Acupuncture question

[ThAnswr]

Has anyone here ever gone for acupuncture treatments?

My mother is 85 and has a herniated disc and spinal stenosis. She's always in some kind of pain. She takes several different medications, but the pain never really goes away.

Several doctors have suggested back surgery, but frankly, I've got to wonder about the wisdom of putting an 85 year old woman through a 5-hour surgical procedure followed by 3 months in a back brace. Plus, I've never really heard of anyone having long term success with disc surgery.

Someone suggested acupuncture. Has anyone ever had it for back pain, and if so, was it a success or failure? Or for that matter, any alternative treatment short of surgery.

Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[mrsv98]

When I was about 4 mos pg with DD, I started having terrible back pain, I was literally frozen and cried whenever I moved. Of course, I couldn't take any strong drugs so I went to an acupuncturist and she was great. I had one treatment and did not feel immediate relief, but my acupuncturist said to give it 24 hrs and by the next day, I was feeling so much better. I continued having treatment every two weeks during my pg and after and I really believe I would have been in the hospital without the treatments, I was in that much pain.

Later, about 4 mos postpartum, I had another episode with freezing up. I got some strong muscle relaxants and pain killers but they didn't do anything, one treatment cleared me right up.

I agree about the wisdom of putting a woman your DM's age thru surgery and I think acupuncture is a reasonable alternative. Even if it doesn't work, it is worth a try and much less invasive than major surgery.

Here's a little ~~PD~~ for your DM to feel better!

 

[Kitty 34]

I only did acupuncture for quitting smoking which I did successfully.

I was diagnosed a year ago with spinal stenosis......one of the reasons we didn't go to Disney last summer as I love to ride the rides and I was in way too much pain.

I started physical therapy last June and a year later with on and off treatments all year, my PT gave me the thumbs up to ride the rides!! I strongly urge physical therapy first before any surgery. For me, it really worked and for the most part I'm pain free. And if I tighten up and feel pain I just do my neck exercises and the pain goes away.

Good luck to your Mom.