Anyone tried Dry Needling or Acupuncture for Pain or Neuropathy?

Hi, @judypall - I would be curious, too, if trying dry needling or acupuncture for neuropathy made my feet tingle more. Hoping other members can weigh in on the concept of going through a cycle of pain to get better with these therapies. I'd like to invite members who have talked about these modalities for various types of pain on Connect to weigh in on your experiences and these therapies and how they have worked for them, like @scgraham @awag @2011panc @mrhappy @nancgdav.

@judypall, are you scheduled for more of these treatments coming up soon?

I went through 3 months of PT and astym and dry needling were used in the last month. They reduced my pain about 10-15 % and was thankful for that. I heard other patients at the clinic say that dry needling completely cured their hip bursitis. I do not plan to do more PT unless there is a new technique the therapist can try (insurance calling the shots). I am desperate to find anything that might help.

Before I was finally diagnosed with PMR in my hips, I had a course of physical therapy, which included dry needling. It made my hip pain MUCH worse!! However, dry needling worked miracles on a shoulder injury I had last summer.
The ONLY thing I have found (except prednisone) that gives me any relief for my PMR hip pain is high quality CBD lotion. You have to make sure to know how much CBD is in the lotion as some of the stuff on the market is worthless. I am using a lotion that contains 100MG CBD. When I get hip pain in the middle of the night, I rub in some lotion and within 5-10 minutes I am PAIN FREE and can go back to sleep.

<p>18 sessions, twice a week and feeling it’s a waste of time and money. Still have good days and bad, trying PEA also, but would like to hear if acupuncture worked for anyone and perhaps I need to continue....? I guess trying one solution at a time is wiser. Thanks for sharing your experiences.</p>

My acupuncturist said that if I did not get relief after 3 sessions, to stop coming. I got no relief, so I left. I cannot believe they have done it so many times with you already. Perhaps different philosophies? Anyway, it did nothing for me, but I only tried it 3 times. Lori

I too tried acupuncture 4 times for back pain, and felt relief for that day. I woke up the next day same pain as usual everyday. So I too never went back.

@mlross4508 Good morning. My experience has taught me that this treatment, acupuncture, does not last for certain types of issues. Actually, my insurance company insisted that I try the following before they would approve my reverse shoulder surgery. (The first two surgeries, rotator repair, and cadaver grafts had not worked for what my surgeon called the Grand Canyon of holes.) 1. PT, he knew me well and although complying, said my pain was beyond his ability to have an impact with something that severe. Told me to come see him after surgery. 2. Pain pills. My local PCP gave me an RX even though he knew I was totally against opioids and would not take them. At least he could say he tried. 3. Acupuncture. The therapist was also a friend and she told me she could give me about 24 hours and then the pain would come rolling back.

I remember that my surgeon called the insurance company and sat on the floor with the phone for all the delays until he could get approval for the reverse. He kept saying, “ tried that”. So what was the problem? I was too young.

At this time, 2009, the reverse shoulder was new in the US. It was developed in France. Although approved here, the insurance companies were only approving it for folks 80 and older. Hopefully, any complications would not have time to show themselves before the person passed from other causes and would save them $$$.

He got approval for me at 68.......perhaps the youngest ever at that time. Together we watched a video of the surgery. Insurance insisted that an engineer from the company be present during the surgery. It was like being a special guest at a party when they rolled me into the surgical room. And lo and behold, the party continued after recovery.

The anesthesiologist showed up in my room. The surgeon came after his daughters swim meet and sat with me until he was nodding off in the chair. A nurse was at my side until I slept, without Ambien.

One more fact about this surgeon......he would do no more than two surgeries a day. He felt that he wanted to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for his patients. I honor everything he stood for. He has been an amazing resource for me and I ended up referring several other folks who had fallen down a mountain or something else just as risky. They are all climbing again. May you all find resources that free you from suffering. Chris

Well I was going to a 'community acupuncture center', so for all of July my sessions were only $10 each and other times I would pay $15 or $20. So not too much loss other than my driving time. The acupuncturist was saying because I’ve had it so long (18 mo.)🤔 it’s going to take a while. I bought that until last Thursday when my worst days were Thursday Friday Saturday but Sunday was better. I am 75 % sure I won’t return unless other members weigh in here and tip my decision towards continuing. Thanks to you three!

Just realized that I used a lot of words to respond to the post. Hmmm!

After spending a lot of time and money on different treatments including laser therapy, Acupuncture has been the only modality helping me with my intense feet pain. I couldn't even walk before Acupuncture. My 24/7 numbness and tingling continue as always. I still having pain, but the debilitating pain is under control. The first month I received treatment weekly then every 2 weeks, now I'm having it monthly. If I have an exacerbation of pain, I call my acupuncturist. Is very important to verify the Acupuncture Physician credentials and previous patients reviews. Not all Acupuncturists have the same education and treatment approach.