And secondly trying to get past the receptionist is like trying to get past Nazi prison guards, I really should change my doctor! but then that’s easier said than done these days!

So, when I was away on holiday in Japan earlier in March 2000 I put my back out, I knew my own doctor & the NHS would be as much use as a chocolate fire guard and the local doctors in Japan could only give me pain killers for the pain, due to long treatment was not being an option due to my visitor status.

The painkillers did work though if only for a short period of time as the pain was pretty bad. If you´ve had a bad back you´ll know what I mean.

My mother in-law suggested I try Acupuncture and being in considerable pain I was willing to try anything, I though "Hell! Why not?"

First off, for those who don´t know what Acupuncture is let me explain. The acupuncturist locates certain pressure points within your body and using fine needles stimulates these points to treat the pain or illness. A bit like tuning a car engine if you like!


Bloody Ouch!

Previous to this I have never had anything like this before! I have tried alternative methods before in the form of homeopathic medicine for my hay fever, which worked quite well. However acupuncture is quite different as it´s a physical thing.

I have to admit I was very tense when I first went for acupuncture; this was completely unfounded as the acupuncturist did a very good job at calming me down and then finding the source of my pain.

The procedure of having the needles stuck in my back was quite painless and only a few times did I feel the needles enter my back and this was only as they broke the skin.

After the first session, I thought "Oh! Dear, it hurts now worse than it did before" but after a few hours the pain had subsided and the pain I felt was a lot less than before the treatment.

After about 4 sessions the pain had evened out and no matter what I did the pain never got any worse.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how well the treatment works but I was also disappointed that the pain was still there. However, the pain was now at a more bareable level than before. Allowing me to enjoy the rest of my holiday.

What I did find astonishing was that after the first session, my mother in law informed me that the acupuncturist I went to is completely blind! Amazing..

The pain in my back is still there at the moment, but if it ever gets worse again I know that a few sessions with an decent acupuncturist is all I need.

I could have an operation to completely cure my back but the procedure could leave me in worse condition than now, even in a wheel chair. So I´ll give that a miss.

Acupuncture does work for some people, others who have had it said it didn´t. I suppose it depends on the nature of the injury and the susceptibility of the person receiving the treatment.

If you wish to give Acupuncture a try, make sure you find a decent Acupuncturist as I have experienced a few in the UK which provided less than satisfactory result. Also make sure that the treatment is hands on and that they don´t just stick you with needles and leave you alone in a room. The acupuncurist should be constantly asking you question´s and tuning (for want of a better word) the needles.

Please make sure you check the Acupuncturist is a member of the The British Medical Acupuncture Society or the British Acupuncture Council, however be under no illusions about the quality of the Acupuncture community in the UK. At present, there are no regulations governing Acupuncture training and no regulations governing the practice of acupuncture. Your local authority usually classifies Acupuncturists under the same certifications as a tatooist. So BEWARE.

Links
» The British Medical Acupuncture Society
» Acupuncture: An Alternative or a Complementary Treatment?
» Foundation for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Your Comments on the Article:

senior h c a
totally agree doctors & their receptionists are crap, need to learn people skills. Alternative therapies look at people holistically which takes everything into account. I work with palliative care & the elderly, I practise reflexology & head massage alongside conventional medicine & it works.tha elderly can get forgotten which is wrong as they have & do give us so much. I too have had acupuncture in the past for an illness that was at southend hospital and its what set me on my career path now.what we dont realise is tablets are full of poisons although they have there place we should all be looking towards alternatives which performed correctly will do us no harm & give relief & a feeling of well being. So I agree with your comments 100% they are not ramblings but an open mind.
Posted by: lisa oakley on 25/08/2008 18:22:01

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