EDGEWATER ACUPUNCTURE
  • Home
  • New Patients
  • Shop
  • Video Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Safety

How do I know acupuncture is working for my chronic pain?

5/22/2019

2 Comments

 
Prescription pain medication “numbs” you out.  Acupuncture works differently.  Acupuncture is more like a crockpot than a microwave - it works slowly through and through rather than heating you up quick and leaving hot spots in the middle.  Sometimes people are unsure if acupuncture is working or not.  Frequently when a person has a chronic pain condition they shut off the connection to their body as a survival mechanism so it can be hard to know! Here’s how to tell the acupuncture is working.

Are you taking less pain medication?
This is a big one. If you are able to drop a dose, wait longer between doses or forget to take it those are all good signs!  You may still be feeling pain however needing less or a less strong medication is a sign your body is healing.

Do you notice a change in the location, frequency and/or intensity of the pain?
Did the area of the pain get smaller?  If your whole back hurt and now its just your upper back that is a sign you are getting better.  Do you get headaches twice a week instead of daily? That is a very good sign.  Has the overall pain level decreased?  Again, good news!

Do you feel relief right after the treatment but then it “wears off”?
This is a good sign. Keep coming back! As you get more acupuncture your body will become more stable and the relief will last longer and longer. This is why we recommend coming more often in the beginning of treatment - an ideal minimum is twice a week for moderate to severe conditions.  Your body is in a habit right now and it’s going to take some time for it to learn how to do something new. Stick with it, it’s working!

Are you able to do more?
Maybe you’re able to forget about your pain sometimes.  Maybe simple things like grocery shopping or going down the stairs is easier.  Can you walk a little farther before having to sit down?  Is getting dressed easier?  Can you get down on the floor and play with your grandkids and be able to get back up again?  Is your pain not interfering with your life as much? Acupuncture is working. Keep going!

Do you feel better overall?

Are you smiling a little bit more? Feel a little more hopeful? Is your anxiety or brain fog better? Living with chronic pain can be exhausting and depressing - sometimes an improved mood is the first sign acupuncture is working.  So if you’re feeling a little less grumpy - keep coming back!

Acupuncture is a great tool to manage chronic pain because it not only helps to reduce pain, it also helps with energy level, mood, sleep and stress which can worsen chronic pain conditions.  It also has no side effects and feels pretty amazing!  A person’s tolerance to pain decreases when they aren’t getting enough sleep and are stressed out for example.  Life seems more overwhelming and we have less ability to manage it when we aren’t feeling well.  Our bodymindspirit is interconnected, what affects one area of us, affects all. 
2 Comments
Kristofer Van Wagner link
4/18/2021 10:55:48 am

I am thankful that this post shared with us that acupuncture is excellent at aiding us to manage chronic pain. The other day my sister-in-law mentioned that she has been suffering from carpal tunnel. I will advise her to give acupuncture a chance since she would like to reduce her medicine intake.

Reply
Meaghan Massella
4/19/2021 06:51:37 am

I'm glad you found our blog helpful! I'm excited for your sister-in-law to get some relief <3

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Meaghan Massella, M.Ac, L.Ac, Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM) is an acupuncturist, business owner and mother of 2.

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All
    Acupuncture
    At Home
    Kids
    Lifestyle
    Mental Health
    Pain
    Skin Care
    Sleep
    Women

    Picture
Non-Discrimination Statement: This office appreciates the diversity of human beings and does not discriminate based on race, age, religion, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, height, weight, national origin, language, education, or HIV status.
  • Home
  • New Patients
  • Shop
  • Video Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Safety