I have small fiber neuropathy in my legs, and I’ve tried acupuncture. I would say I had a net positive gain, but the improvement was modest. The immediate noticeable effect was more that I felt much calmer and my body felt so much less tense. My symptoms initially got worse immediately after the first few treatments, but then got better or went back to my baseline. I have central sensitivity (brain/nervous system is very reactive to new things) though and that might be why. I would say it took at least a month if once weekly sessions for me to notice an improvement.

Working with my acupuncturist also introduced me to topical peppermint oil for my neuropathy, which I started applying every night when my symptoms were worst and that helped.

Now that I’m thinking about it, the other [non-medication] thing that seemed to improve my neuropathy is graded motor imagery, specifically right/left discrimination. This sounds weird, but for some people in chronic pain, the brain loses a strong connection with the most painful parts of the body, in an effort to mute the pain (like stories of how a person sprains their ankle running from a bear, they might not feel it because their brain is prioritizing running from the bear and minimizes the pain signals). But that can cause more pain if it’s a continuous thing because it’s only meant for a short term protective measure.

Anyway, one evidence based way to improve that connection, which can improve the experience of chronic pain in some people is with graded motor imagery. There are different stages, but I got a lot out of right/left discrimination. My PT made me flashcards and there’s also an app where you see photos of a foot or leg and need to identify if it’s the left or right limb. The “normative” value is healthy people can identify it correctly in less than 2 seconds and be accurate at least 80% of the time. The first time my PT tested me I was at like 30% accurate with the leg app.

I know it sounds strange, but it helped me. I thought I’d mention since you might be interested in a non-prescription option. This blog explains it well: https://www.pathways.health/what-is-graded-motor-imagery-and-how-can-it/

The most common app used is called Recognise. There are different apps for different body parts (the one annoying thing is I’m affected in multiple body parts and you have to pay for each different app).

But yes, back to your question, lol acupuncture did help me somewhat lol. It was worth it to me.

Hi @piatkowskisc, You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic so that you can meet @kd59, @pamelaz, @wisfloj, @summertime4 and others. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can learn what others have shared.
--- Anyone tried Dry Needling or Acupuncture for Pain or Neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-needling-or-acupuncture/

I felt acupuncture was helpful. It’s hard to describe the release of tension and the relaxation I felt almost immediately. With that came reduction of some discomfort. This acupuncture wasn’t being promoted as a life long or long-term therapy, just 5 sessions. However, I can see me going back a couple of times per year perhaps for that positive relaxing effect.