Anyone tried Dry Needling or Acupuncture for Pain or Neuropathy?

@palmorejs Have you tried myofascial release? It can help. I do this myself for a different nerve entrapment issue and it helps me a lot. It is listed as being able to help pundental nerve issues. Here is our discussion where you can find lots of information. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

How has the pulseless electrical activity (PEA) gone for you thus far, @burningfeetinphoenix?

That's not the PEA I am using. I am taking Palmitoythanolamide (PEA) capsules and and ordered the topical PEA that is now being manufactured in the US. According to another member, it takes a while for the PEA to work. I have been on it less than 2 weeks. I am hopeful. There are many good papers and studies on it, Has been used for years in Europe and the UK as have many of these alternative treatments...Do you know anything about the Calmare machine (AKA "Scrambler")? I've have read some good studies on it and one paper by Thomas Smith from John Hopkins and it is endorsed by him and the Mayo... seems promising. My podiatrist had one. Thanks, Pam

Pam, I had 20 sessions of Calmare/Scrambler therapy. Ten at one time, and then 10 about a month later. It lowered my pain from about a 7-9 on the pain scale, to about a 5-6, on the pain scale. I also have pain much less often. What it did not do, is help odd neuropathic things that I have in my toes. My toes still feel oddly stretched, yanked, exhausted, etc. I feel like I have socks bunched in my shoes at times, or other odd feelings. However, all in all, I am in much less pain, and that is wonderful. Good luck.... Lori Renee

@burningfeetinphoenix - thanks for clarifying the PEA you are using for treatment.

Glad @lorirenee1 connected with you here about the Calmare/Scrambler therapy. Here is another whole discussion on that therapy, if you want to check it out https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/calmare-scrambler-therapy-anyone/

This is written for medical professionals, but here is the abstract of a multicenter analysis of predictive factors of success (or not) for Calmare/Scrambler therapy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25232861

Are you considering pursuing this therapy?

Right now I am just researching alternatives. Just diagnosed with SFN. Learning a lot. My Dr wants to do Exosome injections. Even more pricey...thanks for sharing this info. Very helpful.

I did do acupuncture but once every other month been more than six months since I had one done

@jacobwill - did the acupuncture give you any relief from the neuropathy?

I have had 2 sessions of acupuncture a week apart. My neuropathy is chemo induced. I am starting chemo again this week. The idea behind me having this is to prevent the neuropathy from worsening with additional chemo as much as helping reduce it. I don’t know how long I will last trying it. Medicare won’t cover it and acupuncture at Mayo Clinic isn’t cheap. I can’t say that it has helped the existing neuropathy at all so far. In fact, I’m trying very hard to convince myself that it isn’t slightly worse even before this next round of chemo starts. But my life has been all out of whack due to traveling for a family funeral and the addition of multiple dr. Appts. I haven’t been able to walk as much so perhaps that's responsible.
I don’t know how many needles she is using. She has put some in my ears, from my elbows down and my lower legs down. I had no idea what to expect. It doesn’t hurt at all but I’m not convinced it will help. I wonder if being a nonbeliever makes a difference like if you believe it won’t work, it doesn’t?

cwm1@cwm1 I too am trying acupuncture. I had my first session last Wed and I go for a 2nd session today. My first session was more uncomfortable than it should have been. She put needles in my head and it did hurt. I didn't say anything until she came back into the room. My head, my eyes, my teeth, and my head were hurting. I told her and she said it was my sinus as the needles did something. I really don't know what she said, but anyhow I am going back today with an open mind. It is expensive and she does not take insurance. With my pain from neuropathy, fibromyalgia, lymphedema.I am willing to give it a try. While I am here, can anyone tell me about lymphedema and what they are doing for it. I have it in my left leg. The doctors are saying it is idiopathic just ass they say my neuropathy is. I don't have diabetes and have not had cancer. I find it concerning that I have two medical conditions that they say are idiopathic. The doctors really did little testing to look for a reason for both conditions. Have you are other group members have this issue.