Hi
I've had four sessions of acupuncture for back/pelvic pain (given by my physiotherapist alongside rehab programme). The acupuncture seems to have helped but so far the pain relief seems to wear off as the week goes by. Will the effects become more long lasting with more sessions? Could I ever achieve more permanent pain relief if I persist with the treatment? How many sessions should I aim for? Would the effects be enhanced if received treatment from a more traditional therapist (i.e. one who does all the extra assessment with pulse rate analysis etc). Thanks for any advice.
Hi Tilly,
I think you,ve answered your own question 
You rarely fine a western practitioner who has completed 'traditional' training, but at least it sets them on the correct path.
If you feel that the treatment is not satisfactory, then there is no reason why you should not try a practitioner who is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
As a TCM Bodyworker i would recommend someone who is trained in tuina & acupuncture for your condition, so that you get the best of both methods.
As a comparison to your current treatment, i would noramally see good results after 3 hours of treatment, and thats without needles!
Where are you based , i might be able to recommend a practitioner near to you.
INDO
Hi Tilly,
Glad you are getting some relief from the pain.
As a TCM Acupuncturist, I would like to say that - from my perspective - I would hope to see an improvement within 3 - 4 sessions, depending on the length of time you have had your condition. If not, then your treatment plan would need to be reviewed.
However, again from a TCM perspective, the syndrome pattern which would be treated would have a bearing on how long treatment should take. However - if after 6 or 7 treatments, there was still no improvement, then I would suggest acupuncture was not for you. (As opposed to carrying on taking your money when it is clearly not helping).
The length of time you get pain relief after each session should increase - and if not, then I would suggest more than one session per week, to help you keep the pain at bay.
Just my thoughts, but as I say, I am a TCM acupuncturist, so someone else's opinion (ie - medical acupuncturist or 5 element practitioner) might be different to mine.
Dear Ice Maiden and Indo
Thanks for your advice. I will perhaps look for TCM person near me (I am in Manchester). The needles have been in for 10 mins then 20 mins for last 3 sessions and I have had some pain relief, just not total and I was wondering whether I was expecting too much too soon!
Tilly
Tilly - any update on your condition?
I have been thinking about it - and in your OP, you mention that you do not currently see someone who does pulses etc - does that mean you are having medical acupuncture at present?
By combining pulse and tongue diagnostics within a diagnosis enables me to gain a fuller insight into the persons health as a whole, leading to aiding not just the presenting symptoms, but the underlying causitive factors too. One of the classics, is lower back pain, which can often be the resulting symptom of deeper emotional trauma.
Did you go to see a TCM practitioner in the end?
Hello
I did go to see a TCM person but didn't feel comfortable with her approach (she was giving me lots of postural advice, grabbing me and putting me in the right position). I tried someone else who is not a medical practitioner but didn't do tongue analysis. She does take my pulse and asked some 'unusual questions' in the beginning. I have had a lot of improvement and am due my sixth session tomorrow. She is treating me for back pain and anxiety (at my physiotherapists suggestion). I am very happy with my treatment progress, thanks for asking how I am getting along.
Sounds like it is a positive experience for you now Tilly thankfully!!
I am guessing by the "odd questions" you mean about your bodily functions, sleep pattern etc etc. Dont worry, it all makes sense to practitioners, and we need this information in order to make a diagnosis of patterns.
Glad you are having some success with it now though