Acupuncture

Anybody out there know much about acupuncture? Does it work? Any recommended people to call?
I'm asking for my brother who has a frayed sub-scapularis (in the shoulder). He has full range of motion, no sharp pain, but it gets inflamed if he works out at all.

He hasn't had surgery as every doctor has said they don't know if it would help.

So, he's looking into alternatives, and acupuncture seems like a safe, non-invasive possibility. He's bummed out right now and I want to enjoy a dive season with him!

Any advice would be awesome.
Thanks!
Andrew

Not sure how far you want to travel but a few of my triathlon buddies use this guy and I think I will soon as well. His name is Hideshi and office number is (530) 297-1736. He has worked w some world class athletes and also the uc davis track team. It's a start.

   I’m a true believer.  We have meridian running thru our body.  When meridian is interrupted – pain develops.  Thus when acupuncturist use the needle, they don’t always aim for the spot you feel pain.  Sometime, the blockage is completely somewhere else. 
   As the needle goes into the skin, you don’t really feel much.  When he turns the needle, that’s when you feel like a bruised spot with someone rubbing on it a couple of inch under the skin.  I’m under the understanding that the needle stimulates, & tells the body something is going wrong here, and to come and repair this spot.
   In your brother’s case, I’m not sure if it works on the tendon.  But it is worth a try.  I usually go to Dr. Gong, 3408 Balboa St., near 34th. Avenue, S. F.  94121 Tel: 415-387-2378.  I have been going to him for almost 30 years.  Some of the shi-beeeep-t he fixed for me, you would not believe me if I told you.  So give him a try.  I fact, I was just over there this week with a torn leg muscle. 
   There is another guy down in Chinatown that specialized in shoulder, & back.  Dr. Zhao at 126 Waverly Place, S. F., 94108, 415-788-1983.  He fixed my shoulder by fixing the real problem – my neck.  Don’t expect to be cured in one session.  You may need 4-6 session.  I’ve introduced about 10 friends to him.  6 Swear by him.  Some session seem so simple in comparison, and you may feel you are getting ripped off.  But trust him for at least 4 sessions.
   The good thing is at least you don’t have very far to go being in San Francisco.

Frayed Sub-Scapularis…

Don't know much about that and sounds awful, and docs don't think surg will help?  bone crushers… 

if it's tendon thing, then I have seen plenty of tendon type injuries do very well acupuncture.  In another past life, I was working toward being a Physical Therapist and in the field…  I've seen acupuncture work where nothing else did…

as for myself,  massive pain and severe headaches from low back  and neck stuff with physical bone on nerve and other stuff.  Bone crushers want to cut with Black and Decker power tools and fill ya with hardware.

 I kept with Acupuncture for two years and stopped doing stuff that was breaking my body along with other things …

Life is Much, Much, Much Better

My Guy

 Don Gates
Oakland, Grand Lake Area…

 Very Profession and knows his stuff

Non-believer here. My in-law had a stroke 8 yrs ago and have been getting acupuncture since. No improvement what so ever. Yet, she still wants to continue with it because one of her friends got better after 1yr of acupuncture treatment. I think time will heal anything if the injury can be healed. Acupuncture is witch craft in my opinion. I mean, come on, how could poking needles in your skin cure diseases like common cold, liver disease, heart disease, impedance, cancer, etc... Glad my parents didn't believe in that stuff like many Asians do.
Hope your brother get well soon. It will take time.

ernest

Not sure if it works but have been considering it myself.  I was told similar things about the needles being able to reset nerves and pain receptors.

Constant pain in my case can be debilitating.   I also have inflammatory problems.  I can't take anti inflammatory meds any more because of what it has done to my stomach.   I had shoulder surgery in Jan and now I have severe pain at times. Occasionally I can't move my shoulder an inch.  I have more range of motion,  and some prior pain is gone, but would not have done the surgery if I knew the side effects could be this bad.   

As for diving.  Last year abalone diving was the only time my shoulder felt good. The hardest part was getting into the wetsuit without stressing my neck or shoulder out.  I guess pressure from the suit and the cold Mendocino water actually helped, so hopefully your friend has the same experience. 

My wife also cooks a lot more vegetables that have natural anti inflammatory properties in them and that helps a bit.

Cool, thanks for the replies!

I had a shoulder injury from repetitive stress in college (playing the double bass)... couldn't close my fist tightly on the left hand, was having left shoulder issues...

After a month or more of physical therapy, chiropractic, anti-inflamitory with no results, I went to try accupuncture in Alameda - stuck a bunch of needles in me, and hooked them up to an electrode/generator that sent a current into the needles. Noticed the most difference after that experience right away - I'm now a fan. Was considering a different career and a couple sessions brought me out of it, and the rest is history

Good luck!

It works from my experience.  If your brother has considered all other options, there is not much to lose, except for his time and whatever it costs for couple treatments.  After that, if he feels like its not for him, he can cut his losses.  Hopefully he gives it a try and it works out for him.  Good luck!