Has anyone tried acupuncture for ME/CFS?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I saw a massage therapist about a jaw problem on Thursday who also does acupuncture. He did a free massage on my jaw when I first met him before Christmas which helped my jaw but had no other effect on me. I saw him for a proper consultation this week and this time he also did some acupuncture on me to see if it would help my ME. He said some people have a reaction to it and others don't. Afterwards I felt like I had a surge of energy, then felt very drowsy and sick the rest of the day. I had the best nights sleep I've had for ages and when I woke up the next day I actually felt refreshed after sleeping!!! Normally I feel pinned to the bed when I wake up like someone has poured a bag of cement over me. I had a really good day and managed to do double what I'd normally do in a day. I expected the crash to happen yesterday but I still had more energy and today I still have some left. Having so much energy is unheard of for me 3 days in a row. It must be the effect of the acupuncture as I haven't done anything else different. Before I saw the therapist I was in a relapse after doing too much over Christmas and felt dreadful.
Has anyone else ever tried acupuncture and, if so, how long did the effects last? I'm not being silly thinking I've found a miracle cure but am making the most of the energy while I've got it!
0 likes, 19 replies
lori93950 elaine62759
Posted
i tried it as i thought i had adrenal fatigue and yes felt good afterwards. once diagnosed i stopped as kept csncelling appts due to not feeling well.
so id say if you can make the appts and you feel good keep at it .
elaine62759 lori93950
Posted
Really glad to know you got some relief from it too. I'm going to try another session and if I have positive results from that too I'll try and maybe go monthly if I can. I'm willing to give anything a go!!!
DiannaO elaine62759
Posted
Absolutely! I love acupuncture and I have very good results with it as well. The tricky part is to be able to afford it often enough to get it regularly. The results for me last a few days but the symptoms start coming back especially if I overdue. I haven't been able to afford to get it more than once a month. If you can keep it up and go more often than I do, your body may have a chance to heal more completely. The drowsy and sick feeling you felt later on in the day you got the treatment is called a "healing crisis" and it's a good sign.
elaine62759 DiannaO
Posted
I'm really glad to hear someone else has had a positive response to it. I only went to see him about my jaw and when he suggested trying acupuncture for the ME I wasn't really expecting it to have much effect as I've tried alternative therapies in the past which haven't helped. I was amazed that it seems to have helped. I still have some energy today - 4 days in a row!!!!I'm expecting the effect to wear off soon but am going to start being sensible and pace myself the next few days to try and make it last longer. I'm going back to see him next week so will see how the I feel the next time. Not sure if it will have the same effect or not. If I find it helpful again I was thinking along the same lines as you and maybe aiming for a top up session once a month.
Really glad someone else has found some relief too!!!
CFS.Sarah elaine62759
Posted
Hi Elaine,
I've tried acupuncture. I went in feeling totally convinced it was going to work for me unfortunately it didn't. I felt very relaxed during the session and learn.t I was 'damp' and should avoid cold food and drinks but sadly there was no improvement in my energy at all.
Sarah
elaine62759 CFS.Sarah
Posted
Sorry to hear the acupuncture didn't work for you but it's good you gave it a try. The other things I've found most helpful are gentle yoga stretches and listening to guided meditations. I think it's really important to try and relax completely some of the time as it gives your body a chance to recover from any muscle activity. Keeping a diary of how you feel after doing activities can be helpful too. Hope you find something that helps.
CFS.Sarah elaine62759
Posted
I had several sessions of reiki that left me relaxed, I actually fell asleep during one session 😁.
I'm willing to give anything a go and started a few yoga stretches before Christmas as someone on thus forum had suggested it. 💃
elaine62759 CFS.Sarah
Posted
That's brilliant you fell asleep during the reiki- they must have done something right! I tried reiki but it made me feel dreadful. I used to go for reflexology which made me feel really relaxed and I had a great sleep afterwards but the therapist moved away. I tried a couple of other people for reflexology but with one person it was really painful and I felt ill afterwards and with the other it had no effect at all on me. I think it's a case of trial and error with therapies. We all respond differently to things and I think some of if depends on how good the therapist is too.
Well done with the yoga! I've just started getting back into it too as I know when I did it before regularly it made a difference to my energy levels and flexibility. It took me ages to gain muscle strength but I gradually improved and I've found it helps me with my walking too as I was able to walk further when I regained a bit strength and flexibility.
Baby steps and you'll get there!!!
adam_d elaine62759
Posted
hi Elaine..yes it definitely works..
it's worked on me..the ones that it doesn't work on..they need to try a experienced acupuncturist..who knows what he is doing...
the acupunture needs to be done every week for about 3 months ..then maybe after every two weeks..
your energy levels will go down on the 5th or 6th day..your lucky you have a acupuncturist who knows what he is doing..
I say that because the acupuncturist i was using went on holiday and I had a replacement ..he buggered everything up so went to square one ..so don't change your doctor...they all work in different ways ..also do chi qong and try the Chinese herbs they all help ..God bless you
elaine62759 adam_d
Posted
That's really given me some hope that someone else has found it helpful. This is day 5 for me and I feel like my energy levels are starting to go more back to normal now but considering I had loads more energy for 4 days and did more than normal I haven't gone into a relapse like I normally would after doing more. The therapist I'm seeing has more than 20 years experience so hopefully he knows what he's doing. I'm looking forward to my next session to see what reaction I have next time. I managed a bit yoga today which I find helps a bit and will look into the chi gong. Thanks for the reply and hope you continue to get some relief from your symptoms!
Jk1952 elaine62759
Posted
I HAVE HAD ME/CFS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I USE AN OSTEOPATH WHO SPECIALISES.
RECENTLY I HAD ACCUPUNCTURE AND HAVE FOUND IT VERY HELPFUL.
INTRIGUEINGLY, THE AREAS THAT MY OSTEOPATH WORKS ON PROVED TO BE THE MOST SENSITIVE DURING MY ACCUPUNCTURE TREATMENT,
elaine62759
Posted
It's good to know you've found something that helps. I had my second session last week but this time the therapist used a mixture of acupuncture and acupressure using different points and unfortunately I feel worse rather than better now! Not sure whether to continue the sessions or not. Really hope it continues to work for you!
Jk1952 elaine62759
Posted
I HAVE FELT ILL TWICE OUT OF ABOUT 15 TREATMENTS OVER ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE DOCTOR PUT ME IN ANOTHER ROOM TO REST FOR AN HOUR. WHEN I GOT HOME I RESTED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY AND HAD AN EARLY NIGHT.
SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER THAN OTHERS TO RECOVER BUT I HAVE CERTAINLY BENEFITTED GREATLY OVERALL.
THE DOCTOR IS A HEART SURGEON BUT PREFERS TO TREAT PEOPLE HOLISTICALLY AND HOPES TO HELP PEOPLE TO AVOID GETTING BAD ENOUGH FOR SURGERY. HE ALSO ADVISES ON NUTRITION. I HAVE LOST OVER A STONE IN WEIGHT SINCE I HAVE BEEN SEEING HIM.
elaine62759 Jk1952
Posted
Well done with the weight loss!!! It's never easing losing weight with this illness as we can't be as active as healthy people so diet is definitely important. I generally try to eat things I know help my energy levels such as sweet potatoes, oats, fruit and vegetables but still have treats like chocolate sometimes if I feel like them. I think I'll take some time to recover from my last acupuncture session and might give it another go to see what happens next time. I think it's a case of trial and error to see what helps and what doesn't!
Jk1952 elaine62759
Posted
I THOUGHT I HAD ESCAPED THIS YEARS VIRUS.
NOPE - IVE BEEN CONFINED TO BARRACKS FOR 4 DAYS NOW !!
I COULDNT HAVE THE ACCUPUNCTURE BUT MY PRACTICIONER RECOMMENDED TURNIP AND ONION. I THINK ITS HELPED.
elaine62759 Jk1952
Posted
Sorry to hear you've had a relapse but hopefully since you felt better before you will pick up again so try and be patient. I normally have turnip and onion in my diet but haven't noticed any difference to my energy levels but know that a healthy diet in general is helpful.
My second appointment with my so-called therapist was a disaster. He tried something different and I haven't felt right since I saw him 3 weeks ago. My lower back felt really odd after seeing him and I felt ill and also kept needing to pee all the time. I spoke to a doctor on the phone and he thought I had a bladder infection so I took antibiotics but they didn't help. Finally managed to see an experienced doctor yesterday and he said I have a slipped disc in my back which would have been caused by what the so-called therapist did to me. I'm now in absolute agony and waiting to see a physio.
Anyone reading this and thinking about trying a new therapist make sure you check them out properly before using them. Don't make my mistake and get talked into treatment by how convincing someone sounds!
Jk1952 elaine62759
Posted
IM SO SORRY YOUVE HAD TO SUFFER THIS AWFUL EXPERIENCE.
MY THERAPIST COULD HAVE JUST TREATED ME AND TAKEN MY MONEY BUT HES VERY KIND AND PROFESSIONAL.
HES HAD 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HIS OWN PRIVATE CLINIC BEFORE HE SET UP IN ENGLAND. APART FROM M.E. HE ALSO TREATED ME FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS. I AM ALLERGIC TO ANTI INFLAMATORIES SO IM REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS ALTERNATIVE. HE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL IN ABOUT 10 WEEKS. (MY LAST ATTACK HAD LASTED 20 MONTHS)
I CANT AFFORD TO GO VERY OFTEN BUT I DID HAVE 3 OR 4 TREATMENTS FOR INSOMNIA. IVE ACTUALLY WOKEN UP FEELING THAT IVE HAD A REFRESHING SLEEP A FEW TIMES! BONUS,!
THE ACUPUNCTURE IS DONE WITH A MACHINE THAT BLEEPS WHEN IT IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
HE WORKS ON JUST MY EARS MOSTLY BUT OCCASIONALLY HE HAS USED NEEDLES IN OTHER PARTS OF MY BODY.
LIKE YOU SAY, ELAINE, WE HAVE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THERAPISTS OUT.
elaine62759 Jk1952
Posted
It's so good to hear from someone who has had a positive experience. Your therapist sounds like they really know what they are doing (unlike mine!). It's good to know there are proper professionals out there who genuinely want to help us. I really hope you pick up again soon!!!