Acupuncturists--is this the norm?

Options

Hi, ladies. I need some input. I tried acupuncture through my cancer center last week for nausea relief. I went on two days, and had two different acupuncturists--one female, one male.

The woman was very nice, didn't give me a hard sell on eastern medicine, only made one vague comment on negative ki (sp?) causing cancer that I let slide. She nicked one of my veins, though, causing a lot of pain and bruising. So I'm not sure how compentant she is.

The man, on the other hand, was WAY too passionate about eastern medicine considering he was volunteering at a cancer center and his only function there was to relieve my nausea. First he questioned why I was doing chemo since my cancer hadn't spread. (sort of a moot point at this juncture, isn't it?) He admitted he knew very little about cancer, which I thought was all the more reason to keep his mouth shut. Then he asked if my hair was falling out. No, I like wearing this ridiculous scarf on my head, and by the way, I'm a little sensitive about this. Then after the treatment, he wanted to know if I had a spiritual outlet, did I go to church. I said yes, I was Catholic, and he laughed and said, "Well, there's part of your problem right there!" He himself was a fallen away Catholic and thought I'd enjoy hearing how much he hated the religion, I guess. Finally, and this took the cake, he gave me a very lengthy lecture about how my repressed anxiety caused my cancer, as his mother's repressed anger towards his father had caused his mother's bc, and that b/c I'd said I figured I'd always end up with cancer (since both my parents had/have it, as well as 3 other close relatives) I also brought it upon myself b/c I should have been concentrating on not getting it instead. Wow. 

He suggested I watch "The Secret", which is more drivel along these lines, then asked what I thought about all of this. I told him I disagreed with everything he said, that I knew my cancer is genetically driven in some way (I'm 39 years old with a strong family history, for crying out loud), and that if we could all think ourselves well, then obviously we would.  Then I thanked him for his time and left. And promply filed a complaint with the cancer center.

So I guess my question is, if I decide that acupuncture is beneficial in some manner (I just had chemo #2, so we'll see if I feel better than chemo #1), and I decide to seek out someone in private practice since the practicioners at the cancer center aren't going to work out, are all acupuncurists like this? I'm really hesitent to go to someone in private practice for fear of getting more of the same as from this man. Actually, had I seen him at his private practice, I wouldn't have been as astounded by his comments as I was at the cancer center, where his only job was to shut up and stick needles in me. I could laugh what he said off, but some people might have gotten even more upset than I had, and that worried me.

Any thoughts? I'd rather be nauseous than have to listen to more nonsense about how I caused my cancer through not being perky enough.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Nash, you can take this to the bank...my mother should have cancer.  Oh, I'm not wishing that on her or ANYONE else.  She turned 91 in July.  I believe she almost hated my father.  I say "almost" because I do not know exactly what was in her mind.  However, she treated him very poorly (he wasn't an angel either).  My mom is/was the most bitter person I probably have ever met.  She could do kind things and turn around and be just the total opposite.

    You are too smart to think that you caused your cancer.  In my opinion perhaps you need to educate this nut before he makes a believer out of people who do not know better.

    My daughter gave me "The Secret."  She has changed her denomination from protestant to something strange.  I do not argue with her about her new found belief.  She's a highly intelligent person. 

    I couldn't "get into" the Secret.  However, I will try watching it again.  I think there's absolutely NOTHING wrong in thinking postitive.  But, I know I did not give myself cancer (no big genetics in my family), I know my attitude or beliefs didn't cause my cancer, I know the stress that I've been under didn't cause my cancer (other people are stressed more than I), and I think the man needs to keep his thoughts to himself.  When some people convert to a "new belief" they try to convert the rest of the world.  I've seen it over and over.

    I haven't tried accupuncture so I can't give you any input as to what the private practices do.  However, you certainly can ask and if they try to push beliefs on you then don't even go to them.  I would definitely let them know I'm concerned.  Heck, that's enough to cause anyone CANCER! LOL

    Shirley

  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited September 2007

    I have never been to an accupuncturist, but I would feel as upset as %$##@%* if someone did this to me. I'm so sorry you went through this. Good for you for writing a letter of complaint!



    I think that anyone who thinks they know all the answers, whether they practice Eastern, Western, Southern, or Northern medicine, is not in a good place to help people.



    There are good and bad people in every profession. Personalities and/or styles can clash with people who know their stuff.



    I don't see how anyone would want to go to an accupuncturist if they were treated like this. I'm sure there are competent, caring people out there.

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2007

    I encourage you to speak with a few private accupuncturists.  Anyone who is legit will meet with you so you and the therapist can get to know each other a little and see if the fit is good, without charge.  Since you will be paying, it is your right to "hire" an accupuncturist who will treat you respectfully and sensitively.  I know a few accurpuncturists and all are in favor of Eastern healing as a result of their training, but none try to 'convert' their clients.  In rural Maine, if they did, they wouldn't HAVE any clients! 

  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited September 2007
    I LOVE my acupunturist!   He is THE BEST!  Yes, he is into alternatives but that is right up my alley and I LOVE discussing herbs, etc. with him.  HOWEVER, he has NEVER suggested that I caused my own cancer in anyway.  I think I would have slapped him, pulled out all of the needles and shoved them up his.......nose.  Cool  Shop around, if it is helping you, go for it. 
  • cats_love_me
    cats_love_me Member Posts: 109
    edited September 2007

    Wow that is absolutely horrible the way you were treated.  I have a fabulous accupuncturist.  He is absolutely wonderful.  My mom is the one w/ cancer, I just read a lot here to get all the wonderful info around.

    I've done the accupuncture on occasion when I have nasia issues, but they are stomach problems.   What I really like the accupuncture for is a pain relief, and the relaxation benefit/stress reduction.

    My accupuncturist, was born in china, was a chinese doctor, trained in china, and teaches at the local university (osu) in the alternative medicine area.   I say ask around, talk to all the people you know, and find attempt to find an accupuncturist thru a reference if possible.  Thats how I found mind from a friend. 

    On a rare occasion I will get a bruise, but its only happened once in close to a year of me going.  I do massage therapy too, and  well on an occasion, you get a bruise from that too, since I do deep tissue work for problem muscles. 

    Good luck, find someone else.  I don't think you should have to listen to garbage from a provider.

    Connie

  • acgw
    acgw Member Posts: 286
    edited September 2007

    Wow Nash,

    Your experience was just plain ridiculous. Were these people licensed acupuncturists? That male acupuncturist sounds like he needs to see a shrink!

    What is your cancer center thinking allowing someone like that to touch any of their patients?

    I am a firm believer in acupuncture.  I have only had one experience with it, did it because I was curious and found myself relieved of a nagging pain that I had for at least ten years.

    I believe that acupuncture has it's place in adjuvant treatment for many illnesses. Don't let this wack job turn you from what can be a very good treatment modality.

    Oh and by the way, anyone who would knock someone's path to God as being incorrect is about as enlightened as an ameoba.  

  • Blundin2005
    Blundin2005 Member Posts: 1,167
    edited September 2007

    Hi Nash,



    I'm so very sorry to hear the experience with the acupuncturists that you recounted.



    My experience was in the US in the 90's and before I had bc. I drove a friend who had lupus to her appointments. I took some therapy as well for menopause along with herbs ... chinese medicine. The acupuncturist was also a medical doctor and trained at U of P. In fact, HUP Cancer Center referred their cancer patients to her also.



    If I might suggest, it would be beneficial to both you and the cancer center to relay your experience. It may be that there is another practitioner that they can recommend.



    Acupuncture is an affective therapy when properly administered. My surgeon recently recommended it for me and I asked for a referral.



    Hope that you find relief of your discomforts.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2007

    Thanks, ladies. I appreciate everyone's input. Yes, this guy was a licensed and suppossedly well respected acupuncturist. The chemo nurses said other patients have complained that he's "creepy". He's only been volunteering at the cancer center for about a month, so hopefully he's be gone soon. The administration there was aghast when I told them what he said to me.

    I have another appointment tomorrow with the first acupuncurist (the woman who bruised me the first time), and we'll see how that goes. She also wanted to do an herbal consult, which I was all for.

    I'm heartened to hear there are good acupunturists out there. I'll just have to put effort into finding one. The creepy man I had at the cancer center was a free visit, so I guess I got my money's worth!

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2007

    Something to look into--in Maine accupuncturists are licensed just like medical Drs, have to prove thier training.  If your state does the same, make sure you see licensed people only.  That way, too, if there is a problem, you can report them to the state and protect someone else from being treated as badly as you were. 

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2007

    Something to look into--in Maine accupuncturists are licensed just like medical Drs, have to prove thier training.  If your state does the same, make sure you see licensed people only.  That way, too, if there is a problem, you can report them to the state and protect someone else from being treated as badly as you were. 

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2007

    My apologies for the double posting, I'm not sure what I did to make that happen! 

  • acupunc
    acupunc Member Posts: 27
    edited September 2007

    Dear Nash,

    I am so sorry that you had this experience with the clinic acupuncturist.  I am an acupuncturist and I have treated women with cancer for many years.  I also go once a month for treatments to help keep me in balance and good health, and to enable me to keep nurturing others.  Now that I have been diagnosed with DCIS, I get to put the shoe on the other foot!  My acupuncturist was one of the first people I called, and I also am working with a holistic ob/gyn who will prepare some herbal remedies for pre-op, post-op, radiation, and chemo.

    An acupuncturist should be a deeply compassionate person, who can empathize with you and allow you to speak freely, cry, rant, or do anything else you need, to express yourself.  Acupuncture can help boost your immune system, diminish nausea, increase your energy, lift your spirits, and support you through the whole treatment process.  And now I get to experience that first-hand!!

    I hope you won't give up on acupuncture. You can contact the NCCAOM

    in Washington, DC, which is the national organization that gives us our board certification when we pass the board examinations.  They have info on members across the country.  Another good website for Five Element Acupuncturists (which is the type I practice -- the most ancient and holistic), is www.Fiveelementacupuncture.com.

    Good luck, Nash!

    Donna

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2007

    Thanks, Donna!

  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited September 2007

    Donna, I have a question....I had bc 9 years ago and had 6 lymph nodes removed.  I have had acupuncture since then and have had needles in the affected arm without any problems.  A year ago, I was diagnosed with a new primary and had 11 more lymph nodes removed (17 in all in the same arm).  I also have serious numbness in my forearm since the lymph node surgery and of course residual numbness in my upper arm too (some from my 1st surgery and I'm sure my 2nd surgery added to that).  I am embarrassed to say that I have avoided my acupuncturist since that surgery because the thought of needles in that arm gives me the 'heebie jeebies'.  Recently, I've got the urge to go and am wondering if I should allow needles in that arm AND also wondering if acupuncture MIGHT actually help the numbness/nerve problems???  Any input is appreciated!!!  TIA

Categories