1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Acupuncture and PMR

Posted by gjc111 @gjc111, Feb 17, 2022

Has anyone tried or had any luck with acupuncture treating their pain and symptoms with acupuncture?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

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lanieg | @lanieg | May 28, 2023
In reply to @virginiaj "I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for virginiaj @virginiaj

I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In a conversation with the acupuncturist, she mentioned that she saw someone with an autoimmune disease and it actually got worse because accupuncture can make the immune system stronger. I had weird symptoms after several sessions of accupuncture. The day after the session, I had jaw pain one time and sciatica the next. Not too long after that PMR was back and I think it was underlying at the time. (The accupuncture was intended for a sore knee)

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Thanks for your post. My PCP also told me that. Guess prednisone is the best choice.

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grammy82 | @grammy82 | May 28, 2023
In reply to @virginiaj "I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for virginiaj @virginiaj

I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In a conversation with the acupuncturist, she mentioned that she saw someone with an autoimmune disease and it actually got worse because accupuncture can make the immune system stronger. I had weird symptoms after several sessions of accupuncture. The day after the session, I had jaw pain one time and sciatica the next. Not too long after that PMR was back and I think it was underlying at the time. (The accupuncture was intended for a sore knee)

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Thanks for sharing that...so important to tell others about our experiences. 💞

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anniekirby | @anniekirby | May 28, 2023
In reply to @virginiaj "I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for virginiaj @virginiaj

I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In a conversation with the acupuncturist, she mentioned that she saw someone with an autoimmune disease and it actually got worse because accupuncture can make the immune system stronger. I had weird symptoms after several sessions of accupuncture. The day after the session, I had jaw pain one time and sciatica the next. Not too long after that PMR was back and I think it was underlying at the time. (The accupuncture was intended for a sore knee)

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I have also posted about this in the past but will mention it again here as I had the same experience. I tried traditional Chinese acupuncture for my PMR and it got much worse. Unfortunately my practitioner’s command of English was not good enough to discuss it even when I was crying out with pain! I later found out that yes, it’s because the immune system is strengthened as you say. I also heard there is special training for treating autoimmune conditions but I was done!

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suemce | @suemce | May 29, 2023
In reply to @virginiaj "I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for virginiaj @virginiaj

I may have posted this previously, but I tried accupuncture before my latest PMR diagnosis. In a conversation with the acupuncturist, she mentioned that she saw someone with an autoimmune disease and it actually got worse because accupuncture can make the immune system stronger. I had weird symptoms after several sessions of accupuncture. The day after the session, I had jaw pain one time and sciatica the next. Not too long after that PMR was back and I think it was underlying at the time. (The accupuncture was intended for a sore knee)

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When I did acupuncture during the course of my PMR I noticed it helped with the insomnia when I was at about 7-10 mg prednisone. I also noticed it reduced some of the random pain at different places around the body especially lower legs.

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kberlyhouse | @kberlyhouse | Jun 2, 2023
In reply to @lanieg "Friends without PMR have suggested I try acupuncture and/or massage to decrease my pain. Have any..." + (show)
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Friends without PMR have suggested I try acupuncture and/or massage to decrease my pain. Have any of you tried these alternatives to meds or in addition to meds?

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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.

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lanieg | @lanieg | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @kberlyhouse "I have tried both acupuncture and deep tissue massage. At first the acupuncture amazingly gave me..." + (show)
Profile picture for kberlyhouse @kberlyhouse

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.

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Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sorry it only lasted a few days. Based on the posts here I've decided not to try acupuncture. This is my 5th autoimmune disease and I can't risk another one.
Thanks to all of you that have responded. Most people mean well and want to help but don't know what it means to walk in our shoes.
Blessings to all!

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nancy53 | @nancy53 | Feb 8, 2024
In reply to @mbcavallo "Recently diagnosed with PMR. Researching all options for treatment. Has anyone used Acupuncture to help reduce..." + (show)
Profile picture for mbcavallo @mbcavallo

Recently diagnosed with PMR. Researching all options for treatment.
Has anyone used Acupuncture to help reduce pain?

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Yes, I've had 4 sessions and have less pain.

The primary benefit I've had is the reduction of inflammation.

It's worth every penny.

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lanieg | @lanieg | Feb 8, 2024
In reply to @nancy53 "Yes, I've had 4 sessions and have less pain. The primary benefit I've had is the..." + (show)
Profile picture for nancy53 @nancy53

Yes, I've had 4 sessions and have less pain.

The primary benefit I've had is the reduction of inflammation.

It's worth every penny.

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Thank you! Good to hear.

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54pontiac | @54pontiac | Feb 9, 2024
In reply to @kberlyhouse "I have tried both acupuncture and deep tissue massage. At first the acupuncture amazingly gave me..." + (show)
Profile picture for kberlyhouse @kberlyhouse

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.

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My experience as well. Some relief for a few hours or days, but then back to where I was. This was before I was diagnosed and started prednisone which was a miracle. I am on another PMR list which asked the same question. I was the only one out of dozens of responses that had any relief at all from acupuncture.

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nancy53 | @nancy53 | Feb 10, 2024
In reply to @anniekirby "I have had extensive acupuncture in the past year treatment post Prednisone. I decided this week..." + (show)
Profile picture for anniekirby @anniekirby

I have had extensive acupuncture in the past year treatment post Prednisone. I decided this week to stop for a while as I had a PMR flare up and the pain from the needles was excruciating. At best I found acupuncture increased my energy and gave temporary pain relief. I’m not sure how much it helps the underlying inflammation. I used a traditional Chinese practitioner but there are many others who practice and some may be more helpful than others. Definitely worth trying it in my opinion.

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My treatments at first were specifically targeting inflammation. It worked wonders! I go every two weeks for maintenance and know it has really helped me.

I feel a bit drained the next day, like a demon has been exorcised!

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