Acupuncture for back pain and leg pain.

[writtenonmybody]

Wondering if anyone here has tried Acupuncture at all and what their experience has been with it. I set up an appointment for husband as he has back problems (Degenerative disc disease, two back surgeries, leg pain) and we're running out of options for pain management. He was on pain killers. Decided out of the blue that he no longer wanted to be on them. Went through withdrawal from them. Now he's stuck because he's already tried physical therapy no luck and it's the only option his doctor will give him now for a couple months because he said he didn't want pain killers.

So, we're looking for options. A life overhaul if you will. Acupuncture is on the list, taking vitamins and other herbs, changing his eating habits to help with pain management. Low impact work outs (walking, swimming, biking), picking a gym with pool, hot tub, and sauna). Just starting these adjustments now. Any advice or experience with any of these would be awesome!

Thanks

[writtenonmybody]

Why isn't this post showing up in the new posts area? Hmmmm.

[peanut]

Hi Lisa. I have used acupuncture for lower back pain...once. It was excellent for me (partially slipped, compressed disc with inflammation and arthritis in my spine). However I couldn't afford it for long. She charged $60CAD a visit. She used heat as well as needles.

There have actually been studies proving acupuncture's usefulness for back pain. In fact, back pain and asthma are the two things it's recommended for.

I've found modifying exercise programs to work really well for me. I can't bend and twist without ruining my back. So I have to watch Pilates, which is done on the lower back. I can do simple exercises, but not a full workout. Right now it's not the best thing for my back!

I am gravitating more towards gym work (treadmill, track, recumbent bicycle - more comfortable than the upright bike - and upper body machines), whirlpool/spa (though I have to be careful not to sit in front of the strong jets), walking, exercise DVDs (Leslie Sansone and basic yoga).

I do very simple stretching yoga exercises in bed in the morning to break through that morning stiffness and pain. Not the hard core stuff. I do find I prefer to modify the yoga DVDs. Invariably they have something on meditation. I prefer to do Christian meditation instead of the emptying of your mind the yoga DVDs suggest. The results are better, imho (don't know if that pertains to your DH though).

I also alternate sitting with standing. Thankfully I am a SAHW and can arrange my day to do whatever I want generally. I try not to sit for more than an hour at a time. I make sure to get up and move around.

Is your DH having problems sleeping too? Not enough or good enough quality? Often a lot of pain interferes with sleep. If so, I'd suggest melatonin. It's a natural hormone you can buy at the health food store to aid sleep. It's only a temporary relief though. I found I could only take it for 2 weeks at a stretch before it made me drowsy all the next day. So just be forewarned to take it when he needs it, not all the time...especially if he has to operate machinery.

I have a friend who's had back surgery who swears by aquacize. Seems to me swimming would be ideal!

I guess that's been my experience and what works for me. Hope your DH is feeling a little more in control of things and better shortly.

[pinetree]

I haven't tried using the acupuncture, but if he thinks it will work, I would try it. You wouldn't be out that much to try it, and if it works its worth a million dollars!

I was told to stay away from riding a bike. I use a hot tub, twice a day, just be careful getting out. It makes you weightless then when you get up, you have to go slow, or it feels like you weigh a thousand pounds.

Have him watch the weather, when there are fronts coming through, it can lay you up for awhile. He has got to learn what he can & can't do. It takes awhile to figure it out. I've had this since 84 and still do things I shouldn't. If he has a weight limit, that should be watched also. Mine is 7 pounds., which then lifting weights is out for him. Does he have a weight limit? He might be doing things he shouldn't be doing.

Also, I know he want's off the drugs, but there are times when its ok to take a pain killer, even if its is a half of one. Sometimes if you can just get the edge off, it really helps. I have also learned is not to stay in one spot for long, stand, sit, lay down. I hope something here helps.

[peanut]

The weight lifting thing is a good point. I was told not to lift more than 5-10 lbs. I had a personal trainer go with me through the upper body machines and peg just where that 10 lb. limit was on the machines he wanted me to use. I never go over it!

[CrazyHomemaker]

I love accupuncture. I was using it for sinus problems and heart arrhythmia. I know it helped for sinuses, almost immediately. I was laying like a pincusion and in 20 minutes my sinuses drained. I couldn't believe it! I modified my diet for arrhythmia with great success. As for back pain, accupuncture will be next on my list to try. I have a bit of arthur in there which is aggravated mostly by eating pig products. I don't eat pig if I can help it!

So, yes! Accupuncture works for me.

[IntlMom]

Another acupunture fan here!
I've used it too.....it helped me alot with some foot nerve pain.

[katybug]

I was in a car accident a year ago and I've had trouble with pain since. I tried physical therapy, message, acupuncture and the only thing that really made a difference was Pressure Point Therapy I'm currently doing.

Acupuncture didn't work for me, but I was having muscle pain, not disc issues and nerve issues (even though one of my discs is fake now ) One of my friends had nerve pain and she SWEARS by it.

If you were in the Salem, OR area I would certainly recommend my acupuncturist, he was fantastic, it just wasn't the right treatment for me.

~KB