Acupuncture....does it really work? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Acupuncture....does it really work?

173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 09:45

Hello ladies, I have been sick for quite a while now (I have an undiagnosed autoimmune disease) and I am desperate to be healthy again. I am now on a very strict healthy diet, have cut the booze out, started getting more excercise and I am on the slow road back to recovery.

Since I have been sick I have started looking at 'alternative/complimentary medicine' and I heard from a friend that acupuncture can help with various health issues and I would like to give it a go. So my questions are are; 1. have you had acupuncture and if so, has it helped with any health issues you may have had? 2. who do you go to see out here? and 3. is it expensive?

Many thanks xxx
<em>edited by MollyMooMoo on 16/09/2014</em>

118
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 11:40
Hi MollyMooMoo, sorry to hear you are suffering, and obviously as everyone else has said I agree that a Doctor's opinion is always a good idea. However , I also understand the need to try the alternatives to drugs as well, as long as not life threatening which appears to be the case for you at the moment. this may sound totally ridiculous but have you looked into the benefits of Tumeric for arthritis? i have a problem with my knees and a friend suggested I look this up, particularly tumeric golden paste, I have no idea if it is coincidence or not but since starting to take it regularly my knee problems are resolving. There is no harm done either way, I think the only caution when taking it is if you are on blood thinners and prior to surgery. However, there you are, it may be nothing but then again it may compliment what you are already doing, in this case, no harm in trying it! Good luck with all, but if you are in any doubt about your symptoms....back to the doctor!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 11:23
Hello ladies, I have been sick for quite a while now (I have an undiagnosed autoimmune disease) and I am desperate to be healthy again. I am now on a very strict healthy diet, have cut the booze out, started getting more excercise and I am on the slow road back to recovery. Since I have been sick I have started looking at 'alternative/complimentary medicine' and I heard from a friend that acupuncture can help with various health issues and I would like to give it a go. So my questions are are; 1. have you had acupuncture and if so, has it helped with any health issues you may have had? 2. who do you go to see out here? and 3. is it expensive? Many thanks xxx edited by MollyMooMoo on 16/09/2014 Why dont you try see a naturopath, highly recommend Heather Eade at Intelligent health clinic, sunset mall
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2015 - 18:47
Hello ladies, I have been sick for quite a while now (I have an undiagnosed autoimmune disease) and I am desperate to be healthy again. I am now on a very strict healthy diet, have cut the booze out, started getting more excercise and I am on the slow road back to recovery. Since I have been sick I have started looking at 'alternative/complimentary medicine' and I heard from a friend that acupuncture can help with various health issues and I would like to give it a go. So my questions are are; 1. have you had acupuncture and if so, has it helped with any health issues you may have had? 2. who do you go to see out here? and 3. is it expensive? Many thanks xxx edited by MollyMooMoo on 16/09/2014 Hi, Moomoo such a cute name. sorry to hear that for you. I think in your case it's not bad to try Chinese medicine doctors. The treatment like cupping, acupuncture and moxibustion is actually working on the whole body system. I visit Dr. Huafei Li for many years since I move to Dubai. He always suprises me :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 13:24
You're welcome. I'm glad you said you'd like to try a few sessions. I always feel worse before I feel better! After 5 - 6 sessions my body starts to rebalance & I start to feel great.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 13:24
MMM Oh that's awful, I see where you are coming from now. Have you looked at Hydrotherapy or physiotherapy specific to your needs? This may be more beneficial, esp if there is a massage element. Or even gentle swimming? There is Up and Running on AL Wasal road, they have a full range of treatments and specialists who may be able to suggest a plan of action to help mobility. <em>edited by Lolacat on 16/09/2014</em>
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 13:16
@jeano thank you for letting me know about the world arthritis day, I will try and make it if I can. @janet - thanks for your post and contact no's, that was really kind of you to take the time to do that. I just want to try a few session to see if it is for me or not. I am glad that the treatment is working for you. x
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 13:05
Hi Molly Moo Moo I wish you every luck in getting yourself back up to full strength. I know, from personal experience, what a long & painful struggle it can be. I too had a condition which was difficult to diagnose, was put on medication which totally screwed me up & have finally gained control & relief by combining acupuncture & chiropractic treatment with medical care from hospital & Dr Yin Rundell at Dubai Physiotherapy Med Clinic who is truly marvellous. I've had acupuncture here & in the UK & it absolutely works for me. Reflexology didn't! Dr Zheng at The King China Acupuncture Centre in Satwa was recommended to me by my previous acupuncturist Dr Chen who left Dubai. She's extremely good & offers both costs per session or a package of 10 sessions of acupuncture & cupping for 2,300 dhs which are covered on my health insurance. I don't think insurance cos. would cover acupuncture if it didn't have any merit. Her mob is 050 6988637. I'm not too sure whether seeing a chiropractor would help your condition. However if it does, Dr Gary Fitzgerald near Choitrams & Al Safa Vets on Al Wasl Rd is brilliant. His practice no. is 04 348 4406 Best of luck ;-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 11:59
Hi there MollyMooMoo Admin, this is from personal experience and not advertising. Just to let you know that Emirates Arthritis Foundation will hold World Arthritis Day on Friday 10 October 2014 at Radisson Royal Hotel SZR 10am-8pm. Last years event was held at Ritz Carlton DIFC and was an excellent day. It's helpful and informative to be amongst those who have similar health issues. This year there will be staggered events during the day: Stretching and deep breathing exercises noon Info on weight loss with Harvard qualified expert doctor Juicing demo Round table discussion with doctors and patients Relaxation techniques with aromatherapy Health nutrition for arthritis and elimination diets Fitness training by fitness experts Breathing and stretching exercises There is also Juvenile Arthritis Forum being held at Cafe Ceramique on 11 October 2014 from 10am - 12 noon. It
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 11:32
Thank you darlingboys for the link x
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 11:28
Lola thanks for your reply. I should have explained my situation a bit better. I have seen numerous rheumatologists both here and in the UK but not one can diagnosis me. I have been on every autoimmune suppressant drug there is along with NSAIDS and steriods but the majority made me sick (or ended up damaging my liver). I was so sick of being 'sick' I decided to come off the drugs for 2 months (as a trial basis) over the Summer and change my lifestyle completely. I now follow a strict Alkaline Diet (this is bl**dy hard as all I dream about are md's cheeseburgers and white wine), I excercise and slowly but surely I am getting better. Although I still get the odd bad day,I can now get off from the sofa without looking like an old woman who has just had a hip replacement. I would never solely rely on alternative medicine (I too have lost someone close who chose to go go down that path). I am 70% better and I just would like to get up to 75% and thought acupuncture might help me to get there. Thanks for all your posts ladies. edited by MollyMooMoo on 16/09/2014 <em>edited by MollyMooMoo on 16/09/2014</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 11:16
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jul/26/acupuncture-sceptics-proof-effective-nhs "It is disappointing that patients are encouraged to try acupuncture for conditions where there is painfully weak evidence of benefit, but the real danger is that this is the thin end of the wedge," he says. "Patients are steered toward therapists who may be acting irresponsibly. Some acupuncturists make a series of absurd claims, claiming to treat everything from hay fever to depression, infertility, tinnitus and 'children's health'. Such acupuncturists," he says, "offer nothing more than hope in exchange for a great deal of cash."
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 10:54
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jul/26/acupuncture-sceptics-proof-effective-nhs
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 10:21
Agree with lolakitty - go see a Dr first and then if you choose to see an accupuncturist after you have a firm diagnosis go and see a Medical Dr who does accupuncture. I have seen Dr Jason at YIng and Yang in Village mall.
2738
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 10:14
Acupuncture for certain issues has been proven in the medical world to be beneficial, not every time but a % increase that cannot hurt and is worth a try (dependent on condition). However your post states you have an undiagnosed auto immune disease and from what I am reading you are trying to rectify this via diet and alternative medicine. I would urge you to be very very cautious going down the alternative route and urge you to find a diagnosis via scientifically based medicine and with that information find out which treatments are available. I have over the years lost too many friends now who have followed the alternative route either due to desperation or some belief that alternative medicine could cure and would be a better choice than scientifically based medicine. The terribly sad part is that of course none worked, one friend would have survived and not left three small children motherless had she treated her breast cancer conventionally rather than choosing alternative medicine. The cost of alternative medicine is outrageously high and often performed by people who have no formal medical training. So I would be very careful in where you source your acupuncture and research thoroughly as to whether it has actually any benefit in treating your undiagnosed condition and that you are not just throwing money away for something that may have absolutely no benefit whatsoever. <em>edited by Lolacat on 16/09/2014</em>
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 10:12
Darlingboys thank you so much for your reply. I have never even considered reflexology, that sounds really interesting....do you see someone out here?
100
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 09:59
Hi Molly MooMoo, sorry to hear you're unwell. I've had acupuncture here and at home for PMS and digestion problems. I've only ever had a few sessions and honestly cant say whether it helped or not. I actually find reflexology very helpful. My sisters though and my Mum have had it and all swear by it. They committed to it and really feel it was beneficial. For my Mum it was for arthritis and for my sisters it was for fertility. Acupuncture is actually prescribed by medical doctors at home now and covered by some insurance providers as its considered legitimate and steeped in solid research. There is a lady here called Dr. Ou (search this site) who was recommended to me and at the time (2 years ago) she used to come to your house. Best of luck to you, I think complimentary/alternative therapies can be extremely helpful :)
 
 

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