Expert: R. Scott Malone L.Ac. - 3/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have  had about 6 acupuncture sessions. The last one I had more trouble with bruising and tenderness. Spots on my inner knees were tender and swollen about 3 days. Also, a couple of hours after the session I noticed sensations I have never had before.  When I bend over the skin on the outside of my left calf feels like it is tearing and pulling. Like scar tissue that can't move with the body. The skin feels like it is caught on something.  There is no needle left there-I checked! The skin appears normal there but there is some slight numbness when i touch the spot. I don't see a bruise or swelling there.  It doesn't hurt except when I move in a way that pulls the skin and it is very uncomfortable and very wierd.  Does this sound like something caused by the acupuncture?  Any suggestions as to the source of this symptom?

ANSWER: Before I am able to answer this question, I would like to know what specifically you were being treated for, and what you do for work and exercise.

R. Scott Malone L.Ac.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was having accupuncture in hopes of regulating my menstrual cycle (heavy and prolonged, cramps, etc.) and for some tennis elbow.  I walk and usually do stairmaster, but have not done stairmaster for about 2 months because of not getting to the gym with my work schedule.

Answer
Hey Marcy,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you, I overlooked your e-mail.

I have never had a bruise from acupuncture last for more than a couple of days. If you have issues with the Spleen, in particular spleen qi deficiency and your practitioner was using thick gauge needles, you could get bruises easily that would last a bit longer.

As for the skin and the numbness, again this is very strange to me.
I use very thin needles, how was the insertion? was it painless, or did it hurt a good bit? That could tell you either a)the needles are thick or b) the insertion might not have been so good.

Find out how long your practitioner has been in practice.

Typically your cramps are caused by the liver.

As for the symptoms, I would get a product called Salonpas, you can get them at Walgreens. They are medicated plasters that really work wonders for this kind of thing.

While my patients have never had any of those sorts of issues, I can't really say in this case that it sounds like it didn't come from the treatment.

If it dosen't resolve itself, I would go see a massage therapist to fix the muscular issues and think about another acupuncturist if you aren't getting results. Your cramps are easy to treat with acupuncture and herbal medicine, I've done it a thousand times, so don't give up.

R. Scott Malone L.Ac.