RA and Accupuncture | Arthritis Information
I really hate how my knees are inflamed so bad. I want to just pinpoint the inflammation and zap it away for good. I just thought of accupuncture and how they stick the needles in people.
Has anyone tried accupuncture? Do you think that it would work to get rid of the inflammation?
Cindy742010-02-18 17:11:39Supposedly accupuncture stimulates endorphins that help reduce inflammation.
I don't know of anyone who's tried it. What I DO know is that if it really worked we'd all know about it and we'd be combarding the accupuncturists with appointments.
I suppose there will be some who have tried it and claim it works. Hey, if standing on your head and rubbing your tummy makes the inflammation go away, I'm all for it.
How about Kenalog [cortisone] injections? Have you tried those?
Sam12342010-02-18 19:22:41Hi Cindy, I have wondered about this myself! I did have a good friend who swore by acupuncture when he had neck issues. (He didn't have RA) I am just a bit leery of it myself, just the use of the needles, hygiene, experience of the practitioner...
I would be interested in hearing experiences as well.
Waddie
Cindy,
I have never thought of Acupuncture, interesting.
Sam,
I have had many injections. Most of the time they work, sometimes not so much.
Right now the prednisone I am taking is turning out to be the best thing I have done for myself in a long time....I NEVER thought I would EVER say that. I normally cringe at the mention of steroids.
I wonder why sometimes the injections worked and others not. Also, sometimes I would get a joint injected and I would have pain 3 times worse for days after, before I saw any improvement. Have you ever experienced that?
#1inflamedOnline2010-02-18 19:52:57[QUOTE=#1inflamedOnline]
Sam,
I have had many injections. Most of the time they work, sometimes not so much.
Right now the prednisone I am taking is turning out to be the best thing I have done for myself in a long time....I NEVER thought I would EVER say that. I normally cringe at the mention of steroids.
I wonder why sometimes the injections worked and others not. Also, sometimes I would get a joint injected and I would have pain 3 times worse for days after, before I saw any improvement. Have you ever experienced that?
[/QUOTE]
Like you, I've had lots of Kenalog [cortisone/steroid] injections over the years. Ironically, they work 8 out of 10 times for me. When they don't, typically [for me] something else is going on that required surgery.
I've never once had an instance where the pain was worse after an injection. I wonder, does your doctor "front-load" the Kenalog with anesthetic? Mine uses either a topical or injectable anesthesia immediately before the shot. I've always had it done this way. I wonder if I DIDN'T have the anesthesia if I would hurt badly after the injection.
Also, over the past year or so, all cortisone shots into joints are given to me with guided ultra sound, to ensure getting the right target. [Personally, I don't know why they bother since my orth surg's always hit the mark before using the guided imagery, they're that good. Sorry, don't mean to brag about my guys, but they really are great.]
Sam,
Yes my ortho puts in anesthetic, and I am grateful for that. He told me that sometimes the steroid exacerbates the inflammation, temporarily, You are lucky you have not experienced this. However, it does not last. When I get my wrist injected I have to wear splints for a few days, mostly in bed because the pain is so bad. But it resolves. Funny how things can be treated the same yet the experience can be different.
Someone was just telling me they got relief from a shoulder issue with accupuncture-not RA. He said it worked initially- the pain came back eventually but not as great and then when he had accupuncture again it never came back.
I knew a woman (had too much money to play with) she used to take her dog - said it treated it's kidney problem with success.
I have also wondered about accupuncture. Sometimes I feel like I'd try anything if other people were having success with it.
Prednsione............aack, I do hate when I have to use it. It works but I become ravenous and want to eat everything in sight and usually do. I'll put on about 5 pounds but I always lose it pretty quickly once off the prednisone.
I've had many of the shots, mainly in my shoulders and knees, they have always worked for me fortunately. They hurt like crazy, especially in the shoulder when my Dr. injects it directly in the joint...my Lord I almost faint everytime.
I'd also love to hear if anyone has tried accupuncture and if it provided them with any relief and/or improvement.
[QUOTE=#1inflamedOnline]Sam,
Yes my ortho puts in anesthetic, and I am grateful for that. He told me that sometimes the steroid exacerbates the inflammation, temporarily, You are lucky you have not experienced this. However, it does not last. When I get my wrist injected I have to wear splints for a few days, mostly in bed because the pain is so bad. But it resolves. Funny how things can be treated the same yet the experience can be different.
[/QUOTE]
I had frequent steroid shots and one of the issues I've had is the steroid crystallized in the joint. It was as painful as hell.....
I avoid the shots most of the time now..
Are there special side effects that can occur with cortisone joint injections?
Cortisone injections into a joint may have side effects in addition to those described above. Unique side effects of joint injections involve injury to the joint tissues, particularly with repeated injections. These injuries include thinning of the joint cartilage, weakening of the ligaments of the joint, increased inflammation in the joint (arthritis) due to a reaction to a corticosteroid that has crystallized, and introduction of infection into the joint.
Lynn492010-02-19 12:59:32
I have had acupuncture, about 2 dozen times. The pins are very tiny, sort of like little quills. Acupuncture has helped me with pain, but the effects do not last. In order to see benefits enough to keep inflammation at bay you have to go at least weekly if not more. I cannot afford it at that quantity.
I have had sessions for back pain, sinusitis and neck pain which were extremely helpful and had lasting effects. I've also gone to my Chinese doctor during times of extreme stress and the treatment was very helpful for that. For my RA, I had some pain relief that did not last more than two days.
Some insurances pay for it but most don't. I have to pay so I go sparingly. I've never had an infection from the pins (they are never re-used) and most of them do not hurt, if you have a skillful practitioner. Some give you a jolt when they hit an energy meridian. when I went for neck pain, she put a quill in the ankle joint area that just tapped some kind of energy and I felt an almost electric shock run up my body and out my head - but my neck relaxed!
Some more facts: the tiny little pins do not go into joints or even very deeply into the skin. They are sterile and disposed of immediately after use. There may be a teeny trickle of blood from some areas, especially in those of us on NSAIDS. Most insertions do not hurt.
My acupuncturist assesses my complaints at each sessions and places the pins accordingly, then covers me lightly, puts heat lamps over me and leaves me alone in the room with a little bell nearby in case I need anything. Soft meditative music plays and I generally go into a trance like state and achieve ultimate stress release.
No comparison between injections and the pins, as said, they do not go in deeply. In fact several usually pop out while I'm reposing.
Hope that helps!
Green~Tara2010-02-19 15:48:50My Rd and pain dr. have both mentioned accupuncture to me. Said they have patients that have had great results. Unfortunately, the person they want me to see is not taking new patients. Time is also an issue-another appointment. I am willing to try this summer if need be. Both dr see it as a therapy, not as a substitution for a med.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com