I tried acupuncture after an MVA where I injured my back, neck, shoulder and wrist. It did not help me, although others say it helped them. What did help me, was trying relaxation techniques that are designed for pain management. There are many techniques that are available, and not all of them worked, but some worked quite well.

A lot depends on the skill of the acupuncturist. If you try it, ask around to find someone who has helped others.

My husband went to an acupuncturist for lower back pain--no help at all.
What did help was beta blockers until he could start a regimen of strengthening exercises. He still has to be careful but he has had no recurrence of the pain/mobility problem that he experienced, and that your husband is experiencing.
In our experience chiropractors are salesmen/women. They want you to come back, come back, come back.

Patti, I suffer with rheumatoid arthritis and last year I started reacting badly to meds so dropped them all and ended up with excrutiating pain. In October I started holistic healing and that included acupuncture. I went for a weekly accupuncture treatment, and yes they helped. At first it was just a day or two of relief but at that point anything was a blessing. I stopped going in February, I just didn't have the time to go and it was expensive since my insurance did not cover it.

They included an occupational therapist, he taught me a lot and I have continued the various stretches and techniques. Good luck to you and hubby. The pain can be do debilitating.

Has he had an MRI? I would hope that has been done as he needs to know exactly what he's dealing with in order to have it treated. I have some lower back problems and finally decided to ask for an mri, because I wasn't doing the exercises, as some of them seemed to exacerbate the pain. I think the therapy can be better tailored when the doctor and pt know exactly what's wrong.

Marlingardener, my chiropractor told me about seminars that teach chiropractors how to keep clients coming back on a frequent and regular basis. It's all about money, of course. But NOT all chiropractors approve of this sort of thing. Mine certainly doesn't. Nor have others I've gone to in various places over the years.

I guess I don't have much faith in chiropractors, having worked with one and seeing his practice....But as far as acupuncture, years ago, my mother had treatment for HBP and also for hip/leg pain...He brought the blood pressure down but she did need medication with it but when she went to him, she used a cane and after treatment, she walked without it...She was pain free....

Thanks everyone. Sjergin, he can't have an MRI or sono because he has a pacemaker. He's already taking a beta blocker and can't exercise much because he has PAD. I wish there was something like a magic back rub that would take that darned pain away.

The boy's a mess!!

I was a skeptic at first, but acupunture has helped me tremendously. I used to suffer from debilitating migraines and was also sufferiing from horrible hot flashes and other menopausal issues. After 3 treatments with acupuncture my issues have greatly diminished and some have disappeared. I am no longer on any meds.

I did so well with it that I now have my 12 1/2 year old lab going to a veterinary acupuncturist for his severe spinal arthritis. I see a remarkable difference in his comfort level.

Many insurance companies will cover the cost if the acupuncturist is licensed, thankfully mine is, so I am alloted 20 visits per year.

I have talked to so many people who have broken bones that go undetected by xrays, They go for weeks before the med doc sends them to a specialist. He needs to see another doctor.

If he can't have an mri, has he at least had an x-ray? Can he have a pet scan? I would be afraid to start any treatment before I knew just what was wrong--rather risky, I think.

and can't exercise much because he has PAD.
What is pad? I would think that physical therapy stretches would help him as much or mote than acupuncture.

I'm guessing he has not had any therapy yet.

DH has had debilitating back pain from a fall years ago. The medical docs kept changing his meds and making him an addict. Finally a friend told him about an accupressurist he'd been seeing. Friend went end over end many times in a drag car. The medical docs told him he'd never work as an auto mechanic again and would probably never get out of the wheel chair. Someone refered him to Dr Andreason (chiropractor and accupressurist). He's 65 years old and still works every day as a mechanic. DH can control his pain by minipulating pressure points on the side of his ankles. I went to him for migranes it helped but they finally went away when I had my hystirectomy.

DH now goes for accupuncture as needed for inflamation in his knees. He has a torn miniscus and bone fragments in the other knee. We have no insurance. He's very happy with the results.
Hope you DH finds some relief soon.

Sjerin, yes he did have an x-ray. Chiropractor said it was arthritis of the spine (which, after reading symptons I tend to doubt).

Chemcurl--PAD is peripheral arterial disease. What it means he he basically has not circulation in either leg. Like the arteries around the heart, those in your legs can become clogged also. His are like 93% blocked. What circulation he does have comes from smaller veins and capilliaries. Walking is always painful for him. Sure didn't need his back to help along.

He can't take pain pills--allergic to codeine. Can only take 4 Tylenol a day because he's on Cumadine. Has to be very careful about anything OTC or prescription.

I wasn't kidding when I said he was a mess!

Thank you all for being so helpful. If acupuncture could help msMarion with migraines and her DH with his knees, maybe it could at least give him so relief.

MsMarion--does it hurt?

A lady in as former parish had cancer pain so strong that she could hardly stand to have someone touch the bed.

Son-in-law's Dad chief doc of practice in nearby town, suggested to younger partners thy take acupuncture training, they not interested, so he did.

The treatments helped the pain of the lady with the cancer a great deal. I think that it lasted for a period, then they had other treatments, which helped.

Sorry that I can't give further info.

I do hope that hubs can find some treatment that improves the situation: sending some good thoughts and hopes your way ... and some prayers for his improvement.

ole joyful