Acupuncture?

Oooo...thanks for sharing. That would be sweet if insurance covered it!! 

I'm not afraid of the needles, I've given birth, so it was just the cost that I though might hurt! :-) I was also thinking even if the acupuncture itself didn't help, that it might be some sort of zen experience where I would walk away all relaxed, and since my issue is induced by stress, I would probably benefit from it no matter what.  So hearing how your experience went is reassuring!! Thanks!!!

JUST got back from my first treatment. It was cool.  She has me on some herbal stuff as well.  At this point I am willing to try anything!!  I told her I was not nervous, and she said Good! Because when people are nervous or doubting this treatment or have lots of questions in their head, their Chi is all stuck, and she can feel it when she pushed the needles in.  When we were all done I asked her if my Chi was good or if it resisted, and she said it was great! Couldn't believe it was my first time! Haha!  So I go back 2 more times next week. $55 a pop. 

Thanks everyone for helping me take the plunge, or stick, or whatever.

Question, though.....why should you not swim for 8 hours?  Just wondering. Thanks!

I'm a total believer in acupuncture.  I used it for nausea/vomiting in pregnancy.  It was $50 each visit, but totally worth the effect of being able to eat and keep it down!  My first pregnancy, I threw up until I delivered...so when it started all over with the 2nd one, I was freaked!  Nothing else worked except for acupuncture!

I haven't used it for athletic injuries, but I definitely would try it!

I have been seeing an acupuncturist since July 06.  She's treated everything from my emotions to my cycle to ortho injuries.  She can do some amazing things with needles!  Definitely a believer here!  I think I have posted before how she actually moved my cycle up for me.  I didn't want it for something but it was due in like 3 days.  So, she used some needles and three hours later I had my period!  It was going SO fast that I ran out of tampons the next day at work...   I will remember this if my period is ever going to interfere with an A race!

In Rapid it's about $75/visit ($67.50 if I pay for a package of 12 upfront...that's about $810 but saves so much over the long haul that it's worth it).  It's pricey, but worth it.  She's practically become my counselor too and she spends a lot of time trying to help me.  So, it may be spendy, but I'm hooked!

In Denver I paid about $30.  So I guess it can range all over.

I tried it a number of times last year.  Insurance covered 50% of it.  I think I paid $25 per session.

I don't feel like it helped me much.  I'm not sure if my injury type/pain sources is one that is effectively treated by accupuncture.

A friend of mine is currently going and says its helped him tremendously. 

Good luck.  Hope it works well for you.

Oh, and I'll add another vote for myofascial release.  That HAS been a major help for me.

ITBS is why I originally went to accupuncture.  Turns out my knee was too far gone for anyone to fix short of surgery, but I really do believe that the acupuncture and massage kept me functional until I could talk the Air force into  LETTING me have surgery.

The Accupuncturist I went to zeroed right in on muscle deficiencies I had and used her accupuncture needles in conjunction with more typical PT stuff to try to fix my knee.

She did a bunch of other stuff too...bottom line...they have a huge variety of things they can work on.  If PT hasn't worked it is DEFINITELY worth a few needles before resorting to something more drastic like surgery.