupuncture could also produce that effect. I used to get regular reflexology and it made me want to cry as well… Our emotions are stored all over our body!
I wouldn’t say no to a couple of rounds of Long Island Ice Tea right about now.
Two virtual Long Islands then, Hanlie? In my mind I’ve already had three so you’ve got some catching up to do!
Even though I became good friends with an acupuncturist during my time in Florida, I have still never tried it. I really meant to, because there were great cheap places near where I lived that had very good reputations- maybe I just wasn’t ready for it.
I should look into it around here. One of my goals of this year is to say farewell to my near constant lower back pains. Ug, nobody deserves to have pain all the time!
I think it will help you increasingly after a couple more sessions, and if not- maybe try a different person. With the healing that I do, some people also experience an increase of symptoms after the first session or two- that just means that you are really working to let go!
If this acupuncture ends up helping me, you’ll be sure to read about it. I’ve got a trip coming up in a week and I’ve got to be able to sit through the plane ride. I’d like to be able to do that without pain meds!
I hope this is your year for pain free living! My husband has chronic back pain. I know how it can wreck your life & how you just want the pain to go away.
I get regular acupunture for mood maintenance and SAD prevention. It has been life transforming for me. I feel the euphoria and relaxation. It’s not much more than what I feel after a 90+ minute workout from a runner’s high, but I can get it while lying on my back.
I had a few treatments on my upper back muscles a few years ago when I was having deep muscle pain, and during the 2nd treatment he worked on deeper muscles and I was in tremendous pain afterwards. I found that physical therapy did more for my back than acupuncture. But my pain wasn’t chronic and healed in about 6 months.
Thank you for your comment, Laura. I’m SO glad to hear a good story about acupuncture and that it is helping you with your issues. That is GREAT news. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this third appointment really makes a difference.