Has anyone tried Acupuncture?

[FRDGAL]

Here's the story..

I found out that I have a prolapsed disc aka Lumbar Disc Injury (lower back) which is pinching all my nerves and is the cause of my Sciatica on the left side (a horrible and annoying part-numbness from the hip down to the foot) I'm on alot of medication for this as the pain can get quite unbearable. So I was wondering if anyone else has this or similar back problems and how you've dealt with it?

I've been told to drop 10kgs and if that doesn't work then consider surgery. (I'd like to avoid surgery) But I'm finding it hard to exercise because I can't feel part of my foot which is causing me to fall/trip and I'm un-able to balance properly. I've actually put on weight because I haven't be able to be active and that's really bothering me. Any ideas on what type of exercise I could do that wouldn't involve using my foot LOL :P

Anyway, I've been thinking of trying Acupuncture. Has anyone tried this for pain relief? Because I really don't like taking all these different tablets..

[MrQuan]

weights and the use of gym equipment should let you exercise without using your foot. Maybe you could get a membership as gyms have trainers there that could help you

Acupuncture sounds interesting, but considering you have a disc injury wouldn't it be more effective to have physio and stregthen your lower back? I'm no expert (obviously) but that makes more sense to me.

Anyways, get well soon - back injuries are aweful so I hope you fully recover FAST!

[Dodge]

had it done for years now after i broke my neck, i tried everything to stop the pins and nedles and frozon fingers, this actually works . failing that try meditation

[cogdoc]

You have a few options. I for one swear by acupuncture, but as per usual the experience is only going to be as good as the skill of the therapist, so ask around.

Gym and swimming would be my recommendations on exercise, swimming especially as it is weight bearing, and you can get a "pullbouy" which is a foam doobie you put betwen your legs so they float and you don't have to worry about kicking. The twist for breathing might bother you though, so you might even have to use a snorkle. I'd chat to the people at a decent pool and ask them ( not the kid serving food either...)

Surgically the options get a bit more involved. I'm not a spinal specialist, but all the surgical repairs involve jacking the disc space back up, "unpinching" the nerves causing the problem. Catch 22 is that there is a lot of debate at the moment as to whether or not this is a long term solution, and the other fact that surgery to your spine is pretty specialised. You can get external "rods" bolted in, which are less "invasive" but you will feel those through your skin for the rest of your life. Obviosusly surgery is a last resort, and if you go see a spinal surgeon, his only option really is to operate, so I'd be exhausting all other options up front.

Carrying any extra weight WILL only make the problem worse, so you really need to decide how to get that back down, and I'd be visiting a good dietitian, as well as a physio or even a chiropractor, as spine is their speciality. I personally haven't had great experiences at the chiropractor, but then there's nothing really wrong with my spine. May be very different in your case. Have had good physio and acupuncture experiences, especially Acupuncture, it is amazing. And you DON'T feel the needles they are SOOO tiny.

[Angry Beaver]

Go for it. But do your research carefully, make sure you ask around. My mother swears by it for her back. Not for me though hate needles, and yes i know these ones dont hurt but its the thought.

[NIGHTHAWK]

A locksmith friend of mine had this a few years ago, and it was caused by him sitting to long in his chair playing everquest. He had painkillers and was given exercises by the doctors to do. Took him nearly 7 months before it came right.
He bought himself a $300 plus special chair which nreduces the pressure on the lumbar region. :lookedat:

[parawolf]

rather than running or cycling on the road... try using an exercise bike where you are supported in one place, but you will get good leg, hip and lower back exercising.

Oh and acupuncture rocks...

[Tote]

I managed to injure my neck by sleeping too close to an open window, I woke up with a start and hurt the muscles in my neck so badly I could barely move. my neck was spasming continually. I went to the local doctor who did the usual take these pills and go away routine but it was still too painful to cope with. One of my work colleagues suggested a sport medicine facility here in Canberra and I went with the intention of getting some physio, the therapist suggested acupuncture and I walked out of there with maybe 10% of the pain that I had had when I walked in. (compare the difference between a muscle that is in a cramp and the pain you suffer after extending yourself a little too far by overexcercising)
I realise that a muscle issue is vastly different to a back injury but I would certainly give it a go, it's a whole lot less intrusive than surgery.
regards,
Tote

[bindi]

I'd also be trying an osteopath/chiropractor, naturopath, and massage.

Acupuncture is great, my dad had sciatica (it's the only time I've seen my dad cry) and he found relief from it using acupuncture.

My daughter had a back issue that was really resolved using a naturopath who is also an osteo/chiro guy. It was bloody brilliant, to see her finally relieved of her pain.

I'd say exhaust all other possibilities, as surgery is an absolute last resort and can give you more issues than you already have.

[b2tf]

I havent tried it but I do think it would work.

[FRDGAL]

By the sounds of it there's certainly some positive results from acupuncture so I will give it a go. I just want some sort of natural pain relief rather than medication. And I've booked in to start physio next week and have an appt with my dietition who I already see on a regular basis as I'm a diabetic. I'll do what it takes to avoid surgery! I think I need to invest in a better desk chair too.

I'll post updates over the next few weeks and let you all know how I go with the acupuncture & physio etc...

Thanks everyone

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Fairmont_Krissy

By the sounds of it there's certainly some positive results from acupuncture so I will give it a go. I just want some sort of natural pain relief rather than medication. And I've booked in to start physio next week and have an appt with my dietition who I already see on a regular basis as I'm a diabetic. I'll do what it takes to avoid surgery! I think I need to invest in a better desk chair too.

I'll post updates over the next few weeks and let you all know how I go with the acupuncture & physio etc...

Thanks everyone

good luck i strongly agree with your chioce . swimming is also the best way to strengthen the back . only have surgery after you exhaust all other options . as i know 3 people that have had back operations with all the similar condition as yours one was a complete success, one a complete fialure ( dead leg) and one is going back for re surgury after 7 years.

[Sylox]

Originally Posted by Fairmont_Krissy

Any ideas on what type of exercise I could do that wouldn't involve using my foot LOL :P

LOL How about some of this : : :


I had acupuncture on my Torn shoulder and on my neck at 2 different times and both seemed to work ok for me.

[LTD351]

osteo, swimming once you are better, and accupuncture will all help you. They work for me now I go to osteo every month, makes life so much better.

[FRDGAL]

Originally Posted by Sylox

LOL How about some of this : : :

Are you offering or suggesting? :Up_to_som

J/K :P

[Sylox]

Lol 2 drunk to answer that one

[Dodge]

monkey dance anyone? right now im doing finger arobics on the key board LOL

[Stav]

Go to the chinese grocery shop and ask for some ZHENG GU SHUI.

It it a liniment.Put some on a tissue and place it on the area where your back hurts.Leave it for at least 30 minutes.When you get back up post up how it feels.

As mentioned, give the acupunture a go. My brother treats people of all ages with it, even babies, and it works. Swimming is good for health and wieght issues and won't put pressure on your feet or back.

Also if you are in a health fund, most of the treatments mentioned in the posts are claimable.

[TIKFD6]

Accupuncture works on some.
I have had it for both a herniated disc in my lower back and in my neck, it didnt work for either. After surgery on both(discectomy/back, Fusion/neck), the only thing i found to help was ongoing physio and light excercise helped, but the cold weather is'nt helping atm.
The main advice i can give is dont do nothing, the more(within reason) movement and excercise you can do the better, keeping the body moving.

Good luck Krissy, i can fully symperthise.
Give the needles a go.

[FRDGAL]

Originally Posted by useless

Go to the chinese grocery shop and ask for some ZHENG GU SHUI.

It it a liniment.Put some on a tissue and place it on the area where your back hurts.Leave it for at least 30 minutes.When you get back up post up how it feels.

I got it today. It does ease the pain, and quickly. For me it's working well. I haven't had a painkiller all day. It doesn't smell which is good and I actually find that the scent disappears after a few minutes which I like because the scent then doesn't linger around the house. Thanks for suggesting this stuff Stav

Now, I was looking at the ingredients and ummmm Dragons Blood? Can someone please tell me what that is exactly?

Also, I tried Acupuncture on Wednesday and I don't know if it's right for me because I didn't feel any kind of relief at all but saying that, I will give it a few more tries before giving up on it completely..

[NAK302]

i had acupuncture when i was a kid. the goddam tetnus shot hurt more than the rusty nail going into my foot :

[StorminaTcup]

I had sciatica, and the mother-in-law recommended a Kinesioligist/Chiro (they work on the balance of the body as well as chiro side). Told me I would be sore for 2 days, and that if I was still in pain to come back, but if not dont come back. Needless to say he was correct, I didnt have to go back. (I did this after doing 2 weeks of physio - which I wont go do again as I found this useless)