Chinese Medicine - bunch of arse?

[The Great Cornholio]

This lunchtime, I was drawn to a sign in one of these Chinese herb shop things. Cheap massage was the deal. As I have been suffering for a couple of weeks with very tense shoulders and neck, I thought I would give it a go.

£20 bought me a 40 minute massage with the "doctor" who had the build of a jockey. I have to say that it seemed to loosen up the affected areas a bit. He then told me about an inflammation which would take several sessions to get rid of. He then sent me packing with some tablets wrapped in wax balls after he gave me some old pony about it fixing my chi or Xi or somesuch.

Ever the sceptic, I saw it as a ploy to get more business. But I have dutifully taken my tablets, safe in the knowledge that any effects will not be placebo related because I don't expect them to work.

I always try and keep an open mind about most things and will give them a go once. I'm still unsure whether I gained any benefit or whether they were just fleecing me. More than likely the latter but I'm interested if anyone else has any experiences. They must see a lot of people as these shops are springing up everywhere. Is it just a cynical ploy to fleece sick people of their hard earned or is it the application of thousands of years of cultural medicine?

 

[Franks Wild Years]

I've had accupuncture for a few ailments and its always worked a treat. Also my ex's son suffered from terrible exma which was finally sorted after a trip to the chinese herbalist.
I guess there are quacks, but I've always had good experiences.

 

[aftershavedave]

i had acupuncture to stop smoking, which i thought at the time and still do, was a buncjh of crap. but i never smoked again, mso who knows?

 

[Trufflehound]

Kylie, J-Lo and Beyoncé - bunch of arses?

 

[Franks Wild Years]

Re: Re: Chinese Medicine - bunch of arse?

Kylie, J-Lo and Beyoncé - bunch of arses?

Wise words Arse Groper. Sorry, Grass Hopper.

 

[Vicar!]

Went once for backpain, very expensive, they found a load of problems I didn't even have, and tried to feece me big time. Utter rubbish. Back eventually sorted out by Chiropractor. (Highly recommended)

Vicar

 

[The Great Cornholio]

Went once for backpain, very expensive, they found a load of problems I didn't even have, and tried to feece me big time. Utter rubbish. Back eventually sorted out by Chiropractor. (Highly recommended)

Vicar

I have often been tempted but never been. Likewise a "proper" massage. I'm always scared I will end up with the "wrong" kind of massage, if you know what I mean.

I know that it is just tension from driving too much but I'm damned if I can shift it. Just taken my first half of a tablet which has jaguar bone, amongst other things, in it. See if that in the magic cure.

 

[Brixtaan]

My one session of acupuncture for sciatica did shit-all,so i agree with you Cornholio.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Theres a good chinese 'massage' place on Preston Street, so i've been told

 

[The Great Cornholio]

My one session of acupuncture for sciatica did shit-all,so i agree with you Cornholio.

For me, Acupuncture is like homeopathy - purely placebo. But massage should help, accupressure or not. It's the herbs they sell that intrigue me. Much as I think they are designed to fleece Joe Public, China does have a long medical history.

Did anyone see the expose of Homeopathy? They guy said that the amount of the active ingredient in the dose was like putting 1 drop in the Atlantic Ocean, it was that diluted.

 

[Yorkie]

Osteopaths are good for bad backs and sciatica.
I wouldn't put too much trust in herbs although I know red clover or phyto soya are good for helping with the symptons of menopause. I was sceptical but it did work.

 

[cheshunt seagull]

I had acupuncture,administered by my GP, for a bad backa few years back.
I was sceptical beforehand but the results were almost immediate and I was back at work the next day.

 

[Brixtaan]

Thanks Yorks but i just couldn't afford an elongated course of action with them (or chiropractors?) so i sweated it out in agony for the last 2 months.It's dying down now, i feel liberated! (but scared)

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

My physio often uses accupuncture as well as more traditional techniques and it seems to work for me. Especially effective sorting out tennis elbow.

I've also used accupressure massage on a regular basis to help manage an old shoulder injury and, done properly, it does work well.

Never tried the tablets etc though - don't mind people battering the body from the outside but not so trusting about letting people loose on my insides!

 

[Lush]

A friend of mine - big Geordie bloke, doesn't suffer fools gladly -finally got to the end of his tether with back pain and went and had shiatsu.

He said it worked like a miracle.

 

[Yorkie]

A friend of mine - big Geordie bloke, doesn't suffer fools gladly -finally got to the end of his tether with back pain and went and had shiatsu.
.

I thought that was a breed of dog.