Is it normal to hurt MORE after the first visit for acupuncture?
Posted in Acupuncture, Pain, Pain Management on 01/20/2009 02:24 pm by JeanPaulJulie asked:
I am in chronic back pain (lumbar region), and have been for several years. I have tried a number of other therapies, including chiropracitc, physio and massage. I’ve wanted to try acupuncture, and yesterday went for my first treatment. Today, though, I feel like I’m in MORE pain than before! Is this normal, or has something bad happened? I know that with chronic pain it can take time to manage, but I did not expect to feel worse.
Tags: Hundred Times, Lot, Nerve Problems
I am in chronic back pain (lumbar region), and have been for several years. I have tried a number of other therapies, including chiropracitc, physio and massage. I’ve wanted to try acupuncture, and yesterday went for my first treatment. Today, though, I feel like I’m in MORE pain than before! Is this normal, or has something bad happened? I know that with chronic pain it can take time to manage, but I did not expect to feel worse.
01/20/2009 at 3:05 pm
I would say that while the experience of more pain after a treatment is unusual, it is not uncommon, either. I always tell my patients who see me for musculo-skeletal issues that they may feel worse the next day or even the day after that. Usually after the second day, if they are feeling discomfort at all, they should be feeling better.
However, having said that, if you are in extreme pain I would strongly recommend you call your acupuncturist and let them know.
01/22/2009 at 12:50 pm
This has been my experience, too. In many cases of chronic pain, acupuncture (and even massage sometimes) can make things seem worse before they get better. I have a chronic pain in my neck (no, not my husband!) that I get treatment for, and I find that it isn’t until the second or maybe third time that the pain really eases up. Usually after the fourth treatment I am good to go, but I usually go in for one more after that just to make sure. I am not sure why some people are under the impression that acupuncture is an ‘instant relief’ sort of therapy, because it really is not. However, I have found that it is the longest lasting form of therapy I have gotten, so I’m sticking with it.
You’d not expect a massage to work instantly (deep tissue massage often leaves you hurting!) so why acupuncture?
I think the first thing you should do is speak with your practitioner and see what they say.