baberenglish wrote:Have you guys ever tried acupuncture? I have occasional back spasms/problems as well. I was in a bad car accident way back in the day and was told I would have to live with some occasional back discomfort. Once a year I overextend myself running, swimming or playing hockey and I wake up with a seized back. I go to an acupuncture clinic that deals with sports rehab, normally the larger sized clinics do it. Takes about 3 hours and I am fit as a fiddle after. I have tried chiropractors but they just can't seem to deal with it, to me it's more of a massage than actually dealing with the problem.
I have not tried acupuncture as of yet, and I have heard mixed things about it. One guy I know said that it actually made his back problems worse, after initially lessening the pain. Others have had rave reviews.
For my part, I know and understand the uses of soft tissue work, so I lean more towards it. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a practitioner in the U.S. near where I lived, so I had to manage with overpriced standard massages.
For your part, it sounds like soft-tissue work would be of less benefit, so I see why you have considered acupuncture. I can't say I completely believe in the theory behind it, which is why I have not tried it as of yet... but what works, works - theories be damned.
There are probably many different ways we can approach our specific bodily issues. I think that it's great there are forums such as these for people to share their experiences, in an attempt to get everyone what they need as efficiently as possible. Charlatans and the simply inept populate the world. We gotta work together to find what's good - to find what works.
