Possible damage from acupuncture
May 20, 2022 3:46 PM Subscribe
My hand feels funny after acupuncture. Does this sound like nerve damage?
I've been receiving twice-weekly acupuncture treatments for about a month, as an attempt to help treat my neck pain from a car accident as well as more chronic back pain. The treatments happen in a community acupuncture center, with one woman handling all guests.
After about 7 treatments, my back was feeling a bit better, but my neck had not improved at all, so the acupuncturist told me it just may not work for my neck pain. My final appointment was four days ago, and over the last couple days I've noticed some localized pain on my left hand, where a needle had been inserted during treatment. It feels tender when I push on it or move my hand in a specific way. Today I also noticed a strange sensation in and around the area; a sort of tingly feeling that intensifies if my arm is hanging (and is most noticeable when I swing my arm back and forth. Sort of a tingly electric-shocky sensation).
Does this sound like nerve damage? It's only been four days, so I don't want to jump the gun if it's nothing, but it's not a sensation I'm used to and it seems clearly linked to acupuncture. My hand function seems fine and I'm not noticing any other symptoms.
Any idea how to proceed? Wait it out? Contact the acupuncturist? Schedule a doctor's appointment?
I've been receiving twice-weekly acupuncture treatments for about a month, as an attempt to help treat my neck pain from a car accident as well as more chronic back pain. The treatments happen in a community acupuncture center, with one woman handling all guests.
After about 7 treatments, my back was feeling a bit better, but my neck had not improved at all, so the acupuncturist told me it just may not work for my neck pain. My final appointment was four days ago, and over the last couple days I've noticed some localized pain on my left hand, where a needle had been inserted during treatment. It feels tender when I push on it or move my hand in a specific way. Today I also noticed a strange sensation in and around the area; a sort of tingly feeling that intensifies if my arm is hanging (and is most noticeable when I swing my arm back and forth. Sort of a tingly electric-shocky sensation).
Does this sound like nerve damage? It's only been four days, so I don't want to jump the gun if it's nothing, but it's not a sensation I'm used to and it seems clearly linked to acupuncture. My hand function seems fine and I'm not noticing any other symptoms.
Any idea how to proceed? Wait it out? Contact the acupuncturist? Schedule a doctor's appointment?
Response by poster: Just to clarify, I had my final appointment and am not going back.
posted by sucre at 4:26 PM on May 20, 2022
posted by sucre at 4:26 PM on May 20, 2022
Best answer: Not necessarily damage (although possible of course!) might just be compression of the nerve due to local inflammation and position of arm. I would be inclined to wait 3 days or so before I took it further in your shoes to see if as any bruising/inflammation comes down if symptoms reduce. I'd then go to a physical therapist for my neck (I do medical acupuncture and physical therapy in my work so feel great about both fields btw just what I'd do!)
posted by eastboundanddown at 4:41 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by eastboundanddown at 4:41 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also it sounds like your shoulder isn't in a great place so physical therapy for that too 😁
posted by eastboundanddown at 4:44 PM on May 20, 2022
posted by eastboundanddown at 4:44 PM on May 20, 2022
Best answer: IANYD
Tingly electric shocks are a common manifestation of nerve issues, but it can often resolve itself given time, rest, and potentially some anti-inflammatories. I can’t speak to the acupuncture part of this, but for me the triggers can be things like riding an ill-fitting bike for an hour, doing too many push-ups, or playing video games for too long - basically anything that either puts pressure on certain nerves. If it’s getting a little better day over day - tingles instead of jolts, weird feelings instead of tingles, only experiencing the sensations when you move a certain way vs most of the time - it will eventually resolve itself if your experience is similar to mine.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:58 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Tingly electric shocks are a common manifestation of nerve issues, but it can often resolve itself given time, rest, and potentially some anti-inflammatories. I can’t speak to the acupuncture part of this, but for me the triggers can be things like riding an ill-fitting bike for an hour, doing too many push-ups, or playing video games for too long - basically anything that either puts pressure on certain nerves. If it’s getting a little better day over day - tingles instead of jolts, weird feelings instead of tingles, only experiencing the sensations when you move a certain way vs most of the time - it will eventually resolve itself if your experience is similar to mine.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:58 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Numerous high quality randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture is no better than its placebo control
You need to see an actual professional, like a physical therapist or a neurologist. This should be covered under insurance from the car accident. If not, a lawyer should be able to get you a better settlement.
posted by flimflam at 8:31 AM on May 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
You need to see an actual professional, like a physical therapist or a neurologist. This should be covered under insurance from the car accident. If not, a lawyer should be able to get you a better settlement.
posted by flimflam at 8:31 AM on May 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks all! Just before posting this question I make a set of 3 physical therapy appointments for my neck. Gotta be honest, I tried acupuncture because a series of 10 treatments is the same cost (or less) than one medical appointment bill (yay America), so I wanted to give it a shot. Thanks for the help!
posted by sucre at 7:27 PM on May 21, 2022
posted by sucre at 7:27 PM on May 21, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tiny frying pan at 4:21 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]