Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hyeon Een]

I have a chronic form of shoulder pain which I will probably get treated with acupuncture.

On the whole, I'm pretty much a sceptic with regards to 'alternative' medicine. If someone recommended I get aromatherapy I'd probably give them a slap and tell them to stop wasting my time. If my girlfriend's mother gave me traditional medicine for a cold I'd take it politely but expect few results. If the Korean health people would prescribe massages at 안마s I'd be an immediate convert and go everyday.

I believe that there is "medicine" and "everything else in the world". There is no "alternative medicine" in my book. If something cures you, it is medicine. If it doesn't cure you, it's not. If you coincidentally get better at the same time it's not medicine. If there was ever a placebo that was 100% successful I'd stick that in my "medicine" column but there hasn't been and won't ever be one.

Despite my sceptecism towards 'funny' medicine I've personally heard a lot of good, first-hand things about acupuncture. I won't entirely make up my mind for myself until I have it successfuly (or not) treat me, but in the mean time I'm interested in hearing about other people's experiences in terms of a poll.

I'm aware that there is already another thread about acupuncture however I want this one to include a poll and to be about specific experiences. On the other thread Mindemetoo is dismissing acupuncture as quackery, and whilst I agree with most of his other dismissals of similar things (Christianity and the like) this is one on which I have no specific opinion as of yet.

As I said earlier, I intend to try acupuncture on a chronic shoulder injury I have. If it 'cures' it I will be convinced there is merit. If it doesn't I'll probably be convinced there isn't merit. The kind of injury I have is one that has been touted many times by pro-acupuncturists as one that has been cured frequently, so I'm looking forward to my experiences.

As yet, I remain open-minded. I'll report back in a few weeks when I get round to having some needles jabbed into me.

In the mean time I'd like you to vote about your personal experiences with acupuncture. If you don't have a personal experience, please don't vote and just make comments instead. Thanks.

[seoulsucker]

I've had problems with my sciatic nerve due to some misalignment in my lower back for the past 6 years. It's no fun. A horrible cramped feeling in the outer hip and shooting pain down to the knee.

However, after a month of weekly accupuncture last year, I have only had a couple of days of any pain at all. This was also in addition to some massage therapy, stretching, and electric stimulation of some kind, mind you...but the treatment worked for me.

It's very cheap to get done here. Why not give it a shot?

[Hyeon Een]

[anyway]

I also have a chronic pain, plantar fasicitis (sp??) in one heel, and tried acupuncture one time since it was free and in my own home (one of my students was a licensed practitioner).

I tell you, the pain of the treatment was not slight. I don't know how far he pushed the needles in me, but my wife indicated about 1/4 inch at the most. If that wasn't bad enough, there was significant discomfort from the 'current' flowing from my body, generated by the needles. The really painful part was after he finished the treatment (30 mins?) and I stood up. I quickly discovered he had forgotten one of the needles in my foot!!

I was amazed that I did feel better for a few weeks afterward. Give it a try, but you've got to approach it with an open mind.

[PeterDragon]

From the sounds of your experience, anyway, it sounds like you've also gotta try it with a competent doctor. I've actually never had acupuncture in Korea, but I had it in America a few of times as a kid after injuring myself tree climbing/doing stunts on my bicycle/other reckless childhood activities.

When done properly, it seems to be a fairly good pain killer. My mother is a licensed physician and proponent of acupuncture. She explains its effectiveness scientifically--- that strategically distributing small amounts of pain to other parts of the body can reroute the nervous system from a central source of pain or discomfort, and that pinching off certain nerves can do the same.

I don't know if that's the Eastern explanation though; not too knowledgeable on medicine, alternative or otherwise.

[Temporary]

yey Voodoo medicine. Until there are proven studies of these practices I will stick to excercise and western medicine.

Its amazing what a healthy and stong muscle system will do for you.

[the_beaver]

I half recall a study done on acupuncture that found that it is successful in relieving pain, although not at curing the underlying problems.

[NightSky]

[NightSky]

[IlIlNine]

Even though your poll is completely biased, the results speak for themselves.

If I had some kind of chronic pain, I'd try it.

If I had cancer, it's off to the regular docs...

[SirFink]

[dr. love]

When dealing with chronic conditions that western medicine has little solutions to, Oriental Medicine is worth a try.

I have the opportunity to work everyday with these doctors, who are considered the best in their field, and I have gained nothing but respect for their ability to treat chronic long term conditions.

Whether it is chronic pain, allergies, facial palsy, digestive problems and even chemo-failure cancer patients, I have seen some incredible results. This is not voodoo and there is serious research being done to prove the validity of these treatments.

Oriental Medical doctors know the limits of their treatments and they do not hesitate to recommend a patient visit the over 100 MD's in our hospital when they see a problem they cannot treat.

I understand why many people are skeptical of oriental medicine coming from our background of western medical science. I was skeptical at first as well. However, after benefiting from the expertise of the doctors in our hospital and seeing the results of their treatments with our patients, I changed my opinion.

[Scarlet13]

One day I sat down on my bed and found I could no longer move my neck or twist in any direction without intense pain. I spent the night on the floor and the next day I could barely get up. I went to work and my boss told me I had to go to the hospital...but the hospital was closed for lunch, that's right the entire hospital. So I went to the oriental clinic in my building.

He used 11 needles, and yes they do hurt-a lot and those suction cups, those also hurt. When I went to work an hour later the pain was gone. I went back the following two days to finish the treatment. The whole experience was really nice and relaxing in spite of the pain. I would do it again.




These were taken about the 2 day of treatment. They were much worse in person, but it was worth it.

[Hyeon Een]

[Hyeon Een]