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Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?
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ptcabe1 posted:
Another newbie here, better late than never. I have herniated L4 and L5 with recent reoccurrence of nerve pain. I had a steroid epidural last December and it has worn off (it seemed to dissipate all at once about a week ago) . I would really appreciate feedback on the benefits, if any, of acupuncture. I'm having session tomorrow with another shot from my neurosurgeon as Plan B. Also, thanks very much for the info on opioids and nerve pain. I'm putting the Vocodin away before I develop a full-fledged addiction. I've been virtually immobile for two days with little or no help from the narcotic. Duh.....So, I'm going to discuss taking Neurontin with my neuro doc.. My story involves a compression injury resulting from being tossed up out of my seat and slammed back down in a small boat by a 5ft wave in 2007. (why I could not brace myself is another story) I was 55. Am now about to turn 60. I kayak 3 days a week, alternating paddling with foot pedals, and do my back exercises each day. I can sit for about an hour, then alternate with standing. I use a cane when my left leg is weak. Thanks for your help. Peggy
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?Another newbie here, better late than never. I have herniated L4 and L5 with recent reoccurrence of nerve pain. I had a steroid epidural last December and it has worn off (it seemed to dissipate all at once about a week ago) . I would really appreciate feedback on the benefits, if any, of acupuncture. I'm having session tomorrow with another shot from my neurosurgeon as Plan B. Also, thanks very much for the info on opioids and nerve pain. I'm putting the Vocodin away before I develop a full-fledged addiction. I've been virtually immobile for two days with little or no help from the narcotic. Duh.....So, I'm going to discuss taking Neurontin with my neuro doc.. My story involves a compression injury resulting from being tossed up out of my seat and slammed back down in a small boat by a 5ft wave in 2007. (why I could not brace myself is another story) I was 55. Am now about to turn 60. I kayak 3 days a week, alternating paddling with foot pedals, and do my back exercises each day. I can sit for about an hour, then alternate with standing. I use a cane when my left leg is weak. Thanks for your help. Peggy
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bj1208 responded:
hi again and welcome back -

please - if u are having back pains then the pain meds will help that, a little - meaning pain meds are absorbed by the body and only a small percentage gets to the actual site - only a pain pump implant would get 100% of the pain med where it needs to be -

also, the neurontin, or lyrica, will help nerve pain - but you have an underlying problem that is causing ur nerve pains and that is your disc problems. those should be addressed by the surgeon along with the nerve pains -

you need to really address the disc problems and look at alternatives for that and once you do then hopefully the nerve pains can be helped.

but I would suggest that you stop the exercising you are doing as this can damage the back area more and also cause more nerve pains -

please keep us posted - Joy
Report This| Share this:Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?hi again and welcome back -<br /><br />please - if u are having back pains then the pain meds will help that, a little - meaning pain meds are absorbed by the body and only a small percentage gets to the actual site - only a pain pump implant would get 100% of the pain med where it needs to be -<br /><br />also, the neurontin, or lyrica, will help nerve pain - but you have an underlying problem that is causing ur nerve pains and that is your disc problems. those should be addressed by the surgeon along with the nerve pains - <br /><br />you need to really address the disc problems and look at alternatives for that and once you do then hopefully the nerve pains can be helped.<br /><br />but I would suggest that you stop the exercising you are doing as this can damage the back area more and also cause more nerve pains -<br /><br />please keep us posted - Joy
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bj1208 responded:
oh sorry meant to include this site - hope it helps -

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/MY00946
Report This| Share this:Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?oh sorry meant to include this site - hope it helps -<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/MY00946">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/MY00946</a>
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ptcabe1 replied to bj1208's response:
Thanks, Joy. The Mayo Clinic site is really helpful- alot of things I didn't know about the acupuncture process, including when to expect results. If I don't feel better for a few days I won't be disappointed. I hear you on the exercise. My husband has been really concerned about the kayak so this stubborn little woman is gonna give it up for a while. Swimming and cycling for a while. I'll post again after the acupuncture session.

Peggy
Report This| Share this:Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?Thanks, Joy. The Mayo Clinic site is really helpful- alot of things I didn't know about the acupuncture process, including when to expect results. If I don't feel better for a few days I won't be disappointed. I hear you on the exercise. My husband has been really concerned about the kayak so this stubborn little woman is gonna give it up for a while. Swimming and cycling for a while. I'll post again after the acupuncture session.<br><br>Peggy
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bj1208 replied to ptcabe1's response:
dont give up swimming - as long as you don't overdo it - i walk around in mine - forwards, backwards and just recently found out diong it sideways - also i lay across my air mattress and let my legs hang down in the deep end - taking the pressure off my back - feels great~~~
Report This| Share this:Does acupuncture help with nerve pain?dont give up swimming - as long as you don't overdo it - i walk around in mine - forwards, backwards and just recently found out diong it sideways - also i lay across my air mattress and let my legs hang down in the deep end - taking the pressure off my back - feels great~~~
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