Yes. it can be helpful. Unfortunately, they are not all created equal. You need to find one that people you know have used and gotten good results.

Our insurance used to cover acupuncture, but no longer. One treatment is usually not enough so it can get expensive for out of pocket for 3 or 4 visits.

The doctor will give you a quick exam. Ours always had us stick out our tongue at each visit.

You lie down on the exam table, the doctor inserts the needles that are sized to you.

I believe the heavier you are, the thicker the needle. It should not hurt. Just a tiny pin prick. You stay this way for 20 to 30 minutes. I usually take a nap. Needles are then removed and thrown away.

Acupuncture has helped some people quit smoking. It can't helped with weight loss, I asked :)

I've had acupuncture for arthritis pain in my shoulders and back. It helped a LOT! Went regularly for several years. Then insurance quit covering it, no way I could afford it, so had to give it up. It's sad, I think, that insurance will cover heavy duty and possibly addictive pain pills that could (and usually do) have all sorts of side effects, but won't cover acupuncture that does help, is not addictive, and has no side effects.

There is no pain involved, sometimes a tiny pin prick, as eld6161 said. It was very relaxing for me, I usually felt limp as a wet rag when I left the doctor's office.

Apparently it doesn't always work the same way for everyone, so good luck if you decide to try it, I hope it will work for you. And I hope you will let us know your experiences.

Rusty

I've tried acupuncture for hip, and low back pain caused by no range of motion in that hip. I did find it helpful but agree that the service is only as good as the provider - there are good acupuncturists and those not so good. I went a couple of times a week for many sessions, and felt better when leaving on all but one appointment when my acupuncturist was having a terrible day, in fact she cried during my session. A husband thing, and she wasn't focused on me. That day was a waste of time and really unprofessional;)) My insurance was covering the expense.

My cousin had acupuncture throughout weeks of chemo for an aggressive form of breast cancer and did so well, she barely missed any work during radiation and chemo, maintained her weight, nutrition - she really is convinced it contributed to her good outcome and experience.

I certainly wouldn't rule acupuncture out, there really is no reason not to try. It's comfortable, in no way unpleasant.

Some years ago one of my parishioners had cancer, not sure of what kind, and she was in such pain that it hurt to have someone touch the bed.

The father of her son in law, an older doctor managing a group practice in a nearby village, suggested to some of his younger colleagues that they might want to learn acupuncture, but none were interested, so he did.

He gave the lady some treatments, don't recall how many, and she found that, though they didn't reduce the pain entirely, they provided substantial relief. I don't recall how long it lasted or how many treatments she had, but she was thankful for the measure of relief which she had.

Sorry that I can't offer more precise information.

ole joyful

I have had acupuncture for carpal tunnel after five (5) ... Yes .....five unsuccessful surgeries:(. I wish I had done the acupuncture first! I obtained so much relief from it that my hands felt so light and pain free that I felt like they were floating! My acupuncturist was associated with a hospital. I think it does depend who you go to also. As another benefit to the acupuncture....I have suffered from migraines since my teens and if I had a migraine, I would mention it and an additional few needles in some additional obscure spots and I would be also migraine free when I left the appointment. I suggest acupuncture now to anyone for carpal tunnel BEFORE they have any surgery....I wish that I had tried it first.

My husband is now going to try it for numbness in his feet due to the type of chemo he had. Unfortunately the numbness is still there despite trying the B vitamins and giving it some time to work out of his system. Hopefully he will get some benefit from it like I did....... Robin

Yes, I have had only 1 treatment and it worked wonders for my lumbar pain.

I would try it in a heartbeat but the insurance will not cover it. Right now I am suffering with 4 bulging disc & the pain is going from my back all the way down my leg to my ankle. Shots have not helped & PT is helping some. Maybe some day insurance will cover it.

It seems to work sometimes, and for some people, but not always and not for everyone. Unlike some alternative or unconventional treatment types, this may be one that there's nothing to lose in trying.

It could be the placebo effect, at work.

It may be alternative, but should not be considered unconventional. Most insurance companies cover acupuncture treatments. A properly trained and educated practitioner can work wonders for a wide variety of pain related problems and other issues. My own internist sent me to my practitioner; she has treatments herself.

I've taken treatments for my fibromyalgia with welcome relief. I also get occasional treatments for the painful edema I've suffered with as a side effect from one of the medications I've tried for my fibro. I get tremendous, long lasting relief after those visits.

My acupuncturist is Chinese and comes from a family steeped in traditional Chinese medicine. He is the fourth generation in this field....his son is the fifth. He is highly respected amongst the medical community.

I would almost consider myself an acupuncture junkie... I love it, and use it for almost every medical issue I have. I had a rash that covered 90% of my trunk---I visited three dermatologists, two allergists, my oncologist, my breast surgeon, and three GPs, all to no avail. I was LITERALLY begging for one of them to kill me, because I was in such pain and distress from the constant, incessant itching. I finally called an acupuncturist (he's actually an instructor in acupuncture at a local medical university). He did two treatments, three days apart, and the rash disappeared within hours of the second visit.

Don't knock it as "unconventional" because it's been around longer than chemical compounds that are developed solely to make a profit for drug manufacturers. :)

A few of us meet at church to discuss various issues covered by our non-official denominational magazine.

At our meeting today the subject of acupuncture came up, and one fellow has 4 pins in his neck that were placed to help pain in the spine and going down through the right arm into the middle finger. Not sure how long they've been there or when to be checked, etc.

He says that it has helped quite a lot.

Don't know how often he gets treatments or whether he's used such methods for a long time, other issues, etc.

Some medical plans cover the price, some don't.

ole joyful

I wish I had a Chinese acupuncturist. The first time I tried acupuncture, it was administered by an M.D.--an internist. He had taken a 6-week course in California and was so psyched to do it he was practically dancing around the room. He hooked the needle in my hand up to electrical current, and I believe the result was some nerve damage. The next morning I was unable to tuck in the sheets on my bed. I eventually had carpal tunnel surgery in that hand.

Years later I went to a much more experienced acupuncturist. I heard great things about her. She was expensive, but spent a lot of time with me. One of her treatments made me dramatically worse, which I suppose demonstrates the power of acupuncture, although not in a good way. After four treatments she told me I had so much inflammation in my body that I required long-term acupuncture. Although I wasn't completely confident in her abilities, I believe her about the inflammation. However, I can't afford anything long-term.

Unconventional isn't a knock, it's a neutral adjective.

Conventional medical treatments have to meet a standard of research and testing so that the mechanism involved in the treatment and the reason for effectiveness is understood and consistently demonstrated. Alternative medicine and unconventional treatments, of many sources but often of 3rd World or folk origin (like acupuncture), can be permitted even if effectiveness hasn't been demonstrated. Usually when it's expected that no harm is done.

As I said before, it seems to work for some people and some things and not for other people and other things. The underlying "theories" an acupuncturist will say treatments are based on have not been shown to be other than mumbo jumbo. The placebo effect was demonstrated long ago in many ways, including when sugar pills could be shown to relieve pain and cure certain medical problems and that could be what's at work with acupuncture. For some people.

Knowing my regular doctor would not approve, how does one locate a knowledgeably safe and reliable acupuncturist? Have tried through our hospital and also word-of-mouth with no luck.

If your "regular doctor" would not approve (and why not???), you need a better "regular doctor." I found my acupuncturist via word-of-mouth. He's awesome. If you're in the St. Louis area, let me know and I'll put you in touch with him. :)

love acupuncture. I started going to deal with my low energy from Hashimoto's. My energy level improved dramatically and my acid reflux is gone (no other drugs)

"... how does one locate a knowledgeably safe and reliable acupuncturist?"

One of my doctors is Board Certified in Family Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and Sports Medicine, and he is also a Certified Medical Acupuncturist. He did his acupuncture Fellowship at UCLA/Helms Institute, and he is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. There are some online resources you can check.

Medicare does not cover acupuncture, but our Medicare Supplement policy does. It only covers 20 visits per calendar year, though.

Medicare does not cover acupuncture, but our Medicare Supplement policy does.

I didn't realize a Medicare supplement might cover something not approved by Medicare. I have the AARP United Health Care supplement. It never occurred to me to ask if acupuncture was covered, especially since Medicare even limits chiropractor visits.

I haven't had it yet, but am considering it for continuing neck (muscular not spinal) pain. My massage therapist obtained her license last year after studying (under a Chinese master) for 3 years. She has explained a lot of it to me.

My Mom had it done years ago...She suffered terribly with HB pressure and the treatment really worked. Kind of funny, it worked so well, she had to go and have them bring the BP up a bit...We had a good laugh over that one...But, she had also had a hip replacement and it left her with a lot of pain and walked with a walker until she had the treatments and then didn't even need a cane...I think if you get a good doctor, one who knows what they at doing, this kind of treatment is wonderful....

Alisande -- Our supplement policy has a combined limit on chiropratic and acupuncture visits to 20 per year.

The Medicare.gov website says this (when checking "what's covered"): "Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers manual manipulation of the spine if medically necessary to correct a subluxation when provided by a chiropractor or other qualified provider."

Everyone with Medicare Part B is covered for this. The site also says:

"You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and the Part B deductible applies.

"You pay all costs for other services or tests ordered by a chiropractor (including X-rays and massage therapy)."

Our supplement policy has this statement regarding acupuncture in the Evidence of Coverage booklet:

"For this service, a Benefit Beyond Medicare is also available. Please see the 'Benefits Beyond Medicare' section of this booklet for details. In brief, in the specified situation, when benefits are not covered by Medicare, the Plan will pay 80% of allowed charges if you use an Anthem Blue Cross Preferred Provider. However, if you use a Non-Preferred Provider, the Plan will pay 80% of the Allowable Amount as determined by Anthem Blue Cross, and your responsibility will be 20% of the Allowable Amount plus any charges in excess of the Allowable Amount. See pages 13-14 for important information regarding Plan payments."

Then, when looking at the Benefits Beyond Medicare section of the booklet, it says:

"The PERSCare Supplemental Plan will provide the following coverage for Medically Necessary services and supplies when a Plan Member’s benefits under Medicare are exhausted, or when charges for the services and supplies outlined in this section exceed amounts covered by Medicare:

"1. Acupuncture or acupressure and chiropractic services. Acupuncture or acupressure services are covered when provided by a Health Professional to treat disease, illness or injury. Services include patient history visit, physical examination, treatment planning and evaluation, electro acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, or other services.

"Chiropractic services are covered when provided by a Health Professional to treat disease, illness or injury. Services include manipulation of the spine, joints and or musculoskeletal soft tissue, re-evaluation, or other services.

"A $15 copayment will apply for each acupuncture/acupressure or chiropractic services visit provided by a Health Professional. The combined maximum visits for acupuncture and chiropractic services are limited to 20 per Calendar Year."

Bottom line is, yes, you should definitely check your supplement policy!

Thanks, Lindsey! I'll definitely do that. Medicare used to allow 12 chiropractic visits per year, and you could use them for preventive care. Then some years ago they required that the visit be for treatment of pain. (I guess that's the "medically necessary" criteria.) You have to fill out forms rating your pain before and after the treatment. I wonder if anyone ever looks at them.