Before I was diagnosed with PMR and began taking prednisone, I tried a number of things including massage and acupuncture. Massage was good for about 10 minutes of relief. I had 3 acupuncture sessions. The first two gave some relief for a few hours but not what I needed. The 3rd treatment left me in worse shape than when I started. Thankfully I was finally diagnosed with PMR shortly after the 3rd treatment and began taking prednisone. Sure, there are/can be side effects from prednisone but it gave me back my life. No, I'm not at the level I once was but I have a decent quality of life and few limitations. Prior to prednisone I was almost limited to staying home and no longer working at all. You have to get the underlying inflammation under control and I don't see how massage or acupuncture can accomplish it. Obviously I am a big fan of prednisone. It's easy for those who haven't dealt with PMR to suggest all sorts of alternatives. My well meaning wife, friends and relatives all did the same, but they couldn't truly understand what a person with PMR was dealing with.

Hi @lanieg, You will notice we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here:
--- Acupuncture and PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acupuncture-and-pmr/.

I see that you have already connected with @raven1955 and I'm hoping other members who have tried acupuncture will also share their experience.

I have tried both acupuncture and deep tissue massage. At first the acupuncture amazingly gave me a day or two of pain relief, but it always returned. Unfortunately, this only lasted a few times. I thought I had found the answer! Same with massage. Pretty much anything I've done alternatively (and I've done SO MANY modalities!), if it worked, it only worked for a day or two. And then lost effectiveness as I continued.

I have used massage…which is lovely. And reiki. But also tapering off prednisone. My complimentary choices have been eating gluten free, exercising daily, and flax seed oil.