"Just to Try Acupuncture"

[resjes]

Going on Anthem of the Seas cruise. The name of the spa treatment is in the topic title. It is $169 (I have a cruise credit so that is the only reason I'm even considering it). I have never done acupuncture. Doing it on a cruise with an unknown therapist? Eh, not sure. But I wanted to know if anyone here had any positive/negative experiences with acupuncture ON the cruise. Many people have recommended it to me so I thought this would be a good way to "try" it for a decent cost LOL. Acupuncture in my area is not cheap. Thanks!

[4bythebeach]

My husband did it for the first time on a cruise and had a great experience. The person who did it explained exactly what she would be doing and why it works and that she did eastern style. He had some immediate relief (not total relief) and found a Dr here after we got back who also does eastern and had 4 or 5 more appointments and acheived total relief of pain he had for about 5 years that he just chalked up to not taking care of his body when he was a kid.

[crewsweeper]

Just my opinion and scientific evidence....Use your credit on something else.

Acupuncture/acupressure doesn't do anything, cure anything or prevent anything.  If you want a spa treatment, look at a massage, there is usefulness in that.

[LucasLounger1]

I did acupuncture with "Dr. Ryan" on a Yangtze River cruise.  I was suffering a lot of upper back and neck pain from hauling my backpack. It did me wonders -- and I got something like a high from it.  Apparently some people do.  I was stumbling like a drunk when I was finished.  This was back in 2012 and I'm still breathing, so no infections or anything. If it was OK there, surely it would be OK on RCI (?).

[Joseph2017China]

11 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Just my opinion and scientific evidence....Use your credit on something else.

Acupuncture/acupressure doesn't do anything, cure anything or prevent anything.  If you want a spa treatment, look at a massage, there is usefulness in that.

Is it an opinion only?  It is a form of medical treatment that goes back before written word, but modern acupuncture started in 1370 or later, with the written rules.  When you take pain medication, it does not cure, but relieve pain.  Acupuncture is the same, it relieves pain.  I'm not sure how massage can be any "better" than Acupuncture.  They both work to relieve the same outcomes. 

[1025cruise]

While I'm sure the therapists on board are licensed, professional, etc, this is a treatment I would only have done at home.

[nalatrixie74]

i had acupuncture for migraines years ago and i went from having them at least once a week to once every 6 months, if that. however, it did take quite a few sessions. i would go for a different treatment instead. a luxurious facial, or massage. have fun! 

[fredflint]

I would skip it on a ship.

 

However Acupuncture is very hard  to do a blind study on.

having said that I had a large dog a Komondor he was older and had some joint pain from just getting old.

My vet also did Acupuncture and we gave it a try, now the dog knew nothing of what was going on of course but after a few needles went in you could see him relax and pretty much just fell asleep.  The treatments seemed to work for a month or so and we would go back to be a pincushion for an hour or so.  The dog did not know what was happening of course but it was easy to tell he had much less pain and moved much more easily that before going into the office.

 

Of course like most everything YMMV.

[rt1092]

I had it done on the Oasis for appetite suppression. Plus they soaked me for a $95 dollar bottle of pills.

Total fail waited 2 months for it to help. Then went on a low carb diet that has been successful. 

If I were you I would save your money and go to a land based person with reviews. Acupuncture does work but it has to be done by someone that knows what they are doing. 

[xpcdoojk]

As a frequent blood donor, acupuncture is a reason to be deferred from giving blood in the USA.

 

JC<—— is not going to do acupunture.  😉

[steevo L]

I have a Tbi from a work incident. get migraines 4-5 times a week that last a long time.  I tried everything kind of medications ect from all types of Drs., neurologits ect.......

 

A few cruises ago, i sat at a seminar in 1 of the bar areas during the late morning where they had their on board acupuncturist there talking about it.....  decided for the price i would do the 4 sessions after talking to him. He had a real degree from a real place......

 

Best damn thing I ever did. during and after the 4 sessions i didnt have a migraine the rest of the cruise.  it lasts about 3-4 months for me and then i go locally for a few sessions... love it, iit is the only thing that has worked for me

[time4u2go]

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

While I'm sure the therapists on board are licensed, professional, etc, this is a treatment I would only have done at home.

I feel the same way. I would not have any voluntary medical procedure done on a cruise ship.

[toras]

Do you have an issue that you want to treat with acupuncture? it's not something like a massage that you enjoy.

 

For example, years ago I had a sciatica attack and got pins and needles running down my leg. Within 5 minutes of an acupuncture treatment it went away, although the back pain took a long time to treat. But left with a numbness on my foot that was not treatable; luckily it gradually decreased over the years.

 

Then had another smaller flare up just when I went on Celebrity Summit. Had an acupuncture treatment there which included massage. I would say it helped a tiny little bit but didn't go back.

[spookwife]

Acupuncture and acupressure is something that needs several sessions over a time period to be effective.  It is definitely a valid practice that works, but I’d rather get it done at home from someone I can vette ahead of time

[crewsweeper]

3 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

Is it an opinion only?  It is a form of medical treatment that goes back before written word, but modern acupuncture started in 1370 or later, with the written rules.  When you take pain medication, it does not cure, but relieve pain.  Acupuncture is the same, it relieves pain.  I'm not sure how massage can be any "better" than Acupuncture.  They both work to relieve the same outcomes. 

Acupuncture does NOT to back before the written word.  It's medians are based on bloodletting which was used in both Europe and Asia before modern medicine. Very cruel procedure that was outlawed in China, probably be fore the 1300s.  In the 1930s a Chinese man "invented" the use of needles along these lines.  It was obscure until the late 50s/early 60s when Mao, looking for original Chinese ideas, encouraged it's use.  There's no biological connections between the acupuncture points and the human body.  That fact has been established.  There IS a placebo effect that may permit the brain to believe minor pain has been reduced.  But that's a fleeting effect.  

 

But to the OP's inquiry, spending $163 to "try" something with zero efficacy medically, for no particular ailment, just because you have the money, is foolish waste of OBC, Again IMO.

[Jax129]

I get acupuncture every month & it is amazing!! One session can help if you are really blocked but I wouldn't bother with it on a cruise Do it at home before you go

 

It is so much more than a placebo, I have felt heat & energy move when needles are put in.

 

Edited March 8, 2019 by Jax129

[LMaxwell]

I wouldn't do any of these mumbo jumbo pseudo science spa treatments.  Best case scenario, does nothing and a waste of money.  What is you develop a reaction or problem somehow?  Nah.  Pass. 

[rt1092]

1 hour ago, crewsweeper said:

Acupuncture does NOT to back before the written word.  It's medians are based on bloodletting which was used in both Europe and Asia before modern medicine. Very cruel procedure that was outlawed in China, probably be fore the 1300s.  In the 1930s a Chinese man "invented" the use of needles along these lines.  It was obscure until the late 50s/early 60s when Mao, looking for original Chinese ideas, encouraged it's use.  There's no biological connections between the acupuncture points and the human body.  That fact has been established.  There IS a placebo effect that may permit the brain to believe minor pain has been reduced.  But that's a fleeting effect.  

 

But to the OP's inquiry, spending $163 to "try" something with zero efficacy medically, for no particular ailment, just because you have the money, is foolish waste of OBC, Again IMO.

It all depends on who does the treatment. I worked on the water and most of us guys were noted for drinking and smoking. There was a Dr in Staten Island that had a 4 month waiting period to get an appointment. The guys would go for a treatment leave there and go to a bar (smoking was allowed in bars in NY that was pre nanny state). And not have an urge to light up. I made an appointment for my wife she smoked 3 packs a day. And really was just humoring me she didn't expect to quit she had just bought 3 cartons. Well one treatment and she never had the urge to lite up again, to this day. No pain no withdrawal symptoms. I quit cold turkey in 1989 and I suffered for a month. So don't tell me it's all a waste of money.

[Joseph2017China]

Well, since medical plans cover it, and Licensed Dr performs the treatment plan, I would say that it is not some mumbo jumbo, voodoo type of idea.  Having first hand knowledge of how it helps, and knowing that it can replace pain medication that is addictive, and seeing and hearing about success stories make me believe that this is not voodoo science.  But many people think it is, including doctors.  I don't think you should do it on a cruise ship, but I do believe you should try it, if you have certain ailments that require pain management.  Since the treatments in my community at a teaching hospital is only $35 per session, and we live in a progressive area.

[matj2000]

I heard next year RC is going to start offering "angioplasty" and other procedures onboard....

[fredflint]

They should offer plastic surgery cruises they could make a ton of money.

[KAYTWO]

I must see a physiotherapist at least every four weeks and after my normal treatment she also then does acupuncture on me and insists that I have a remedial massage between visits to her (oh the joys of it all) I can honestly say it all helps, but would certainly not trust my therapy to someone who’s qualifications I can’t verify.  

[beaveh]

I know this is an old thread but as there is not much cruising going on at the moment. I'm finding it an interesting read, particularly as I'm an acupuncturist. Lol. I've never worked on board but had an interesting chat with the onboard acupuncturist on my last cruise. I wanted to find out how he worked and treated as I suspected it would be very different to the way I work in my home based clinic.

So I hope I can answer some of your questions.

Yes acupuncture is an effective treatment for many conditions. The world health organisation has a long list of conditions that respond well to acupuncture, including conditions that have no effective treatment in western medicine.

Typically back pain, frozen shoulders, knee problems, poor sleep, anxiety, migraines, but there is a huge list.

No, it is not an effective treatment for weight loss and has patchy results for stopping smoking, other modalities work better for that. 

Chinese trained acupuncturists will often have a 5year medical degree qualification with specialisums in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and tuina. I have a 3 year degree equivalent acupuncture qualification. Most onboard acus are recruited by Steiner, but they need to have relevant acu qualifications.

Chinese acupuncture is not the same as physio dry needling, that can work well, but will only help muscular related conditions.

Here in the uk an acupuncture treatment is usually £50 ( 68US$) per treatment. I would normally book a client in for one or two treatments a week, Chinese hospitals treat daily and on a cruise they will try to treat you quite frequently. I spoke to the onboard acupuncturist about this and he said he was encouraged to do daily treatments. It means more treatments can be fitted in on each cruise - makes it expensive but you will get a good course of treatment.

Acupuncturists give talks  on board one client came to see me as she had been to a talk on a cruise, but couldn't afford the prices, so came to see me when she got home lol.

 

I hope that answers some of your questions about acupuncture onboard.

 

I also have a specalisum in cosmetic acupuncture, ( for lines,  wrinkles and sagging skin) this is considered more of a cosmetic treatment and has been practiced in China, alongside the more traditional form of acupuncture which is several thousand years old. Some Steiner acupuncturists may have that specalisum as well, so it may be offered as an option onboard.

[Biker19]

[jalves]

I've always been amused that no matter what your "illness" is they will tell you that there is an acupuncture treatment that will cure it.  

 

Sorry, not believing it.