Acupuncture

[Jellyfish]

Has anybody used acupuncture for general well-being or to assist with mental illness? Would love to hear some stories about those who used it for reasons other than TTC, regulating cycles etc. Did you find that it helped? Did you use other remedies in conjunction with it? Was it a long term relationship or did you just need a few sessions to assist with your issue?

...One other thing... does it hurt and if so, how badly?

[Cherished]

Hi Jellyfish, I started having acupuncture to sort out my hormones for PMS, moods, anxiety etc etc, so while you might lump it into the ttc basket it was pretty much for wellbeing so that I was functioning without those ups and down iykwim. It is great for everything from the emotional to the physical. 'some' of the needles can hurt but not for long and it's really worth it, I always take a deep breath in and then if it hurts I am ready to blow it out, most of them just go in while I'm thinking about my breathing and I don't even notice. Some people are more sensitive than others so if they are hurting the practitioner can use thinner needles (for example my dh had the ones they usually use on kids). I can also recommend going to a chinese herbal medicine person / acupuncturist who mixes up their own herbs so that they will be tailored to you, these herbs will compliment the acupuncture for whatever problems you are having

[Fleur]

I had acupuncture for anxiety & found it very effective. I had a few needles in my head and hands; didn't hurt a bit.
The only time I have ever found it uncomfortable was when I was having induction acupuncture, I had a couple in my legs that must have been near a nerve or something. I wouldn't call it call it painful though.

[Heaven]

I only used it for TTC, but I can recommend him to you! Beau Mannix at positive balance! He's great! Station Rd, Indooroopilly!

I am a big wuss but it didn't hurt me!

[AndiE]

I had acupuncture during both my pregnancies . I found it really beneficial for my general health and wellbeing as well as my pregnancy.

No, acupuncture doesn't hurt. You may feel a tiny pr*ck of a needle every now and again, but I wouldn't call it a sensation of hurt. I always had 12-14 needles placed, sometimes more, and of those I'd maybe feel one as it was placed. The sensation goes almost straight away.

[dragonphoenix]

Has anybody used acupuncture for general well-being or to assist with mental illness? Would love to hear some stories about those who used it for reasons other than TTC, regulating cycles etc. Did you find that it helped? Did you use other remedies in conjunction with it? Was it a long term relationship or did you just need a few sessions to assist with your issue?

...One other thing... does it hurt and if so, how badly?

TCM has a long history of treating mental illness - over 2000 years.

Basically, from our perspective there isn't really such a thing as a "mental illness". There is just disharmony within the individual, which may or may not manifest with some kind of "shen disorder" (commonly translated as 'psycho-emotional').

From our perspective there is no separation of the body from the mind or the emotions - if one system is out of whack, then so too will all other systems, because of their close inter-relationship.

There has bee quite a bit of study of acupuncture treatments on mental illess - some positive, some not so. My personal experience with it was positive - it certainly helped me. My experience in using it has also seemingly been positive. Most TCM practitioners are also herbalists, so in fact the combination of acupuncture and herbs is very helpful. And if the needle thing scares you, you could always just take herbs. The other thing to keep in mind is that again, most TCM practitioners will also guide you into making appropriate changes to diet and lifestyle, and may also be able to take you through an exercise regime (Qigong, Taichi, yoga, etc) to also help bring some balance within you. Also, psychology and counselling are part of most TCM degrees now (they are with mine), and so you could also be seeing your TCM practitioner in that capacity also - all rolled into a neat 45-60 min package with acupuncture, herbs, etc thrown in.

The key here is finding a practitioner you can trust and connect with. The most important thing is to develop that 'therapeutic alliance' with someone who can help you heal your whole self.

If money's tight, there are always the student clinics.....