Has anyone has success with acupuncture? I have a j-pouch with an original diagnosis of UC, later re-diagnosed with Crohn's. Have been working with an acupuncturist and am pretty tired. She says it is because I have been existing in "fight or flight" mode for years.
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Hi Barbara Yes I did go for acupuncture a year after J-pouch surgery. I didn't think it worked for me. I went for 12 sessions. I found it relaxing but didn't think it helped my issues. Everyone is different. Ulcerative Colitis surgery date 2010. Good luck Grace
Exactly what does acupuncture help with when having a jpouch?
From what I understand, It doesn't help with the j-pouch specifically, but is targeting boosting the immune system. She is also working on helping with nutrient absorption as well as some of my discomfort from Crohn's symptoms through a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and dietary modification. I have only had four sessions and we are going slow with dietary modification because I can't afford to lose weight. At this point, my pouch is functioning about the same. I did start a new probiotic which my acupuncturist suggested but it is too soon to tell how it affects my pouch.
I have no clue how acupuncture can help overcome the difficulties anybody experiences with a j pouch, there's just no overcoming the physics of a pouch by jabbing yourself with a needle.
I'm always a bit skeptical about things that are supposed to "boost the immune system." For one thing, I have no idea what it means, and neither do the folks recommending it. For another thing, if it actually did boost the immune system, folks with IBD might get worse, since it seems like our immune systems are already much too boosted.
I've tried acupuncture on and off, for various purposes, and it didn't do much for me. If I believed it were going to boost my immune system I'd stay the heck away.
Sounds reasonable Scout. I didn't really understand how acupuncture would help as well. That being said, alternatives to western medicine can't be overlooked. My goal is to get off of prednisone totally, not have to use biologics anymore (which have all stopped working) and have more energy.
So, has anyone had a positive response to acupuncture?
