We switched health plans last open season and moved to a plan that allows us to go to any doctor we want instead of only getting an in-network referral. I only mention this because Jaime mentioned to me that now we can get acupuncture and it will be covered by the plan. Before I knew it, she had me signed up for an appointment.
I'm not sure I would have taken the initiative on this, but I thought I'd just go with the flow and see how it pans out. I tend to let my stress gather in my back and get muscle spasms once in a while. After reading up on the ancient Chinese traditional practice, I found it a compelling idea that I was willing to try.
One problem is, that while I intellectually don't have a problem with needles, somewhere my subconscious mind just doesn't share the love. I have (I am a bit embarrassed to admit) passed out, or nearly passed out a few times where needles have been involved. I'm not talking about the occasional flu or Novocaine shot, I'm talking about blood donation/collection or this one time I had some electrical needle thrust into my body at different points (electromyography) and the PT decided somewhere midway that I wasn't exactly well and stopped.
Last week was my first appointment and walked into the office. It was in a house in a residential area, around the back entrance to what would be the basement patio. After filling out the requisite forms and intake meeting, I got my first treatment. My back has been bothering me since college and my days of trampolining around with Gymkana (<---see the video of some of the things we did --I'm getting off track here, and maybe I'll post something about this another time).
It was a good thing that Mr. Li treated my back first, because I was on my stomach and couldn't see the needles being stuck in. In fact, I wasn't sure at first how many he put in because it took me a while to figure out that he wasn't just touching my back to locate a spot, he had been inserting the needles without me realizing it. I think that out of 30-40some needles he put in my body, only 3 of them were uncomfortable enough for me to wince. And let me mention again that I couldn't see them. And another strange thing (or just new to me) is that he put in a few short needles that he put a patch over and kept in until my next visit!
And did it work? Well, let's just say that the side that had been giving me problems recently has not given me any problems at all. And I didn't feel or notice the needles that stayed in all week.
Today I went back for my second treatment. I discussed a few issues wanted to address before I go away on my trip this summer. He treated my back and then had me lie down facing up. He put needles on my arms, stomach, head and legs/ankles. These I did see. I felt like Pinhead from the movie Hellraiser. But it didn't hurt at all (OK, one did hurt, but the rest didn't). I didn't pass out and walked away feeling quite relaxed.
So, will it work? I dunno yet. But I'll stick with it for a while at least.
2 comments:
oooo, you're brave! I don't know if I could have needles stuck in me. I would have made a terrible drug addict...glad to hear it's working for you though :)
I've always wondered if that worked! My hubby has back problems too, I'll have to see if he'd be brave enough to try...but that's freaky that you had to leave some of the pins IN! eek! You'll have to keep us posted on how well it works for ya.
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