Acupuncture Didn’t Work? This Could Be Why.
Sometimes people tell me they've tried acupuncture before and didn’t find it effective, which leaves them feeling skeptical about the medicine and hesitant to try it again. On one hand, these feelings make perfect sense. Why put time and money into something that didn’t produce results? On the other hand, I find myself curious and inquiring a bit further.
How many treatments did you have?
More often than not, those who say acupuncture didn’t work for them report having received only one or two treatments. The truth is, if you’ve had a condition for years, its most likely going to take more than a handful of treatments to see changes. I like to work with someone weekly for a minimum of three months for most chronic conditions. Regular check-ins, herbal therapy, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes are all essential to achieving effective outcomes in Chinese medicine. Is that to say you wont feel any changes for months? No! Many people report slow and gradual change over time, with feelings of relaxation, decreased pain and better sleep for days after their treatments.
Keep in mind, acupuncturists are looking to treat the root cause of your concerns. Healing takes patience and time, but our goal is to help you feel better for the long haul. Is it possible to have a concern go away with one treatment? Yes! Acute conditions often respond quickly to treatment. I’ve helped cold and flu pass with less intensity and shorter duration. I’ve also released muscle spasms after injury and stopped headache and menstrual pain in its tracks. It all just depends on the person and their unique situation.
TLDR: Chronic issues that have been around for years, take time to heal. If someone breaks a bone, you wouldn’t expect that bone to heal over night, right? We shouldn’t expect things like digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, etc. to improve overnight either. While acupuncturists do work to decrease symptoms with every treatment, we are also working to prevent the problem from returning. Its worth the commitment!
Who did the treatment?
One thing many patients don’t realize is that Chinese medicine includes a variety of lineages—each with its own unique approach to diagnosis and treatment. We often refer to this as having a “style” in which we like to practice. Some styles involve deep, intense needling. Others are gentle, sometimes without needles, and some are more bodywork or herb focused. Most practitioners are trained in multiple styles, and can adjust to their patients needs. Others choose to specialize in one. All approaches are valid and effective but the caveat here is not all styles are for everyone. Maybe your concern would benefit from a gentle bodywork focus, or perhaps your concern calls for additional internal alchemy that herbalism can support. Or maybe both!
Finding a practitioner you resonate with is an important part of the healing process. Their approach to treatment matters, but so does their personality and how you connect with them. Chinese medicine involves a working relationship with practitioner and patient. We collaborate with you to make lifestyle changes that improve long term outcomes. Who wants to work with someone they don’t vibe with that much? Doing so may lead to a dip in motivation or discontinuing the treatment plan all together. It’s worth it to take the time to research the website of a practitioner, get a referral from a friend or even email a practitioner to better understand their approach.
Another important consideration is whether the acupuncture you received was performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist. In some other states, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists can practice what is known as “dry needling.” The word dry needling often gets interchanged with acupuncture but it’s important to note that dry needling performed by a Chiropractor (DC) or Physical Therapist (PT) is NOT acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncturists are trained in trigger point release (dry needling) but PTs and DCs are not trained in TCM.
My Advice: When it comes to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, receive care from a Licensed Acupuncturist who has 4+ years of post-graduate education in the history, culture, technique and theory of this medicine.
What are your expectations?
It’s also important to have a practitioner you connect with so you both can have an open discussion about the expectations of your care. Were you diagnosed with a degenerative and experiencing pain? While the ultimate goal may be complete relief, some conditions are better approached as pain management rather than total elimination. This means that regular treatments may be needed long term.
In pain management cases we may be able to decrease the pain significantly and maybe even get you to days of no pain. Can we “cure” you of the degenerative condition thats causing the pain? Unfortunately not. Though magical, Chinese medicine is not magic. It has its limitations just like any other medical system. Your practitioner may encourage you to shift your expectations to less pain, rather than no pain. You may even find that going from a level 9/10 pain to a level 3/10 pain, though not fully absent, significantly improves your quality of life. It's important everyone is on the same page and is open to a shift in expectations!
The take away.
If you didn’t have the best results with acupuncture, don’t give up just yet. Take the time to find someone who you enjoy working with, whose treatments leave you feeling hopeful, rested and empowered. Also be sure your practitioner wants to collaborate with you and address your concerns from all angles. This includes calling in the expertise of other practitioners if needed. Lastly, be sure to commit fully and wholeheartedly. The process of long term healing is not linear. It ebbs and flows and at one point you may even doubt it’s worth the effort. Know that your practitioner is there to guide and support you through your healing journey.
At the end of the day, Im realistic. Maybe you’ve checked all the boxes I mentioned above and still didn’t have results with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Thats okay! Sometimes a certain method helps one person and doesn’t help another. We are all unique individuals who respond to medicine differently.
That said, it's important to practice mindfulness when sharing your experiences with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. When we make a general statement like 'acupuncture doesn’t work,' we dismiss the experiences of those who have benefited from it. We also risk disrespecting an entire lineage and culture that has developed and practiced this medicine for thousands of years. In a world that often encourages black-and-white thinking, let’s choose compassion and embrace the many paths that lead to wellness.
With care,
Kecia Fox, MSOM, LAc