Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 10/27/2007

Question
2 weeks ago i've visited the acupuncturist with the minor problem of my lower back.He did some ajustments and then put several needls in my back,one of them was very painful(probably next to L2-L4(I,m a medical doctor from Russia),he told me he did it purposly,it will help and then he connected to the electricity.Next day I was filling worse,the pain followed to my right kidney and my legs,it was like pinched nervous.Next week i visited him the second time,he did stronger ajustments and again needles but not too deep,also he put the needls in my right knee i injured it few days ago during the soccer match.After that i feel myself worse ane worse.My knee hurts and sometimes as a bonepain,but mostly my back and my body.Now i have almost all the time numbness in my left armthe pain in my back sometimes following to my legs,my right kidney,sometimes the sharp pain in my testicles,i can,t sit long time and most bothering thing the numbness in my 3-4-5 fingers of my both hands during i sleep,i wake up a lot of times in the night because of my numb fingers.My acupuncturist was surprised,he told me it,s the first case in his 12years practice.I asked him what does he think,what could he damage by the needle?He doesn't know.He told me it should not may happen.I asked him bring me please to the same condition what a came here first time but i see he is not able to do it.Please give me the advise what do i need to do now(i don't have any insuranse),what could he damage,which nervous or trunk,and might it recover by itself because i can't normally live and and work,i,m suffering now.Yesterday he put some pads on by back,heated by electricity but it did not help me. Thank You in advanse    Chingiz

Answer
Sir,

Based on the symptoms you are describing, I believe you require an examination by a neurologist immediately, whether or not you have insurance.

As I am not an acupuncturist, I cannot comment on the treatments you have described, but if the multitude of symptoms that you described were not present before your treatments, prudence and common sense would suggest that you discontinue them until you are evaluated by a neurologist.