Accupuncture points used

Cleo19 · 08-16-2009, 03:56 PM

Hi ladies,

Can anyone whose used accupuncture share what points their accupuncturist used and if any of you have seen results?

Mine has put them on my feet, arms, a few on the legs. around the lower abdomen, ears, and between the chest. I have only had 3 treatments and have no idea if its working or will work.

One thing I thought strange, and not sure what to attribute to, is that I was taking prometrium for 10 days to bring AF. I've taken it twice and got AF the first time after one week and the second time after 3 days. This time, it started the day after I finished the pills so technically it wasnt even out of my system. I'm wondering why this happened and if there is any relation to accupuncture.

Merigreen · 08-16-2009, 07:49 PM

My acupuncturist usually puts 2-4 in my wrists, 2-3 in my lower abdomen, 3-4 in my feet, 4-6 in my lower legs and knees, 1 between my eyes (for relaxation), and sometimes 2 in my ears.

The points shift a little according to where I am in my cycle.

Acupuncture to treat PCOS may take more than 2 months, although you may see improvement sooner. I am finding that the TCM (herbs) that my acupuncturist has prescribed are very effective.

Cleo19 · 08-16-2009, 08:23 PM

Merigreen,

What TCM are you taking?

I'm just started taking Femaprin (vitex) and am also taking EPO along with my prenatal and Metformin XR.

jacquiej · 08-16-2009, 08:52 PM

Mine puts three on the inside of my left thumb and three on the my left ring finger. He also puts one on my left leg under the knee, off to the left. But I am not currently being treating specifically for the PCOS - I am being treated for my enlarged liver and uterine fibroid so that might make a difference. I am also on some TCM herbs - they are for stasis of the blood.

Merigreen · 08-16-2009, 10:56 PM

This is the mix of herbs that I am taking, although my acupuncturist tweaks the formula. It is ground into a powder that I mix into boiling water:

Peony Root
Cyperus Rhizome
Dong Quai Root
Ligusticum Root
Poria Sclerotium
Atractylodes macroephala
Prepared Pinellia
Job's Tears Seed
Cang-zhu Atractylodes
Tangerine Rind
Costus Root
Licorice Root

Cleo19 · 08-17-2009, 11:50 PM

Merigreen, how long have you been taking this formula? Have you seen any positive results? I'd really love to try to stabilize my hormones naturally. My husband does too. But at the same time, i dont think he really believes it can be achieved through TCM and accupuncture. I figure I have nothing to lose by giving it a shot for a few months.

Merigreen · 08-18-2009, 06:10 PM

I've been taking the formula for about 3 weeks. About half of the ingredients are meant to lower my blood sugar, the other half are to regulate my period. I've noticed some improvements -- slower hair growth on my chin and jaw, a revved libido, and a little less oily face. I'm a believer, although AF is still messed up from a previous a/o cycle.

I've been warned that it could take 2-3 months to see huge progress, and maybe longer to see the cysts disappear altogether.

Although I'm not overweight, I've lost some tummy weight, too but I'm also dieting and exercising. My acupuncturist recommended no dairy, no grains, no sugar, no caffeine, minimal fruit (berries and apples only), and lots of lean meat and veggies. Also a good sign: Normally when I lose weight, my breasts shrink, but this time they seem to be holding up.

If you are unsure about doing TCM for the long-term because of the cost, then I would recommend consulting with a TCM practioner for the herbs only. They will customize a formula based on your symptoms. The herbs for me are only $20/week, while the acupuncture is $60/week.

My DH is totally skeptical of TCM, but... it's my body, and it feels right to me so far.

mommy1 · 08-18-2009, 11:58 PM

My only experience with acupuncture to date has been during my IVF cycles. Not sure if the spots would be different for that reason or not. My needles were in my ankles, lower legs, wrists, elbows, around my belly button, and on both sides of my neck.

Cleo19 · 08-19-2009, 12:18 AM

Mommy1,

Did it work (the IVF cycle with the acupuncture?)

Merigreen, I'm not so worried about the cost. I guess I just need to ask my homeopath to give me recommendations because I dont want to mix things on my own that would end up being counter productive. I talked to him today about starting to take more TCM's. I talked to him today about moving forward with herbal remedies, but I believe he is the type that takes it slow and adds things in one at a time to see if they are effective. I told him I am hoping the natural route wont take me a year just to regulate my cycles (as a hint, hint not to give me too slow recommendations). :-)

MaraJ2005 · 08-19-2009, 09:56 PM

Cleo - I did acu & IVF and now have a 1 yr. old. A friend of mine had 3 failed IVF's. For the 4th one, she did acu and now has a baby girl. I believe it works and there are scientific studies that show effectiveness. Here is a link to some studies.

I think that the acu points use depend on where you are in your cycle and what you are being treated for. I know when I went during stims, the points were different than right after embryo transfer, for example.

Cleo19 · 08-20-2009, 12:08 AM

Thanks for your post MaraJ. That is really great to hear. Congrats on your success and I'm sure you are truly enjoying your 1 year old.

Stacy B. · 08-22-2009, 11:49 PM

I've started visiting an acupuncturist, too! I'm decided to give an acupuncture school a try, and usually have two-three interns testing out their skills on me.

Its fun. Besides, the cost is much cheaper. (While some initial appointments are $200, the school charges $75. And then I got a deal for 1/2 off the first 3 treatments.) Also FYI - I'm using a 5E (Five Elements, or wood, earth, water, metal, and fire).

Anyway - my first appointment was almost 4 hours long (yikes!) and I think it was a learning experience for both myself and my interns. They had not worked with PCOS before so I had the feeling they did extra homework on treatment of PCOS before I arrived, so they would know what to do. But I will tell you, the first treatment was to balance all my systems out before concentrating on my problem. (I don't know how many, but maybe 6 in my back? Then 2 on each sides of my wrist.)

The second appointment was more balancing along my "earth" meridian - I just remember having one in each thigh, one in each ankle, and I'm sure there was a couple others, too.

My 3rd appointment was when they were finally able to move to "conception" acupuncture points.

This week I had my 4th appointment, and again, I had two more conception energy points stimulated, along with "5" (whatever that means, I just heard them kept saying that 5 was off, which included one in my Achilles heel)

While I am not pregnant yet, the good news is that my typical 34 day cycle has shortened to 30 days, which they say is a good thing! And according to my OPK, I am ovulating.

I've never had my ears or thumbs done....hmm...?

JenSlayton · 08-27-2009, 04:07 AM

I went the first time after a m/c. I hadn't had a period for like 2 months, she stuck needles in me, and I started bleeding within days. Was regular for the next two cycles, then got pregnant...