Acupuncture question

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Noyb

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2019
Messages
2
Reason
PALS
Diagnosis
08/2019
Country
US
State
MD
City
Gaithersburg
Has anyone tried acupuncture to treat ALS and was there any improvement?

Also, has anyone traveled to China to get treated by acupuncture or herbal therapy by Chinese specialists?

If yes - were results any different than after treatment by US-based acupuncture specialists?

Would really appreciate if you can share your experience as this treatment is expensive.
 
There is no peer-reviewed literature suggesting that acupuncture or herbal therapy can modify the progress of ALS. And, if either did, you would have seen that evidence somewhere besides here.
 
Acupuncture can help with all kinds of pain and even with depression. I learned how to do it in a doctoral program. I've had it, over the years, for several issues and it worked for migraines and my shoulder. I've had it from a traditional Chinese medical doctor from China, who came here and set up a practice and I've had it from several US-trained doctors. The doctor from China, IMO, was better. He took longer, asked for more feedback. I didn't take the herbs that he wanted to give me.

Regarding the expense, I consider it about the same as a massage. If it works, it's totally worth it. I get regular acupressure on my feet and that seems to help my toes to stay straighter.
 
My sister did acupuncture with no positive effect on progression that she could tell and no increase in comfort.

I wouldn’t break the bank by traveling to get it. I think there are also negatives to being away from home and loved ones

if you can research people local to you and want to try that sounds reasonable if you can afford it
 
Thank you all for your feedback.
There are at least two references on acupuncture for ALS:
This is a summary of work done in China, claiming 6 out of 46 ALS patients had remission and 11 had marked improvement. Not easy to verify though.
This one is a case study from Australia, claiming improvement.
Aural and TGen are starting a clinical study to evaluate acupuncture, but obviously results will not be available any time soon.
So, there is indeed little verifiable information. For this reason, was looking for first-hand accounts of of those who tried it.
Once again, thank you for you responses - they are really helpful.
 
The first appears to be an article written by a person associated with the website on which it was published for the website. As you say not easily verifiable.

the second is a one person case study from an acupuncture journal.

perhaps you can look into participating in the study?
 
I tried acupuncture early on and felt no benefit. I don't see how it could prevent neurons from dying.
 
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