My Doctor Prescribed Accupuncture For My Tendinitis

[mgidm86]

I told him I didn't want it but he keeps persisiting. I finally agreed and had an appointment today, but I cancelled it.

This is a workers comp insurance claim. He has his own floor of the hospital (Occupational Therapy) with the physical therapists, and an accupuncturist as well.

I told him I do not want to be treated for pain, meaning if something isn't helping my condition then I don't want it. I am also highly skeptical of accupuncture. Actually I think it's bull pucky. Obviously, I posted this in the Paranormal forum.

I did some quick research and see some doctors say it can help. Doesn't mean squat to me. I've had some bad doctors in my life.

So what say you all? I think accupuncture is mostly considered woo, especially here at the forum. But has anything changed in recent years?

His therapists mention it too. I feel like I'm getting a sell job, like "Hey we need to get the witch doctor some appointments to validate his or her existence here". I don't want to contribute to that if it's 100% BS.

Edit to add:
I see someuse electric current in conjunction with the needles to "speed up recovery"

 

[Belz...]

I told him I didn't want it but he keeps persisiting.

Tell him you don't want quack medecine and ask for a second opinion if possible. If that's not possible, suggest an exorcism or bloodletting instead.

 

[Norman Alexander]

Ask for some reiki instead as you have a phobia of needles. If he says reiki is bull-puckey, ask him why he thinks acupuncture is any different. If he can't say why and won't stop pushing acupuncture regardless, find another doctor.

 

[arthwollipot]

"Instead could you prescribe something that is actually better than a placebo?"

 

[mgidm86]

Haha!

I am getting what I want from him though otherwise, and I have pushed for some of it. MRI for one, I had to bug him a little. And he's a cool guy overall.

He asked one day if I was anti-vax and I said hell no, and we had a great conversation after that.

I don't wanna say he's pushing it super duper hard, but he's mentioned it more than once as an option. Otherwise he seems "normal". I feel I'm getting good care.

I told him I am a skeptic and don't believe in it. I went along with it as a "what the heck" thing but when I woke up today I decided not to go.

I've told him I do not want pain relief, I only want to improve my condition as much as possible.

 

[p0lka]

If it's free then it's an opportunity to see if it actually works, curiosity would drag me in..

 

[mgidm86]

If it's free then it's an opportunity to see if it actually works, curiosity would drag me in..

It almost did today but I want more information. Today was to be an "assessment" I realized, and I just don't have time for multiple appointments if it's BS.

Is Johns-Hopkins any kind of reliable source?

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture

I can reschedule too.

I do my stretches and exercises, I use ice and heat, depending. How would I even know it's helping?

 

[mgidm86]

After further reading I'm just not going to do it. "No scientific basis" is enough for me, and that is what I'm seeing amongst all the other claims.

 

[Venom]

What a loon! Why doesn't he go back to medical school undergrad biology.

 

[mgidm86]

Thing is the workers comp insurance is going to pay for it. This is in a Kaiser hospital (huge US provider), so not some back street doctor.

I was surprised at that. Like where's the Crystal Therapy room? Why is accupuncture gaining legitimacy in this way?

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

If it's free then it's an opportunity to see if it actually works, curiosity would drag me in..

No it isn't.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Ask the guy for supporting RCT research supporting the benefits with your particular problem.

 

[mgidm86]

No it isn't.

Yep. My Mom has seen the same chiropractor for decades. All these years and you're still not better? In fact, nothing is broken that needs fixing! "I just need an adjustment"

Ya to your wallet.

 

[mgidm86]

Ask the guy for supporting RCT research supporting the benefits with your particular problem.

Will do! I will definitely ask him for evidence (RTC = Randomized Controlled Trials, I gather?).

Weird thing is (to me) they still haven't done imaging. He didn't want to at all, but I pushed. Maybe it doesn't always show anything. Probably just expensive.

Shouldn't that come first? He said, "Sometimes people see too much on an MRI and want everything fixed". Ummm okaaaay. I could see that, kinda maybe. One of his therapists said the same when I told her he said that. Bull pucky, I say.

Auto mechanic is the oppoite - they wanna fix everything! Difference? They get paid cash.

Now the other day he said, "We'll do the Accupuncture, then get you that MRI"

I kinda felt like I had to do the Accu, which is really why I agreed (to get the MRI). Then I thought, if that's the case he'll get in a lot of trouble, especially holding up actual treatment for woo.

I could be totally wwrong on that though. We'll see!

I feel like I have to say the right thing to get what I want with this workers comp thing. Like they are trying to trap me. Really not something I want to worry about when seeking medical care.

ETA:
And thank you to everyone for the responses. This is important to me and this tendinitis is making my life very difficult.

He asked me more than once, "Are you looking for permanent disability?"

"What? NO!!! I want to get better! I'll PAY YOU if you can do that, insurance be damned!"

Frickin weird overall experience.

 

[mgidm86]

I also thought accupuncture did something to the nerves (pressure?). I see that it is still based on Qi. Not even pretending it's medicine.

From my hospital website:

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org...alifornia/santaclara/departments/acupuncture/

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It’s based on the theory that energy, called Qi(say “chee”), flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians.

Acupuncture is done by inserting very thin sterile acupuncture needles into the skin/muscle at certain points on your body. This is done to influence the energy flow.

Seriously? Wow.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

RTC, yes, randomized controlled trials.

Kaiser, and in this area its predecessor Group Health, have some alt-med for a couple reasons. 1) patients bug them for it and it is in essence caving to marketing. And 2) states like WA have legislators influenced by the squeaky woo-wheels that harass them. They passed a law here requiring health insurers to cover some alt med.


Tendonitis is a pretty straight forward diagnosis. Not sure MRIs are routinely ordered for diagnosis. Are you not improving with resting the tendon?

Generally rest and anti-inflammatories are the treatment of choice. Once the area has healed you next go to prevention which involves ergonomics and in the case of feet, SuperFeet inserts. Not cheap but they work instantly.

And those armbands that take the pressure off the inflamed tendon work well.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I also thought accupuncture did something to the nerves (pressure?). I see that it is still based on Qi. Not even pretending it's medicine.

From my hospital website:

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org...alifornia/santaclara/departments/acupuncture/




Seriously? Wow.

Meanwhile over at https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/relieving-pain-with-acupuncture

Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at specific "acupoints." This may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood.

(Highlighting mine.)

and

Does acupuncture really work to quell pain? The evidence is mixed, with some studies showing that acupuncture relieves pain and others showing that it works no better than "sham" acupuncture (procedures designed to mimic acupuncture but to have no real effect, much like a placebo, or "sugar pill," used in medication studies). One of the problems with deciphering these results is that most acupuncture studies have been small. The design of "sham" acupuncture techniques has also varied widely, which complicates any comparison. It's also possible that acupuncture works for some people and not others.

Maybe somewhat closer to the truth.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Meanwhile over at https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/relieving-pain-with-acupuncture

(Highlighting mine.)

and

Maybe somewhat closer to the truth.

I'm pretty sure what is mixed is the quality of the studies.

If it's all about releasing endorphins why do said 'points' matter?

 

[mgidm86]

RTC, yes, randomized controlled trials.

Kaiser, and in this area its predecessor Group Health, have some alt-med for a couple reasons. 1) patients bug them for it and it is in essence caving to marketing. And 2) states like WA have legislators influenced by the squeaky woo-wheels that harass them. They passed a law here requiring health insurers to cover some alt med.


Tendonitis is a pretty straight forward diagnosis. Not sure MRIs are routinely ordered for diagnosis. Are you not improving with resting the tendon?

Generally rest and anti-inflammatories are the treatment of choice. Once the area has healed you next go to prevention which involves ergonomics and in the case of feet, SuperFeet inserts. Not cheap but they work instantly.

And those armbands that take the pressure off the inflamed tendon work well.

Yes I believe he also said an MRI isn't always necesary, but I've had this for quite awhile, moreso carpal tunnel. And it's in both arms. It's probably mainly from computer use and I've used both hands with a mouse for decades.

One radiologist a few years ago said my ulna (I think) is a bit long and could be pressuring nerves in the wrist. Another doctor, and some research, makes me question this - short version. But I dunno I seem to have some weird issues.

So I thought an MRI might help. But what do I know? He agreed to do it so <shrug> can't hurt I guess.

I had a nerve conductivity test a few years ago, which was pretty uncomfortable but fascinating, and they diagnosed it as carpal with some tendinitis, as I recall.

The carpal has been around a long time, tendinitis seems a lot newer.

It's very frustrating.

Oh since I stopped doing my repetitive job, the more acute(?) pain is gone. I mean the new pain associated with that job. Now the longer term underlying condition, if you will, is what I'm hoping I can do something about.

I want to get as much care as I can through this workers comp thing, then go to my normal provider. And it was my boss's idea to do workers comp. I didn't come to him, but that's another story.

Thank you for all the advice and information, I really appreciate it.

ETA:
I do the armbands, sleep with a wrist brace, and I had my doctor and therapists approve them. I'm trying to do everything right, and limit my computer use at home too. So I should stop typing for a bit

 

[The Atheist]

Why is accupuncture gaining legitimacy in this way?

Because doctors would rather prescribe something than nothing, and acupuncture at least looks like a medical treatment.

The NZ system of healthcare for injuries means that everything is paid for through central government, and acupuncture gets a sizable portion of a very large budget. $44 million in the year to June 2019.