Accupuncture for a Ganglion

[j.mg23]

Hi Guys

I had my first accupuncture consultation the other day as I have a ganglion on my hand which is quite sore when doing yoga and reflexology.

Although it was a little sore it was bearable and the lady gave me some herbs as she felt they may help.

I was wondering if anyone had treated a ganglion before and what was the result.

I just dont want to get it surgically removed as I have heard it can grow back.

thanks

Suzanne

 

[ilovejustinbieber(:]

Hi Suzanne
As you sense with surgery - this is not going to address the reasons why the ganglion is developing in the first place.
Depending on the size of the ganglion and how long you've had it, surgery may be worth considering, but it is also really important to follow a therapy that is going to treat the underlying cause. Acupuncture can do this. It can also treat the ganglion if you decide not to have surgery, though it can take some time. Stick with it!

Is your acupuncturist also a herbalist, or were you prescribed a "patent" herbal formula?


Aragorn

 

[Fallon123]

Hi Suzanne,

I agree with Aragorn. Accupuncture can very well eventually get rid of th eganglion. It will definitly help with why you got it in the first place.

Artemis

 

[gjqaseyc]

Hi Guys
Yes my accupuncturist is a herbalist and she did give me some herbs -

I have had the ganglion since I was 10 yrs old - I am now 28 - would this be because I was a bundle of nerves when I was this age?

Suzanne

 

[The Bricklayer]

Hi Suzanne
It's not possible to say what caused a ganglion at age 10 through a forum! but it is young to be developing this kind of cyst response.
First things that come to mind are whether you had any serious illnesses as a child and how were they treated? (i.e. long courses of antibiotics, etc?) Where you immunized as a child?
These could be possible causes, and your acupuncturist may be able to help you track it down.
Talk to her about the reason you were a bundle of nerves at that age - there may well be causes in that emotional struggle that you went through, and those issues may be the reason your body is continuing to express itself in this way.
I hope you find acupuncture brings good changes for you.

Best wishes

Aragorn

(Just out of interest, do you know what style of acupuncture your practitioner uses?)

 

[Serial Mom]

Hi Suzanne,
Seeing your message I was just wondering if your acupuncturist is registered with the British Acupuncture Council (to check, go to their website on www.acupuncture.org.uk where they list member practitioners). Acupuncturists who are not members may still be really good, but there is no simple way to tell and it is always good to make sure you are in reliable hands.
I really hope your ganglion gets better, as it certainly should do using acupuncture and herbs.
Bonny

 

[Jen Bee]

Dear Bonny,

As you say "Acupuncturists who are not members may still be really good" so why the doubts about Suzanne's accupuncturist?

Artemis

 

[gillianprowe]

Not doubting really, on account of not being in a position to do so, having not met her acupuncturist, more just raising awareness. I often come across people who don't realise that some acupuncturists have a 3600 hour training, (which is the BAcC requirement for new members) and others have only done a weekend course and that currently, both are entitled to call themselves acupuncturists.
I hate to hear of people's poor experiences of acupuncture only to discover that they did not realise how little training their practitioner actually had. On that basis, I always refer people to the BAcC when they ask me how to find a practitioner, because that way I know that the standard of training will be good, whereas otherwise, I have no way of knowing.
I want acupuncture to be as positive as possible for all the people who come into contact with it.
Bonny

 

[Kylur Sean Nazrin]

Dear Artemis
The same concern registered with me when I read the post.

The problem being that some unregulated acupuncturists will also prescribe herbs (patent or otherwise), whilst regulated Chinese herbalists will be registered with the RCHM (Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine) and, if practising acupuncture, with the BAcC (British Acupuncture Council) also.

Where an acupuncturist who isn't registered with the BAcC also prescribes herbs, alarm bells might start ringing, and further checks ought to be made into the practitioners training and regulation, to ensure the safety of the patient. It's a simple and quick check, and I'd have thought it would be good advise to anyone thinking of taking Chinese herbs or having acupuncture treatment.

There are of course legitimate exceptions, for example, when a professionally trained acupuncturist chooses not to join the BAcC for whatever reason, and has also completed a recognised patent herb course. Again, it's a simple check.

It's just not worth messing about with these medical systems - it's best to check the regulation and qualification of a practitioner and avoid any that cannot demonstrate that they adhere to a strict code of professional practice and conduct, IMHO.

Cheers
Aragorn

 

[Fu2]

So the question is not so much with which body the acupuncturist is registered with, but what the QUALIFICATIONS are.

Artemis

 

[K-Dawg]

Yes, of course.
It is simple and safe for the public to be certain of the qualifications of a member of the BAcC. Our standards of practice, conduct and ethics are implicit in the use of the designation.
At the moment, the BAcC is the only body that meets the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) educational standards, so therefore the BAcC has become synonymous with professional acupuncture in the UK.
One of the main questions for acupuncturists who are not members of the BAcC is "Why not?"!

(I am, by the way, making the distinction here between "acupuncturists" and "dry needlers" - using dry needling isn't acupuncture, any more than massage is osteopathy).

Aragorn

 

[webjunkiee]

I don't know anything about the causes of ganglions - would one of you knowledgeable people please fill in some background?
Sharon

 

[Crystal Gayle]

Hello Spinal Music (beautiful name!)

In western terms, a ganglion usually forms on the wrist when the synovial fluid is prevented from returning to the synovial sheath due to a strain or irregular growth on the tendon. A sack of fluid forms that gets larger and larger as it fills with the fluid.
The cause therefore, may be a trauma such as an strain or other injury, or a more systemic reason leading to irregular growth in the muscle tissue.

In Chinese Medicine terms, it is an accumulation of Phlegm on the relevant acupuncture channel, due to Qi stagnation resulting from an injury, or chronic Spleen Qi deficiency leading to Phlegm formation. In the first case, a degree of Spleen Qi deficiency must be present for the injury to result in Phlegm formation.
In Chinese medical terms, Phlegm refers loosely to mucus but also the stuff that makes up deformations and lumps. Spleen Qi essentially refers to the energetic quality of the digestive system. A weakness here can be hereditary and/or due to aspects of the patient's diet.
In treatment, I would use acupuncture points that clear away Phlegm, strengthen the digestive system (as necessary) and examine the patient's diet with them to assess what is contributing to the condition.
HTH!

Aragorn

 

[J man]

Just to prevent any missunderstandings: Spleen Qi can be deficient in TCM terms without anything being wrong whatsoever with your digestive system in Western terms.

Artemis

 

[Gurt]

Thank you kindly for the information (and the compliment!),
Sharon