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Acupuncture

JohnEGreen

JohnEGreen

Master
Messages
14,002
Location
Nottinghamshire
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Tripe and Onions
I have recently read on line that acupuncture can be of help with diabetes.

It had never occurred to that sticking needles in one self could be beneficial for diabetics. LoL

"
Studies on physiological mechanisms, both with humans and laboratory animals, indicate that acupuncture may:

regulate insulin production (Lin et al, 2004) and blood sugar levels (Lin 2004; Chang 2006; CabioÄŸlu 2006; Jiang 2006)
improve the blood lipid profile (CabioÄŸlu 2005; Jiang 2006) (dyslipidaemia is common in patients with type-2 diabetes and may lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality).
improve blood circulation (Tsuchiya 2007), thus helping to slow the onset and progression of diabetic circulatory complications
moderate the stress response (Sakai 2007)
Most people use acupuncture as part of an integrated diabetes treatment plan because they are already using Western medication. Acupuncture can be safely and effectively combined with Western biomedicine and other treatments such as relaxation exercises and herbal medicine. In addition to offering acupuncture and related therapies, acupuncturists will often make suggestions as to dietary and other lifestyle changes that may be beneficial. Eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular physical exercise, reducing stress and maintaining a healthy body weight can help to prevent or delay the onset of type-2 diabetes and slow the progression of the disease. Working with a supportive therapist can help people commit to these positive lifestyle changes."

Has anyone tried it?

https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/type-2-diabetes.html
 
@JohnEGreen Obviously I am T1, not T2, and your link refers to T2, but I didn't find it achieved anything particularly notable for my blood sugars. In fact, after the first few sessions, I think it was a little bit out of control afterwards - I don't quite know how to explain it, but the first time in paticular it makes you feel very very cold and very very tired - not necessarily in a bad way, but definitely different, and the bloods were accordingly roller-coaster like afterwards.

Probably stating the obvious, but of course the one thing to be careful of would be your feet - my acupuncturist was particularly keen on sticking needles in between the toes, and at that point on top of the foot between the big and second toe, but stopped after I was diagnosed with diabetes.

Honestly? My opinion - and it is just that - would be that it can't hurt, but it might not work wonders either. My dad and I have both used it for depression, and he in particular found that it helped for the first six months or so, but after that it sort of tailed off. I didn't find it particularly helpful, but I suspect my cynical attitude didn't really help with that. Did help my dodgy knee though.
 
@EllsKBells Yes sorry more to do with T2 didn't think.
Thanks for your input maybe I will give it a go as you say can't hurt as long they don't stick the needles in the wrong place.
 
JohnEGreen said:
Has anyone tried it?
Click to expand...

I'm currently having acupuncture for muscular spasm in the back. I shall speak to my therapist and discuss further. I know that it is common approach to treating type II in China, but haven't read any of the research or indeed tried it. I will definitely look into it though. Very interesting.
 
I had acupuncture for a ruptured lumber disc, but it was about 30 odd years ago. You all say "it can't hurt". Well all I can say is it hurt like hell. I was left about 20 minutes or so with all these needles sticking out of me and told not to move. I was lying in an uncomfortable position to start with so had to move slightly. Blimey that hurt. I didn't go again and it did nothing for my acute and chronic pain. Never again.
 
I do note that NICE no longer recommend acupuncture for back pain.

"from 2009 on the early management of low back pain recommended that healthcare providers “consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to a maximum of 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.”

But the new draft guidelines, now covering sciatica as well as low back pain, contain an unequivocal volte-face, stating: “Do not offer acupuncture for managing non-specific low back pain with or without sciatica.”

Professor Mark Baker, clinical practice director for Nice, said: “Regrettably, there is a lack of convincing evidence of effectiveness for some widely used treatments. For example, acupuncture is no longer recommended for managing low back pain with or without sciatica. This is because there is not enough evidence to show that it is more effective than sham treatment.”

Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of complementary medicine at the Peninsula School of Medicine, University of Exeter, welcomed the new guidelines. “The previous Nice guidelines for low back pain were seriously out of touch with the reliable evidence. What is worse, they were used by alternative therapists to justify unproven practice,” he said. “ It is good to see that Nice have now caught up with the evidence. Neither spinal manipulation nor acupuncture are supported by good science when it comes to treating low back pain.”

Though I know we don't all adhere to the recommendations of experts or NICE for that matter.

https://www.theguardian.com/science...k-pain-no-longer-recommended-for-nhs-patients
 
JohnEGreen said:
I do note that NICE no longer recommend acupuncture for back pain.

"from 2009 on the early management of low back pain recommended that healthcare providers “consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to a maximum of 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.”

But the new draft guidelines, now covering sciatica as well as low back pain, contain an unequivocal volte-face, stating: “Do not offer acupuncture for managing non-specific low back pain with or without sciatica.”

Professor Mark Baker, clinical practice director for Nice, said: “Regrettably, there is a lack of convincing evidence of effectiveness for some widely used treatments. For example, acupuncture is no longer recommended for managing low back pain with or without sciatica. This is because there is not enough evidence to show that it is more effective than sham treatment.”

Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of complementary medicine at the Peninsula School of Medicine, University of Exeter, welcomed the new guidelines. “The previous Nice guidelines for low back pain were seriously out of touch with the reliable evidence. What is worse, they were used by alternative therapists to justify unproven practice,” he said. “ It is good to see that Nice have now caught up with the evidence. Neither spinal manipulation nor acupuncture are supported by good science when it comes to treating low back pain.”

Though I know we don't all adhere to the recommendations of experts or NICE for that matter.

https://www.theguardian.com/science...k-pain-no-longer-recommended-for-nhs-patients
Click to expand...

I could have told them that in the 1980's. :hilarious: Mine was sciatic pain caused by the ruptured disc. Only one thing worked - major surgery.
 
JohnEGreen said:
I have recently read on line that acupuncture can be of help with diabetes.

It had never occurred to that sticking needles in one self could be beneficial for diabetics. LoL

"
Studies on physiological mechanisms, both with humans and laboratory animals, indicate that acupuncture may:

regulate insulin production (Lin et al, 2004) and blood sugar levels (Lin 2004; Chang 2006; CabioÄŸlu 2006; Jiang 2006)
improve the blood lipid profile (CabioÄŸlu 2005; Jiang 2006) (dyslipidaemia is common in patients with type-2 diabetes and may lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality).
improve blood circulation (Tsuchiya 2007), thus helping to slow the onset and progression of diabetic circulatory complications
moderate the stress response (Sakai 2007)
Most people use acupuncture as part of an integrated diabetes treatment plan because they are already using Western medication. Acupuncture can be safely and effectively combined with Western biomedicine and other treatments such as relaxation exercises and herbal medicine. In addition to offering acupuncture and related therapies, acupuncturists will often make suggestions as to dietary and other lifestyle changes that may be beneficial. Eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular physical exercise, reducing stress and maintaining a healthy body weight can help to prevent or delay the onset of type-2 diabetes and slow the progression of the disease. Working with a supportive therapist can help people commit to these positive lifestyle changes."

Has anyone tried it?

https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/type-2-diabetes.html
Click to expand...
Hello
Just joined today
Interesting reading all this
I was diagnosed type 2 in March
I am taking 2 x metformin (slow release) am and pm
I just had my 1st acupuncture treatment on 19th July and the follow up will be on 24th July
I used acupuncture a few years back for non stop nausea, and it was very effective, so I'm hoping it will help me again.
I will post updates after treatments, whether they be positive or otherwise!
The 1st session was very relaxing with only 1 twinge when a needle was placed in my right shin. The consultation was very thorough and I was given some dietary advice too. Looking forward to the next treatment
 
JohnEGreen said:
I have recently read on line that acupuncture can be of help with diabetes.

It had never occurred to that sticking needles in one self could be beneficial for diabetics. LoL
Click to expand...
Oh no, not more needles and pins!

I do not think this will go down well with the minority that have this crazy fear of lancing a finger or injecting insulin. :D
 
I'm a T1 and for me when I have had acupuncture I did so to strengthen my immune system. I used to find during winter months particularly that if colds or flues were going round, I would be prone to them. When I started acupuncture I had none of them at all and felt great. It seemed to boost my immune system and really helped me a lot. It could all have been a mental placebo but for me it helped and I continue to have it in wintery months as a result.
 
Hi
Just a follow up on acupuncture and diabetes
I had my 4th session this morning
Still finding it very relaxing, with only the odd twinge when a needle placed in my skin
My therapist asks if there's been an improvement in my energy levels, and I think this last week I have felt better
Perhaps it's the low carb diet, or maybe the combo
I will continue with treatments for a while longer, and of course, with the low carb diet programme (now in week 3):)
 
Tipetoo said:
Oh no, not more needles and pins!
Click to expand...

Although it may not help, I know my dad almost faints if I say "needle", the acupuncture needles that have been used on me by my chiropractor are so tiny and have such a controlled penetration, depth wise, that I don't even feel or notice them.
 
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