Neilly A. Buckalew

Thank you for your question.

It is possible acupuncture can aid, is the simple answer, and could be worth trying. Be sure to discuss all additional treatments with the doctor prescribing medications, not a mid-level such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Never stop prescribed medications “cold turkey” as this can be dangerous. I would not recommend any herbs since she is on medications. Recommend having her vitamin D level checked. Finally, counseling and behavioral therapies can in some cases work as well as prescriptions, and it seems they work best together in Western medicine research. Exercise relieves symptoms, as simple as walking regularly, and yoga/meditation can help. Sleep hygiene and restorative sleep (non-medicated, but for melatonin) are a foundation of treatment for depression. You cannot get better if you are not sleeping. Also crucial is having a safe person or place that she trusts in times of need and doubt.

Again communicate clearly and be transparent with all involved in her care. (This is not a substitution for your provider’s medical care and guidance.)

Be well,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question.

The question I would have is, are there issues with fertility in the first place? If there are, then that needs to be medically evaluated first. In a general sense, reducing stress can help with fertility and pregnancy maintenance, and acupuncture can help with stress reduction.

Without knowing your specific health history, this is not really a question that can be answered adequately with a general answer. If for any reason you choose acupuncture for your current health, be sure to let your acupuncturist know that you are working on achieving pregnancy, as well as if you become pregnant, as there are certain acupuncture points we do not use during pregnancy and at certain times of pregnancy.

Regards,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question.

The first that has to be answered for your wife is why the change. Then it can be determined the most appropriate treatment. There are many diverse reasons why this could be happening.

Kind regards,

B

Good day,

If you are asking if acupuncture can help with stress, generally, yes. If you're asking about pain, you will need to be more specific about the type of pain.

Above all, take care of yourself. Stress is the cause of many chronic conditions. Asking about what can help and recognizing your job is a source of stress is a great start.

Be well,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question.

It’s not a straightforward answer regarding using acupuncture for insomnia. It really depends on the nature of your insomnia. There are many medical problems that could be contributing to your insomnia, including things like sleep apnea of which needs to be medically assessed and treated first. The list of potential contributions to insomnia is very long. There are many potential treatments for insomnia depending on what is causing it. Sleep hygiene is the base of all treatments.

Acupuncture in general can be complementary in helping with any condition. The key is having a skilled and experienced acupuncturist. It’s also important to discuss with all of your providers the treatments that you are pursuing so that they can be integrated as best as possible.

Kind regards,

B

It can be either. Depends on the condition(s).

Regards,
B

Let your primary care doctor know what additional treatments you are undergoing for any medical condition, whether it be acupuncture, chiropractic care, or dietary changes and supplements, etc. If your acupuncturist is knowledgeable, well-trained, and licensed, they should be able to help you with balancing your overall health and therefore may help with blood pressure.

As an added suggestion, it has been found that doing particular types of deep breathing exercises on a daily basis can help lower blood pressure. It may be helpful to find someone skilled, trained, and certified in breathing exercises that can help with your overall health.

Be well,

B

Thank you for your question.

Acupuncture may offer a way to balance over all health to decrease episodes of eczema but acupuncture needles should never be placed through skin that has any type of abrasion, rash, open wound, etc. The skin itself must be intact and a healthy area.

Thank you for your question.

First she needs to make sure that there’s nothing going on that is treatable with respect to her fatigue. Four instance, with kidney disease there are toxins that can build up in your system that can cause extreme fatigue. Anemia is ankther common cause of fatigue in those with kidney disease. Another source of a fatigue in patients with chronic diseases are medications. Sometimes this can be changed by one’s doctor to decrease the adverse effect of fatigue but still achieve the important medical treatment objective. Also, depression can be a cause of fatigue. This is not a complete list of possible causes, and should be assessed by a medical doctor.

Acupuncture may help. Ask around to see if there is an acupuncturist who is experienced with migraine relief and prevention as well as auricular acupuncture and what is called “seeding” with beads of the ear for self relief.

You might also talk with a neurologist about botox treatments. I have used these types of injections with great success.

Regards,

B

Sorry, to hear about how distressing your symptoms are. Acupuncture maybe a very helpful adjunct for symptom relief. The higher level of training and experience an acupuncturist has is important as with any care.

Be well,

B

Thank you for your question.

Diet and exercise are the key to cholesterol management. In some cases people do need medications that a physician is best able to determine.

If you have a stressful life acupuncture can help with this and balance overall well being.

Kind regards,

Dr. B

Thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, your answer has no definitive answer and is very relative. There are no set times, it varies depending upon the imbalances and types of treatments, the response, etc.

If you've worked with an acupuncturist before whom you felt comfortable with, then I would suggest speaking with them and to work with a medical doctor and/or a Naturopath who can integrate your treatments for, I believe you may mean, PCOS.

Be well,

B

Thank you for your question.

Effectiveness studies in acupuncture show promise with joint pain. The skill of the acupuncturist, as with any provider, is important as well. I recommend at minimum a Master's level of profession.

Multi-modality approaches are the most effective, which include physical therapy and, if needed, weight loss. Physiatrists are the most qualified providers to oversee a complete program.

Be well,

B

A skilled acupuncturist can help you feel comfortable. There may be a pricking sensation, but once the needles are in, you should be comfortable. Everyone is different with what they can and cannot tolerate. Talk with your acupuncturist about your experience. Ask if they use electrical stimulation, as some find this not as tolerable as others.

Thank you for your question.

Acupuncture would help best as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing your sleep. The best approach to sleep is sleep hygiene. Sleep disruption can degrade your overall health. Acupuncture alone would not be the best avenue in your situation.

Regards,
B

Good day,

Thanks for your question.
If this occurs specifically only after acupuncture, yes, this can be a result of acupuncture for a number of reasons, the simplest being that you are more relaxed. Discuss with your provider, though, as they may need to adjust your sessions so that you are alert for driving if you drive after.

Be well,

B

Thank you for your question.

It is possible that acupuncture can help.

First, it important for your spouse to discuss with their primary care doctor the symptoms and for their provider to rule out possible serious issues such as an ulcer or any other number of issues.

Sometimes what we assume is a GI issue may not be GI but can be due to other conditions, for instance pulmonary or heart. Hence, allowing a primary care doctor to assess and weigh in is important.

Your spouse’s primary care doctor may have an established working relations with an acupuncturist, hence a recommendation on who to work with. Medical care is optimal when all your providers communicate with each other and do not operate in a silo.

Be Well,
Dr. B

Good day,

It depends on many things, but one can consider acupuncture the central treatment or an adjunct.

Kind regards,
B

Good day,

Thank you for your question.

It would be best to consult the treating acupuncturist regarding their ability and approach to assist. This is a very specific diagnosis and as I am not your sister's provider, I do not and should not have the specifics about whether acupuncture can help. Ultimately, it is your sister’s choice and her privacy and autonomy with what can be emotionally very challenging to navigate should be respected and supported.

Again, thank you for wanting to educate yourself and reaching out.

Kind regards,
B