Question:
Can anyone tell me why I experiece so much pain when receiving acupuncture? I am worried about returning for any more treatment as the pain I have in my arm when the physio "tweeks " the one needle is excruciating and she almost has to scrape me off the ceiling! Should I experience this type of pain which causes my arm to jump and also the needdle sometimes jumps out as she puts it in as if I am rejecting it!
I really do not know whether to go back for more or to ask her to give me another type of treatment instead - has anyone else had this happpen?
JM
Answers:
Hi JM
Physios and other "dry-needlers" use a very different technique for inserting needles compared to traditional acupuncturists like myself. I tend to apologise if my patients feel any pain, and I certainly would be looking very closely at my needle technique if I had to apologise too often!
I can't see what would be wrong with asking your physio to just choose another point, because the pain you experience is making the difference between you returning for treatment or not.
Some acu-points are more tender than others, and some people are more sensitive to needling than others, but it should always be possible to needle a point painlessly, using a good technique and focussed attention.
Being a big advocate for acupuncture, I have to add - how about getting treatment from an acupuncturist rather than a physio? It takes years to develop a good needling technique and some "dry-needlers" have done their training in a weekend!
HTH
Best wishes
Aragorn
Answers:
Hello,
I have heard of one another case (treated by a competent TCM acupuncturist) where one point coudl just not be needle because the needle was rejected. However, it did get better after a few sessions.
The question is: do you feel any better at all the next day after the sessions? If not, I would seriously consider Aragorn's suggestion and go to a qualified TCM acupuncturist.
Artemis
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