Anyone Have Experience with Acupuncture?

[NJCher]

It's been a bad year for crabgrass in the Northeast, and I messed up my right hand in my zeal to get rid of it.

My right hand has aching in the fingers, particularly the forefinger and below that. Sometimes it's hard to flex the joints.

I was thinking about acupuncture. Does anyone here have experience with it? Would it be good for my situation?

[Ocelot II]

1. It's worth a try. I had trouble with a knee about 20 years ago, got cortisone injections

which worked for awhile, but the pain came back. So, skeptical but in desperation I went to an acupuncturist. After a few treatments the pain went away and never came back. I don't know whether it was the placebo effect or the real deal, but the theory is that the needles stimulate the nerves to encourage healing. Might not work for everything but it did that time.

[Dawgman49]

2. Yes

Some years ago I had carpel tunnel syndrome so bad the pain kept me up at night. Was visiting my daughter in California. Went to a Community acupuncture clinic. 3 days of treatment and was noticeably better. I followed with 3 or 4 treatments at home. Have not had any issues since

[Paxman]

3. Yes, acupuncture can be very helpful for finger strain.

I am an acupuncturist and have treated such complaints for decades. You should get instant relief from a single treatment, but may need follow-up and some topical or herbal support for deeper relief. I am also an avid gardener, so can relate to the mixed blessings of a good weeding session.

[CivicGrief]

5. I don't have experience with acupuncture,

but I had similar issues and turmeric helped a lot. Hope you find a remedy that works for you.

Sorry, this is meant for OP.

[Tom Dyer]

4. Probably not the answer you're looking for

but a few years back, we had an elderly penguin at the Aquarium where I worked. Ernie had hip problems and was having a hard time walking. We tried acupuncture, and it was astounding watching him improve so much and so quickly.
That’s all I got.

[SheltieLover]

6. Yes! FDA approved it for pain in the late 1990s

Boggles the mind why ins never covers it.

Reiki on the way to you.

Look for a community acupuncture clinic near you. Super cheap, comparitively, because they treat many people in the same room.

[IbogaProject]

7. Main issue is the practioner

Last edited Sat Oct 4, 2025, 11:59 AM - Edit history (1)

Some really push the extra herbs. We had one here in NYC that really only used herbs sparingly.

[NJCher]

10. I'll be on alert for that

I have a prodigious herb garden!

[mike_c]

8. I did acupuncture for several months

I tried it for chronic pain in my legs and feet. Nothing else was working and insurance paid for it. There was zero improvement, as far as I could tell. I really wanted it to help, but it didn't. Losing a bunch of weight finally helped more than all the therapies I tried, combined. Needless to say, it was pretty obvious my problems were at least partly the result of weight, but the acupuncturist never mentioned it. If you try it, I hope it helps you!

[NJCher]

9. thank you, everyone

I loved reading these stories and the one about the penguin amused me tremendously!

I'm excited about trying it and I never dreamed it wouldn't be a continuing thing. To hear that some people didn't have trouble after treatment is exciting.

Thank you, everyone!

And Sheltie, thanks for the Reiki!!