Going to try Chinese acupuncture & H2O

[Pikku Myy]

Hoping this along with H2O theraphy might ease my symptoms... Can not hurt to try? Any thoughts?

[NorCalGal]

Originally Posted by Pikku Myy

Hoping this along with H2O theraphy might ease my symptoms... Can not hurt to try? Any thoughts?

I began acupunture back in November last year once a week. At $70 a visit, it was a little pricey for my budget but I slept better, had a little less pain due to rigidity and even experianced less constipation...these were all symptoms I discussed with my practioner. I decided to not go in December as a "control" and felt my symptoms return. This year I have had one visit with another coming up soon. I'm going to try to see her at least every 2-3 weeks. What is H2O therapy?

Norcalgal

[crimsoncrew]

I've been encouraged by friends to try acupuncture, but have no experience with it.

I found this article (from December 2012?) on the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation website: http://www.nwpf.org/News.aspx?Item=4172

"New research reveals how acupuncture protects the brain in areas damaged by Parkinson’s disease. Scientists at the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine have discovered two acupuncture points that prevent the breakdown of an important brain protecting enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase. This enzyme helps the body to create L-DOPA, an important dopamine precursor and drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is now known that acupuncture prevents decreases of the L-DOPA creating enzyme in the thalamic portions of the brain thereby improving the motor function that is destroyed by Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra portion of the brain is a key pathology in Parkinson’s disease and tardive dyskinesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) scientists have discovered that acupuncture inhibits decreases of tyrosine hydroxylase in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons thereby protecting dopamine neuron levels in the substantia nigra portion of the brain. Depletion of these neurons leads to Parkinson’s disease and acupuncture stimulation of acupoints GB34 and LV3 prevents depletion by sustaining tyrosine hydroxylase levels."

I'm not sure about the reliability of the research. Worth a try? And does it have to be regular (weekly?) sessions to make a difference if it in fact works?

[NorCalGal]

Originally Posted by crimsoncrew

I've been encouraged by friends to try acupuncture, but have no experience with it.

I found this article (from December 2012?) on the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation website: http://www.nwpf.org/News.aspx?Item=4172

"New research reveals how acupuncture protects the brain in areas damaged by Parkinson’s disease. Scientists at the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine have discovered two acupuncture points that prevent the breakdown of an important brain protecting enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase. This enzyme helps the body to create L-DOPA, an important dopamine precursor and drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is now known that acupuncture prevents decreases of the L-DOPA creating enzyme in the thalamic portions of the brain thereby improving the motor function that is destroyed by Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra portion of the brain is a key pathology in Parkinson’s disease and tardive dyskinesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) scientists have discovered that acupuncture inhibits decreases of tyrosine hydroxylase in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons thereby protecting dopamine neuron levels in the substantia nigra portion of the brain. Depletion of these neurons leads to Parkinson’s disease and acupuncture stimulation of acupoints GB34 and LV3 prevents depletion by sustaining tyrosine hydroxylase levels."

I'm not sure about the reliability of the research. Worth a try? And does it have to be regular (weekly?) sessions to make a difference if it in fact works?

**smacks forehead with heel of my hand** Can't believe I didn't address the dyskenesia aspect. It helped me ALOT!! Even my practictioner was impressed with my improvement. Average cost is $60-100 per session. If you have insurance coverage or are expecting a generous tax refund, its a good bet.

Norcalgal

[Songfellow]

I actually did some work with an Ultima 11 Tens unit where I attached the 4 sensors/pads to points on my body after studying an Accupuncture chart.

I broke the rules a bit by placing 2 of the leads close to my spinal cord (not at all recommended), one on my back high on my right shoulder and the other on my abdomen.

I really thought I was onto something until I decided to wear the unit to work. For the first 2 hours all was fine. Then I had to increase the amplitude of the signal. By the time the morning was over, I had increased the power so much that I felt like a french fry. In retrospect, my skin had become desensitized to the signal.

I only use the unit now when I have specific pains that need addressed (for that it is a marvel).

I am convinced that the ideas for Deep Brain Stimulation surgery came from research using a Tens unit.

Anyway, I told you that in order to tell you this (smile), even though I've never undergone accupuncture my experience with the Tens unit leads me to believe that accupuncture is based on real science. My results went way beyond accidental.

I'd really like to hear more here about personal experiences with accupuncture.

Steve

[GerryW]

Acupuncture has some good results with PD symptoms. My lady friend is a DAOM or doctor of Chinese medicine and she has needled me off and on for a few months. I found it eliminated dystonias and an excessive gag reflex but I didn't notice any change in motor symptoms. If you google acupuncture and Parkinson's you will find a lot of positive studies.

[Canna]

One tip about working with Chinese accupuncturists especially if there are a lot in the area. Find out exactly what your insurance will pay. Many accupuncturists will give a lower rate if you don't use insurance and it may or may not be cheaper to just pay yourself. Also, if you plan on an extended course, they might give you a deal if you pay up front. If the cost is $60, you might get 10 treatments for $500, etc.

Here is some info about my experience with TCM. Like any medical system it has its strengths and limitations.

3/09 While in treatment for chronic shoulder pain, accupuncturist recommended seeing a neurologist for Parkinson's evaluation
3/09 Neurologist #1 sees no sign of degenerative disease. Angry when asked if he is sure.
6/09 MDS #1 sees no sign of degenerative disease but says diagnosis can be difficult and that I should return if more concerns arise
5/10 Neurologist #2 sees “something there” but doesn't want to give it a label. Asked about f-dopa scan to diagnose, says that by the time there is enough loss that there can be a definitive result on scan, there will be clinical signs
5/11 Neurologist #2 sees changes and diagnoses PD
7/11 MDS#2 diagnosis is probable early PD

Why did the accupuncturist see it years earlier than the MD's?

*I cried a lot after the accupucturist said I might have PD. At the time, he told me it could be kept under control for a long time with weekly accupuncture treatments. He did not recommend herbs for it. Unfortunately, his wife finished her nearby residency and they moved. He had practiced TCM in hospital in China. I couldn't find anyone as knowledgeable about PD after that and so haven't used it for PD.

This is not about PD specifically but if you are interested...my family has used TCM for various problems over the last 20 years or so with mixed results:

DH Exhaustion and weight loss: Herbal amazing results
DD Prolonged cough herbal helped
DS Childhood asthma: Acc & Herbal: Reduced spacing of attacks and helped acute but stopped too much reliance on ephedra for a 2 year old. Learned cupping and neti pot latter of which particlarly did help.
Me Calf injury: accupuncture helped pain, stiffness and probably healing
DH Migraines: Acc During headache helped but frequncy not changed. Tried four treatment providers over the years
DH: Low WBC Herbal: quite improved
ME Tennis elbow acc excellent and did not become chronic as is typical
DD Idiopathic vasovagyl syncope: Used many specialists from presitigious university but could not find cause or treatment. Saw one acc and didn't help but 2nd one got excellent results with acc and herbs. Also treated mild recurrance later.
ME: Uterine fibroids and bleeding Acc didn't help but feel it might have earlier and the acc warned me about it before we started.
ME: Chronic Shoulder pain: Helped but not as lasting as PT.
ME: Menopausal symptoms Herbal: excellent

As you can see, results were mixed with greatest successes involving herbs. I have not tried to treat my PD with TCM. It did help early foot cramps but yoga helped enough so did that. I'll certainly try acupuncture will if I have worse problems with dystonia. Good luck.