Ms. Michele R. Sumpter, C.AC

This question would be better answered by the Acupuncturist treating you. Some back pain issues can be helped or even resolved with the use of some alcohol, particularly wine. But in others healing is delayed or not as good immediate result from treatment. So it truly depends on the underlying cause. Please ask your practitioner about your particular issue to know what's best for you.

Acupuncture often leaves you feeling a sense of will being and balance. Additionally, scientifically, it stimulates and helps you release a "feel good" hormone. So it is often used to help folks looking for relief from the symptoms of depression. There are many varieties, consult an Acupuncturist about your particular situation of depression, they can tell you specifically, if and what they can do to help you. I see it often in my practice, and get good results.

I see many people in my acupuncture practice for many types of pain and have great results. Pain however is such a general term and without more specifics, I can't say with certainty if acupuncture would be right for you

Well, you're asking an Acupuncturist this question... I'm certainly going to recommend acupuncture. :). And I've gotten great results helping folks with this very complaint.

Most folks have some immediate relief, and depending on severity of symptoms, a lasting effect is expected. It's not really possible to identify for how long pain relief could last because each individual situation is different. I can say confidently however, that acupuncture is the number one form of health care in China, and folks seek full and lasting effect by using this ancient & seemingly mysterious form of healthcare. MicheleRSumpter.com

Well, everyone's situation (or cause &/or response) is different so it can take a good while to resolve. When people are treated in my clinic, I tell them you'll know after your first treatment if this is right for you or not. I then recommend a course (or series) of treatment. If you feel
you're not getting the results you had hoped, please communicate this to your practitioner so they may be of the best help to you. You may need a referral out to Ortho or further diagnostic testing to rule out a more serious cause for your sciatic pain, but if you're not communicating your experiences with your Acupuncturist they can't fully help.

Acupuncturists are often used in dental offices for anesthesia purposes and pain control, so yes, absolutely! However, for best results, you'll want to find an acupuncturist with this specific experience.

Michele R. Sumpter

Glad to hear you're trying acupuncture! Great decision! You may feel ready to consider changing or going off your prescription medications, but do not just stop, please go to your prescribing physicians and ask for their recommendation and do so only under their direction.
Best of luck!

Actually, the stomach has an entire channel/meridian with 45 points dedicated & named along it because it is very important to consider in the treatment of all digestive disorders. Some of my favorite stomach points for acupuncture are found on the feet!

Michele R. Sumpter

I've been very successful identifying causes and irritants for a wide range of headache complaints ranging from cluster headaches to migraines. Acupuncture is a very effective treatment I've used in many of my cases where headaches were the complaint. Some migraine sufferers even report no further suffering! It's not a quick fix, but is very affordable and with lasting results!

Thank you for your question! In answer to your question, the World Health Organization reports over 2,000 acupoints in use over the years stemming from ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine traditions. Today, however, we use around 350 different acupoints, each of which have a distinct use with an expected outcome. Choice is made by a practitioner based on differentiation & diagnosis, location, access, and patient comfort.

Michele R. Sumpter, MSAc