Like everything else, there are acupuncturists and there are acupuncturists. My first experience with acupuncture was with an American-trained, board-certified internist who took a 6-week course in California. This did not go well.

More recently I had four sessions with a far more qualified person. One of the sessions made my symptoms dramatically worse, which certainly revealed the power of acupuncture.

I reached my maximum dollar expenditure before gaining any real help from acupuncture, and can't afford any more. But if you have access to a skilled practitioner, I think it's worth a try. The acupuncturist should spend a considerable amount of time with you first, learning the details of your symptoms and more. If that doesn't happen, I would not expect the needles to be very effective.

The needles don't hurt, by the way. The process is relaxing.

In a church where I was, one of the female members had been in so much pain with cancer, what brand I don't remember, if I heard, that it was difficult to have people touch her bed, I heard. Her daughter was married to the son of an older doctor in a nearby village, who had heard that acupuncture could sometimes be effectual in pain alleviation. He'd suggested to the younger doctors in their group practice that they might like to be trained and certified in acupuncture, but they were not interested, so he did that, himself.

He provided acupuncture care to the woman who was suffering the cancer, and she obtained major relief, but I don't remember what level there may have been of residual pain. I don't know how many treatments were involved or over what period of time, or how long the pain reduction lasted after treatment. I don't remember how long she lived, or whether the level of relief deteriorated over time.

Sorry that I have such little precise information to offer - it was 40 years ago.

ole joyful

My experience with it is when I worked at a horse barn. We had a vet who came on a schedule to treat any horse who was having any type of problem. I watched many different treatments. The horse would stand quietly while the vet inserted the needles. The treatment apparently worked or the owners of the horse barn would not have continued to pay for it. I worked there for 15 years.

I hope you've seen a medical doctor, renee. Many people have thyroid imbalances and I believe it's easily treated. Some of your complaints may be related and some not.

Acupuncture is widely available and used in my area. From what I've heard, treatments for pain seem to have the highest degree of patient satisfaction but it's not always successful. There's "some" evidence of its effectiveness for pain, no evidence (to my knowledge) for treatment of other things.

Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: One study reviewing acupuncture effectiveness

My experience with acupuncture was an incredible one.....for my DOG! She woke me up one Saturday morning in terrible pain.....it was clearly in her back. My usual vet was closed on Saturday but I did find one open, so I rushed her there, more than a little apprehensive, I tell you.

Much to my shock, after a careful hands on examination, the vet asked me if I would consider acupuncture, his first recommendation for Georgia. What?? This was twenty years ago, in a small southern town...acupuncture was not a typical veterinary procedure, if you know what I mean.

Less than an hour later, we walked out of the office, Georgia with a decided spring in her step. Before the treatment, she couldn't walk.

She was totally relaxed during the procedure, practically going to sleep even when the needles were hooked up to a battery. She turned into a rag doll when he messaged her afterwards, deep messaging, stretching and compressing her legs and hips.

My goodness, she was a happy little girl when we left that office.

Sorry, not much help regarding your question.

Thank you everyone for your comments so far. snidely - I am seeing an endocrinologist. My levels (through medication) are in the normal range. I am wondering if acupuncture would be helpful, in addition to my medication, to feel better in general. I have discussed this with my doctor who is open-minded about it. I talked to a new acupuncturist in town who told me about a third of her patients are thyroid patients. Since I don't really know much about acupuncture I wanted to get some feedback.

It must be relaxing rhizo - the acupuncturist told me that many of her patients fall asleep. She said patients are there for anywhere between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours and some even longer. For that reason alone it may be worth it! :)

I haven't tried it but I have a friend that had terrible migraines. Once she had a migraine that lasted 30 days. She was desperate for relief. The doctors suggested that they go in and cut the nerve causing the pain but they admitted that they were not sure that would work. Her MD suggested acupuncture so she gave it a try. It worked. Her migraine went away and she has not had a migraine in over a year. I know that she needed more than one treatment. As far as I know, she is not going through the treatments any longer. I say give it a try. It can't hurt and it sounds like your MD is good with you trying this.

I had my first acupuncture visit today. It was strange but I liked it. Very relaxing. I had about fifteen needles in me - my legs, my arms, top of my head, my forehead and my ear. That's all that I know about anyway.

Each patient lays in either in a lounger or in a zero gravity chair and then the acupuncturist puts the needles in. I felt a slight pick when the needles go in - some I didn't feel at all. I didn't feel them at all after a minute or so. The lights were low and there was soft music playing. I was offered pillows and blankets. I chose a pillow under my knees. One guy came in and almost immediately fell asleep and started snoring. She told me that many of her patients fall asleep during treatment. I was there about an hour or so and almost fell asleep!

I was very relaxed afterwards and I did notice an immediate big difference. I have no sinus or allergy issues - that was even a question on the form which I said no to. I can breathe so much easier now. It is amazing. And I would have told you that I was breathing absolutely fine before. I have heard people say it greatly helps their sinuses and now I understand why.

I am going to continue seeing her to see what other benefits I may find with acupuncture. :)

That's great, Renee! Glad you had such a positive experience.

I fully believe I have thyroid problems that are subclinical and can't get relief from a physician (not until it gets "bad enough"). Doctors don't have all the answers. And their hands can be tied. Sometimes. They're not gods much to their chagrin.

Many physicians do not know that the "values" for TSH have been changed. The total serum hormone used to be between 5 and 7 and now it's 3 to 5 so you need to know the value of your TSH. That being said, there are many people who have all the symptoms but normal range TSH and the New England journal of medicine states they should be treated as well. My 3 sisters and I all have hypo thyroid, our values are not normal but one sister's is and she's being treated just like us, with levoxyl so get a print out of your values. You may need a new dr. who understands and treats you. Google Mary Shoman who has a wonderful site with all this information. Good luck. I love my acupuncturist, he's done so much for me.