Slow Down Your Tremors With Acupuncture
Did you know that there are solutions to treating your tremors other than medicine or surgery? Many people and even many doctors don’t know about these alternatives, so you may not have heard about them either. One of the solutions to decreasing your tremors is acupuncture.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the most ancient forms of medicine. Some sources suggest it dates back over 10,000 years. Some theories suggest the practice may have originated in ancient Egypt, while others suggest it originated in China. There are hieroglyphs showing needles being used.
Acupuncture involves placing very tiny needles – the size of a human hair – into your body to treat illnesses or to decrease pain. The needles can be placed about a half-inch deep, to up to three inches deep in areas where there is a lot of fat tissue. You may have only a few needles placed, or you may have around 20 needles placed for a single treatment.
Ouch! Doesn’t it hurt?
Needles, you say? Won’t that hurt? Actually, when you see a qualified acupuncturist, the needle insertion should not hurt! And, here a few tricks I will share with you that will help you be less nervous when you go in for treatment.
Tips and tricks
- Deep breathing – I practice deep breathing while the needles are being placed. I find if I take a deep breath in just before the needle goes in, and then breathe out slowly as it is being inserted, that I feel no pain.
- Meditate – Sometimes, I will listen to meditations on my phone while the needles are going in. Sometimes I will visualize in my mind something positive – like a vacation I’ve recently taken or one I am planning. Distraction is a great tool!
- Listen to music – Know, too, that your acupuncturist will likely have soothing music playing in the room. If not, you often can bring your own music to listen to with in ear headphones (these usually don’t get in the way of the needles).
- Order of needle placement – Have your acupuncturist place certain needles first to help keep you calm. There are certain locations for needle placement – particularly on the scalp, in the ears, or on the wrist that give you an almost immediate sense of calm.
- If you have more than a couple of seconds of pain with any needle that is placed, ask to have it adjusted slightly! Sometimes the needles can touch a nerve or blood vessel that can cause pain until the needle is moved.
- Ask for a short break – If you are really nervous while the needles are going in, then ask your acupuncturist to give you a short break before placing the next needle. Sometimes a couple of breaths in between needles can really help you be less nervous!
Does it really work?
YES! Researchers have been studying this for a number of years now. They have discovered that after a few treatments once a week, tremors caused by essential tremor or Parkinson’s Disease can be reduced between 50 and 90%. Those are some impressive results!
How do I know it isn’t a placebo effect?
Sometimes “alternative medicine” therapies like acupuncture, that are widely used in Eastern medicine, seem very different to people who are used to taking a pill or having a surgery to treat their condition. It is important to know that the benefit you are getting is coming from an actual change in your body, rather than in your imagination (although there is value in that too!). Researchers have done studies on acupuncture in babies and in animals, who have various conditions like pain or epilepsy, had significant improvement in their symptoms with acupuncture treatment.
Where do I find an acupuncturist?
Acupuncturists often work in centers with other medical professionals who provide services that complement acupuncture, such as chiropractic offices. They also may be found in “integrative medicine” centers or “holistic medicine” centers. It is important to find an acupuncturist who is certified and well trained. The highest acupuncture certification is by the National Certification Commission. Their website http://www.nccaom.org They will have a list of certified acupuncturists. Also, be sure to ask your acupuncturist if they have experience in treating people with tremors. Not all acupuncturists may be trained in this particular area.
How long do the treatments last?
The treatments usually last between 25-40 minutes. Your acupuncturist typically will check on you about halfway through the treatment to adjust the needles slightly and to make sure you are not having any new pain with the treatment.
How soon will the treatment work?
Often you will see results instantly or within a few hours after treatment. The time that the benefits last may vary. The research studies suggest that it may take many treatments over several weeks to start to see your tremor reduced, and then you will need to continue with regular treatments in order to keep up with the benefits of treatment.
Are there any side effects to acupuncture?
The most common side effect with acupuncture is slight bruising at the site of needle insertion. This rarely happens and is more commonly seen when someone is taking medicines that can thin their blood, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, plavix, coumadin, xarelto, and some other medicines, including some vitamins. Very rarely can you have more serious side effects, such as injury to your nerves. This is highly uncommon with well trained and experienced acupuncturists.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Acupuncture in the treatment of pain is being covered by more insurances these days. Some state insurances have better coverage than others, including California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington. While acupuncture may be covered by insurance for treating pain, it may not be covered for treating tremors. Check with your insurance provider for more details.
Where can I learn more?
To learn more about how acupuncture can help tremors and to learn more about other ways to treat tremors associated with ET, pre-order a copy of my e-book “Stop Spilling Your Soup: The Complete Essential Tremor Solution“.
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