Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 7/16/2007

Question
My husband has a bad back.  About 3 months ago he tried a local
acupuncturist who is suppose to be the best in the area.  At his the visit the
doctor hit a nerve, it hurt so bad that my husband told him to pull the needle
out.  After repeating a couple of times to the doctor to pull it out, he finally
did pull it out and stopped the procedure.  My husband stopped seeing this
Acupuncturist and has more lasting pain than before.  It used to be a dull
pain, now it is a sharp pain.  

Will this pain go away by itself, he will NOT see another acupuncturist.  What
can he do.

Answer
Hi Sonja,
I thought using my own treatment experience would help maybe.  I suffered from back pain and sciatica for 10 years before I tried acupuncture.  The first 6-8 treatments I nearly jumped off the table because it was sooo painful to me.  Sometimes the pain did not subside for days afterward.  My energy was severely blocked and it took a lot of time and some major discomfort to break-it up and get it moving.  I was lucky that my practitioner explained this to me ahead of time. Or I wouldn't have come back. I have been nearly pain-free for 8 years.
Without knowing more about your husbands experience and his treatment, I can not give you advise. I would say maybe herbal medicine is a better route for your husband if he is needle shy now. If he did injure a nerve it will take some time to heal.
Good luck
Heather Vandeburg L.Ac.M.S.O.M