Weakness, tingling, hand coordination, paresthesia

@craigjulian, First a big thanks for your front lines work with Covid patients. That added stress for your own health safety would make most of us twitch all over!

Probably most of us are nodding our heads in vigorous agreement at "going down the rabbit hole" in searching Dr. Google for help with health issues!

Years ago, after exhausting traditional docs' prescribed muscle relaxers for a back injury which left me so zonked I couldn't go to work, I was desperate for relief. Despite my fear, I made myself go to a chiropractor who was also trained in acupuncture. She used acupuncture on me exclusively and made me a believer in it for life! Now whenever a sudden back flare up occurs, I head straight for the relief of acupuncture.

She also explained how experiencing constant pain increases tension which aggravates the pain and suggested I try some relaxation techniques including massage and guided meditations. While each of us is different and a treatment plan won't work the same for each, I will always be grateful to that chiropractor/acupuncturist/counselor both for her physical treatment and for starting me on the path of more physical and emotional comfort during times of stress. Wishing you support, relief and comfort in your search for help.

@fiesty76 I,be been wanting to try accunpuncture but with covid haven't yet instead I use Tapping which is accupressure on certain body parts this does help but when I can going to one do they charge alot?

@craigjulian- I commend you for going an “alternative” approach. I put alternative in quotes, because I find it interesting that many modalities like this are deemed alternative in the US. I also find it interesting that people are more fearful of an acupuncturist, whom typically has a calming, peaceful environment for you, but people will see a medical doctor under striking fluorescent bright lights in a rushed, disgruntled environment. People are more open to swallowing a pill that effects every single cell in their body, yet more reluctant to have a small pin put into their skin, where at most you say ouch, it’s removed and the feeling is gone.

And the way you describe how the acupuncturist took the time to discuss how the mechanism of pain affects the body is really how it should always be done from the start.
A WHOLE body approach.
A pill from an MD will mask for a little while, causing another unwanted side effect. It will never take away your stress or calm the nervous system.

If anyone wants a more positive rabbit hole to go down, study the thousands of years of eastern medicine, specifically yoga, acupuncture chi gong, meditation and the “whys” it is effective.

There is a reason why the US is the most unhealthy country with the most money in health “care”. People have been trained to think a white coat and a pill is the answer.

Happy for you that you have found support and comfort!

@lioness, Like so many other services, acupuncture charges probably differ depending on the locale, individual practitioner and length of each session. However, both the orig. chiropractor/acupuncturist and current one charge less than an office visit to a traditional doc and about the same as what my dental hygienist charges. After the first retired, I called the current one to ask her charge and it was similar to what I pay for an hour massage.

@borkoksg-this is accurate. If more people understood this, they could save themselves from this cycle and work on the real problem at hand. Googling symptoms and seeking answers from people who are also googling symptoms, will keep you stuck.
Stress/Anxiety manifests in the body. If this emotion is not addressed, then starts the bodily symptoms.
Where the mind goes, the energy flows.
Work on your thoughts first. The last place you need to be is a doctors office for health anxiety. Doctors actually make a lot of money off of people who can not trust themselves and their body.
Work from within and address the patterns you have created that are not serving you.
Cheers to you for learning this and taking a real approach to help yourself.

@nrd1 I agree. Googling symptoms can add to anxiety and added stress. Having said that, it is human nature to seek and share experiences when searching for answers like is done here on Mayo Clinic Connect between members. I do really like your saying... "Where the mind goes, the energy flows."

Can you share with others what works well for you when you learn something challenging, particularly with regard to your health, and don't know what do to first/next?

@fiesty76 Good to know thanks .

@amandajro-Yes! And in fact thank you for asking.
If you go back and read the original post to this thread, the member gives a clear picture of what they’ve been experiencing. Stress.
-Someone who is suffering from so much stress to where it shows up in the body, will often end up going to multiple doctor visits, having tests that further perpetuate their situation. This does nothing for the mind, which then does nothing for the body.
A person can not get to a calm state , because they, as well as doctors keep them on the hunt with referrals and tests until they’ve exhausted themselves or perhaps got themselves into a worse off situation by a doctor who just wants to diagnose them with something/anything.
-Stress causes inflammation, tension and lowers the immune system. People will want to seek help for the symptoms, but are missing the root cause of it all.
Almost all (almost) dis-ease is a result of stress.
-80% of all PCP/ER visits with complaints of headache or chest pain, are due to stress and lifestyle.
-Doctors can’t tell this to a patient because they are often afraid to be held liable for advising a patient to relax, when a patient is seeking a diagnosis or prescription.
-When someone finds themselves googling or found of a forum that has people joining in doing the same thing, this also does nothing for their mind.
-I see many recommendations to patients experiencing stress, from people who keep encouraging them to get more and more tests, see more and more doctors, and try more and more medications. Or even throwing out all kinds of random possibilities of what they could have. Sending them on more google hunts.

-A big component I see missing in some of the support is the disconnect that people have from their mind/body. It is all connected. The placebo effect is real. People can literally, think themselves into a condition.

-The answer to stress does not lie in a specialist/MD.

-Lifestyle changes need to be addressed/recommended.

-Questions need to be asked to the individual.
What is your current daily schedule?
Sleep? Nutrition? Vitamins/Minerals? Excercise?
Movement? Free time? Hobbies? What do you do to relax? What is your support system like? What is your community like? What brings you joy? Do you have a pet? What are you passions? Etc...

-Recommendations of gratitude journaling, being in nature, getting at least 20 minutes of sunlight, grounding, creating, laughter, movement that puts you back into touch with your body, yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, acupuncture.

-The mind/body are one in the same. We live in a disembodied culture. This type of culture is the bread and butter of business for a doctor.

-Encouraging people to regain control of their intuition and innate wisdom.

-Life coaches can be great for this. Or someone to encourage better coping skills. Joining a community that encourages movement and connectivity to oneself and the body.

-A WHOLE body approach. Is all I ever try to provide with the support I offer.