penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
Has anyone tried acupuncture therapy for pain management? or any other neurological issues? I have used acupuncture for endometriosis pain and it was amazing so I might try it out again for my lyme. I'm assuming it should not interfere with abx treatment?
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Shouldn't be a problem. I used it for sciatica. It would get me out of pain for awhile...but the pain would usually return by the next day or so.
I gave it up.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes, it is an amazing process. And it can help the abx work better while supporting your liver and other organs to better handle treatment.
I would not still be alive had it not been for acupuncture. I have found it very helpful in a variety of ways, some very subtle but, nonetheless, profound.
As you are in Boston, I think there is a college of either acupuncture or naturopathy there. They often have a sliding-fee clinic but that also means that there are many good L.Ac.s (acupuncturists) from which to choose.
Some NDs (naturopathic doctors) are also trained and certified in acupuncture - but not always. All L.Ac.s are also trained in herbal medicine but not exactly to the degree as NDs.
I suggest finding one who is Lyme Literate. Those who are not LL simply don't have the necessary background in how lyme changes a person.
For instance, usually, needles in the full treatment time (20-30 minutes) are not tolerated by lyme patients. They need a little more acupressure, maybe some gentle body work and needles even just in and out, or for a couple minutes, at first.
For me, acupuncture helped so much with emotional strength - but repeated sessions were needed and then the effect would hold over longer after treatment hit a stride. Often, I'd feel suicidal going in, but like a huge weight had lifted by the time I walked out. And that would help me for days, or later on, weeks.
Start by asking your LLMD and at your local support group. I cannot stress the importance of seeing only a LL L.Ac. - unless it's just for tennis elbow or something like that.
Oh, as good as acupuncture is, it is not to be a stand-alone treatment for lyme. It can really help treatment work better, though.
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc.
Includes many articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- PenguinGirl,
I totally spaced out that you've been to a L.Ac. already with good results for endometriosis. You might check back in with that L.Ac. and see what she/he knows about lyme.
If they remember you, there is a lot to be said for an established relationship. And, as not all L.Ac.s are successful with treatment of endometriosis, yours apparently has a skill level that may work well for you now. -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Scalp acupuncture can be especially helpful to relieve CNS (central nervous system) symptoms. Not all L.Ac.s are trained in this method, so ask.
On page 45 of the book below, there are specific acupuncture points suggested for lyme patients who have pain/arthritis symptoms. Acupuncture has mentions on 15 other pages:
GU? Yang? Yin? Lyme is a very "yang" infection - that is hot, aggressive, destructive. And our "yin" is weakened - adrenal function, so our "yin" is not strong enough to balance the "yang" state our body has to manage. So, how do we fight such an aggressive foe, a "Gu" infection?
Borrelia infection would be categorized as a �Gu� infection.
However, this is not specific for borrelia - just a place to begin. I was treated for five years by a ND using this approach and it did help, though not enough - not by a long shot. But the ND knew only the very basics about lyme. It became clear that borrelia is not just any other "Gu" infection but far more complex.
Still, this concept is so important to our understanding of the nature of chronic infection. So, I think it�s an important foundation piece to our education. The appendixes offer great support guidance that is compatible with lyme/TBD self-care.
This explains how, for thousands of years, infections have been prone to coexistence by taking on a stealth nature (hidden from detection; sneaky): -----------------
GU SYNDROME: A Forgotten Clinical Approach to Chronic Parasitism
Heiner Freuhauf, Ph.D., L.Ac.
p. 15: Appendix 1 � herbal treatment for Gu Syndrome;
p. 16: Appendix 2 � Acupuncture specifics cited
p. 17: Appendix 3 - Dietary Instructions for Gu Syndrome; Appendix 4 - QiGong Exercise for Gu
---- If the above link does not work, copy and paste the title to Google for a new search.
==================================
As some NDs and L.Ac.s may know the basic similarities shared by Borrelia and Syphilis (both have been called "The Great Imitator" or "Imposter" - both are spirochetes that can be devastating).
However, if a ND or L.Ac. assumes treatment is the same, they are not LL. Discuss their knowledge and be sure they are aware of points below: ----------
Syphilis has 23 genes where Lyme has over 250. Borrelia can also insert its DNA into that of a host. Mitochrondial damage is another whole topic.
GiGi Posted this From Scott's notes of 2009 Lyme Conference:
Dr. K believes that comparing Lyme disease to syphilis is misleading.
�� Syphilis has 23 genes where Lyme has over 250. ��
It is like comparing "cabbage with a dog". Borrelia is a far more evolved organism.
He posed the question, "What if these bugs could exchange their DNA such that the gene responsible for producing a certain toxin was transferred to harmless bacteria in the oral cavity or in normal gut flora."
It becomes clear that these microbes are highly intelligent.
(GiGi / Scott) ----------------
The original quote is probably at one of these two sites:
Researcher Eva Sapi has some fascinating observations. It's not just the spirochete: Borrelia b. has many forms and, within those, dozens more. --------------
This video is a 10 minute clip, part of a 70 minute interview with Dr. Sapi from the University of New Haven.
She is credited with being the first researcher to demonstrate that Lyme spirochetes can actually create their own complex biofilm community to survive indefinitely within their hosts; both human and animal. . . .
BIOCHEMISTRY OF LYME DISEASE: BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SPIROCHETE / CYST -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- To be remembered, too, there are over 300 strains of lyme. Some just get lucky and get �easier� strains. Some don�t have the full mix of other stealth infections, some have them all.
Some NDs and L.Ac.s think that all will be well if the body can just get stronger.
Just �getting the body stronger" will usually not work as lyme whacks out the immune function - revs up one part and disablest the other. It's far more complicated than just supporting the body. A LL ND or LL L.Ac. KNOWS that.
The book �Cure Unknown� Pam Weintraub discusses why it is that some do fine with 3 weeks abx and others are devasted by that minimal approach: Different strains.
And much more that we just can't even really know. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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� Many results from a Google search for: Acupuncture, Massachusetts
For both groups below: Call and ask if they know of any L.Ac.s who have a particular interest or experience with lyme. Some may note that in their professional affiliations.
The main NESA clinic is located on the first floor of 150 California Street in Newton, MA
[Some of the instructors might be ILADS-educated and LL � or they may know of some who are.]
=================================
You might extend the search to a ND (naturopathic doctor). Many (if not most) are also trained and certified in acupuncture. You'd run through similar steps as above to find their professional organizations. Other links here: -----------
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc. -
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