I've had this pain in my shoulder blade for close to a year now. It can be very intense and cause headaches. I was thinking it was stress induced, however I'm thinking I may have somehow pulled a muscle. Possibly like a fiber or something.

My wife keeps pressuring me to try acupuncture, but I'm hesitant for two reasons. I'm thinking it will hurt and I've convinced myself my entire life that acupuncture is a hoax.

Any true stories that will make me a believer?

Tim

 

Never done it personally but my father goes 1x a week. He seems to think it helps. No idea if its all mental or truely physical but I suppose if the pain is less (or gone) then thats really all that matters.

 

I think there are 2 components. One is physical and 2 is placebo effect. It has been proven to work somewhat in scientific experiments. I've had it done to me once just as a learning procedure. It didn't hurt to have the needles put in. They are very small bore. I did a month with a medical acupuncturist (an MD acupuncturist) and she had people who swore by it. If I were you I'd try it.

 

I would give it a shot. I had it done for years for a couple of ailments including tendinitis, ankle and foot pain, and "growing pains" in my bones, years after I was done growing. Even if it ends up being a placebo for you, then I think you can be happy with it. As long as the pain is gone!

I also drank a lot of crazy herb concoctions as well between acupuncture treatments. Freakin' expensive!

It's not painful to have done, but some stuff might freak you out. He used to put one between my eyes sometimes which was a magnet for my eyes to look at so I usually just closed em and relaxed. The freakiest were the ones in my wrist, on the underside. When I moved my middle finger on either hand the needles would lean forwards and backwards because they were into the tendin (or whatever it is)

 

Yeah, give it a shot. I haven't tried it but with the pain you're describing, I'd be making an appointment asap. It almost sounds like a pinched nerve. Maybe a chiropractor could also help. I always feel amazing after getting my back / neck cracked.

 

It worked well for my son when he partially tore his hamstring. The MD used acupuncture in combination with electric stimulation to accelerate the healing.

 

I've had treatments done many times. I think it works well on physical ailments. The weirdness comes in when people use it for things like anesthesia.

To really simplify the treatment, the acupuncturist uses needles to irritate the body into a reaction. The body heals itself with correct stimulation. The skill comes into diagnosing the problem and choosing the right solution as a treatment.

Here is a real example: I had severe shoulder pain caused by sleeping wrong and exacerbated by tension caused by stress. I couldn't lift my should above my head and I had very limited mobility.

Turns out the tension causes certain muscles to spasm and tighten up. The opposing muscles kind of went to "sleep". The acupuncturist needled and irritated the sleeping muscles while poking certain channels to relax the tense muscles. The relief was immediate. My shoulder was still sore and fatigued, but I could feel the balance returning. It was up to me to stay relaxed for a few days while my body synced back up.

There was no voodoo, witchcraft or trickery. It was simple action/reaction. Hope this helps you make a decision.

 

I've had a few treatments and have gotten relief for some chronic shoulder pain I have. It never lasted, but a few weeks where it didn't hurt as bad was sure nice. I was lucky and didn't have to pay for it as my "stepmom" (ex stepdad's new wife) has a degree in chinese medicine and gave them to me.

I personally have a major phobia of needles. I hate them and have always been apprehensive while getting shots and such.

My first treatment, I had previously had some alcohol which can make for complications. The first few needles were fine. An occasional little zing when they were tapped in. When she did the 4th needle, she got it right on a high tension spot near the epicenter of my pain, which immediately got me lightheaded and I passed out (I was sitting upright while having it done).

Second treatment I had no issues and I never knew when the needles were going in.

 

I have some bad shoulder problems and have had them solved by a chiropractor in Tucson. I know one of the best chiropractors in SD - located at 4344 Convoy Street - 92111
http://www.healthyimpressions.com/

 

Any reason you won't go to a medical doctor first?

I had a pain in my shoulder blade that was a rotator tear. Surgery fixed it but I am not sure jabbing it with needles would make it fix itself.

If you just want pain relief, theres lots of stuff. (percoset ftw!)