Acupuncture popularity?

[Celebration]

I haven't been to our wonderful Taiwanese acupuncturist brothers in about three years, mainly because I have various devices to increase my energy level, which was my main issue. (They always noticed a big difference in me after I used my electromagnetic mat and told me to keep using it).

I just found out my son in law is now going to them, that his boss went, and it transformed his life. My son in law is more of a traditionalist than I so I was a bit surprised that he started going. So get this! His boss's orthopedic doctor recommended he try it *before* spinal fusion, to see if acupuncture could work to avoid the surgery. He was totally able to avoid spinal fusion. I started going to these guys over a decade ago when it was easy to get an appointment. In fact, at that time only one of them did the acupuncture, and the other one did moxibustion. Now with this orthopedic surgeon recommending them before trying back surgery, it seems that TPTB with tons of connections here have started going to them and it now takes one month to get an appointment.

Has anyone noticed this effect with acupuncturists in their cities? That you can't get an appointment with them because they are so popular? Apparently now some lawyers that are going to them are trying to talk them into franchising the business, LOL.

My question, is this part of the shift in consciousness? I mean, these guys have been practicing here for a long, long time. At first they struggled with their business, then they did better, then they were able to move to bigger offices. But all along, everything was slow but steady growth. But in the last two years, apparently EXPLOSIVE growth.

Is this in any way a nationwide trend? Or is it just here?

[Kind of Blue]

1. My only experience was about

8 years ago when a friend recommended acupuncture. I thought it odd that the 5 places nearby that I called were all booked for about a month. My friend got me in to see his within a week and her chiropractor partner in business the same day. From that I always just assumed that acupuncture is very effective, though it didn't work for me.

At 3:04 in this Dr. Oz Show video, http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alternative-medicine-controversy-pt-2 acupuncture is discussed and the cardiologist states exactly why she sends her patients to acupuncturists for non-pharmaceutical pain treatment. Part 3 continues a little bit with the skeptic doctor debunking the whole thing, and a nice finish of the topic by Oz. Perhaps this is the cause, more doctors as in you SIL's case are simply finding it works for many people though they can't figure out exactly why, and they're just not throwing out what evidence is out there. I found it interesting that the cardiologist judged the NIH Consensus Statement as enough evidence for her.

[Celebration]

2. Is acupuncture covered by insurance there?

It isn't here, which is one reason why it is harder taking hold here. Also, LOL, we are in the middle of the bible belt. What really floored me was that my son in law told me about one guy that started studying taoism (or something, I forget what) based on his experience with acupuncture. We are talking mega super connected super wealthy people in the community that have finally figured all this out, after decades, in the bible belt.

But maybe acupuncture is an even longer wait now where you are? My daughter lives in Seattle where there are tons of acupuncturists and I don't think it is that way there.

It is probably just these particular acupuncturists here. Not sure. I'd love to figure out if this has to do with a general shift in consciousness. I know finding this out totally took me by surprise.

[Kind of Blue]

4. Interesting, that's a good point.

Mine wasn't covered those years ago, but chiropracty(?) was. My friend had both covered back then and I'm sure still does. My sisters' insurance covers both, as well.

There are lots and lots of them here, too, but I've only tried the one. I bought this eLiveLife.com package at a fair a few weeks ago and this thread reminded me to check it out. All their medical massage provider sites I've hit don't necessarily talk about the shift in consciousness. To me, it seems just a matter of fact in the way they talk about their services. I'm surely going to try an acupuncturist now that I know my problem is muscular and not bone. Maybe it'll help the therapist adjust them needles differently or something :D

[Celebration]

5. the frustrating thing is that it can take awhile to work

And meanwhile you are shelling out money out of pocket. My sister went to an acupuncturist twice for a back problem and gave up after that. My son in law's boss took six weeks to notice a difference. But honestly the Taiwanese guys do things a bit too aggressively for my husband. They put electrical stimulation on the needles and that aggravated the problem. We could have asked them not to do it but by that time he wasn't ready to invest any more time in it.

Maybe it IS just a coincidence that they all of a sudden have gotten crazy busy. They have always been really good but why is it NOW that finally really catches on. I just wondered if the timing of it was of any significance.

[Kind of Blue]

6. You know what?

I think I'm going to ask the therapist exactly your question. I've narrowed down my choices between a chiropractor/medical message guy and a guy from Thailand with a whole bunch of acronyms behind his name :D It would make a good article for an investigative medical reporter.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Acupuncture helped me avoid spine surgery

and I no longer need cortisone shots in my lower spine twice a year.

The acupuncturist gave good discounts to people covered with certain insurance plans, and I found her through my insurance company. However her rates have gone up a lot in the past few years. Since I'm unemployed, I can't afford to go back.

[BlueIris]

7. Our acupuncturists are now having to advertise.

Mostly because activity in their offices has gone down since the Great Recession kicked in. They do charge money. (Not saying that's wrong, but at least two told me they think it's the cost keeping people away, not stigma or the belief that "it doesn't work.")

[Celebration]

8. you know, that is what I would have expected

That is why I was so shocked that these guys have a month long wait. It seems as if this is a local phenomenon, sparked by at least one orthopedic doctor here guiding his patients towards these specific acupuncturists before submitting to surgery.