When people hear that I have
acupuncture treatments weekly, they often ask, “Does that actually
work?” I'm so tempted to say “No. I just like wasting 2 hours
of my time and pissing away my husband's hard earned money for
fun”...but I fight the urge and tell them how it really is.
Acupuncture has made a huge difference in my life and I'm so grateful
that it was recommended to me.
If you haven't been to acupuncture, let
me give you the skinny on the basics. Acupuncture was started like a
million years ago in China and is still practiced today. It's an all
natural way to control pain and keep you in good health. The basic
treatment is done with very small needles. Sometimes they can
enhance this with
electro stim therapy (similar to the way physical
therapists use it). Cupping,
bloodletting, and herbs can also
be incorporated into your treatments. I'm sure there is way more
involved, but these are the things that I've experienced.
What Happens First?
My acupuncturist escorts me to a
private office and we have our “chat”. I sit down and I'm asked
how I've been feeling since my last visit. After I tell them all my
ailments, they feel my pulse on both wrists (to doubly make sure
I'm alive) and then I stick out my tongue. I don't know exactly what
all this does, but it's part of the Chinese magic that gets recorded
in my chart. Next, I'm off to the treatment room.
The Treatment Room
I first start out by stripping down to
my underwear (settle down!). This makes it easier for your
acupuncturist to have access to all the places that may need
treatment. When I had my cast on my ankle and it was a pain in the
ass to get my pants on and off, I just left on my shorts (it was
summer at the time). As long as your knees are available and you
have a waistband with a little give that allows for your lower back
to be treated, you should be fine. Occasionally, I'll need a needle
or two in my hips and they'll need to lower my underwear to about my
butt crack...you're welcome for the visual ;)
I'm given a paper sheet to cover myself
and after I get situated I ring the little bell to let them know I'm
ready. The treatment starts out face down with the paper sheet
covering my buttocks and upper thighs. I usually get about 20
needles on both sides (so ~40 total). I don't know if that is the
usual for everyone or if it's just me (I think it's just me). They unhook my bra to get
full access to my back, and after all the needles are placed, and the
warming lamps are put over me, they leave me to lay there anywhere
from 15-25 minutes, depending on how busy they are and how long I
have to “cook”.
 |
| My own personal cupping set |
If I have cupping done, they'll do that
before the needle acupuncture. After cupping, they apply this
ointment that has a cooling effect on the skin. I don't mind the
smell, but my hubby hates it. The funniest part is that it's called "Po Sum On"...like a redneck version of "pour some on!"
After my back is done, they come in and
remove all the needles, then leave the room so I can flip over and
lay face up. This is when they'll do spots on my hands, feet, legs,
face, and sometimes (rarely) my stomach. I lay there again and
cook...rinse, repeat.
But Needles Are Too Scary!
Most people are kinda freaked out by
the whole needle thing. Please understand that these needles are NOT
the same as the needles you get at the doctors...those are
injections...they are bigger because they are administering medicine
or drawing blood. Acupuncture needles are smaller than silk pins you
use in sewing.
That's the scary needle in the middle...next to a .7 lead pencil. The part of the needle you get "poked" with is the I-can-barely-see-it part on top. Only the tiniest bit goes in your skin...they are put in very superficially.
Most of the time the needles don't
hurt. Sometimes they burn after they're put in, but then calm down
after several seconds. The ones in my sinuses usually hurt the whole
time they're in...a hurt like you are poking at a black and blue.
And the ones on your ear hurt the whole time too. Only one time did
a needle hurt so badly that I cried. My acupuncturist removed it
immediately. It was in my right shoulder and it felt like someone
stabbed me. Even after he took the needle out, I could still feel
pain. Again, that happened ONCE. If I get, on average, 40 needles
per week, that's over 2000 needles per year. And I've been going for
about 4 years. Even if you count the first year that I went twice a
month...that's still over 7000 needles.
All their needles are individually
packaged and before each needle is placed, they apply a swab of alcohol
to the area. They don't wear rubber gloves...I asked about this a
few weeks ago and was told that contact with blood is rare and even
when
bloodletting is done, the amount of blood is so little
that it's inconsequential. *side note out of left field--did you
know that not all urologists use gloves? :0 True story*
How Long Does The Treatment Take To
Work And How Long Will It Last?
A treatment usually lasts me a week or
two, depending on what's hurting, the weather, my activity level,
etc. Initially, it took 4 treatments for me to start feeling the
positive, healing effects. Everyone's body is different, so it can take people shorter
or longer for it to work and the lasting effects will also vary. Usually, I feel better the next day, but sometimes the acupuncture
“kicks in” pretty immediately. It's all very mysterious and
magical to me.
Who Performs This Magic?
I realize I'm using the term “they”
a lot...that's because I get treated by two different people.
Depending on the schedule, I'll see either just one of them for both
back and front, -or- one for my back and the other for my front. It
doesn't matter much to me...both are licensed acupuncturists and
are great at what they do.
If anyone is interested in finding an
acupuncturist, I would recommend you ask around and see if you can
get a recommendation from someone you trust. You can even ask some
of your western medicine doctors, as more and more doctors
(especially pain management doctors) are getting educated about the
healing effects of Chinese medicine. And remember: do not ask Aunt
Betty to poke you with sewing pins...it's not the same thing.
Costs And More Praise Of Acupuncture
That's the basic on how it's done.
I've been having acupuncture treatments for a few years now, and it
has really helped with my chronic pain and has also kept me in better
health. I don't get sick as often and when I do, it doesn't seem to
last as long. I've taken various herb concoctions for pain, illness,
anxiety...some have helped and some haven't. All the herbs are out of
pocket and cost anywhere from $15 -$30, and are about a week's
supply. Each acupuncture session is $85 and my insurance covers part
of it. I used to have to pay out of pocket for everything...when I
did, they only charged me $60 per visit.
I love acupuncture and recommend it to
everyone who will listen.
Have you ever had acupuncture? If so, how
did it work for you? If you have yet to try it, what is the reason? Anything that I didn't cover or other related questions for me? Ask away!
so my foot can be elevated high enough.
I sat at the dinner table for maybe 30 minutes, and my foot had
already started to throb even though it was elevated in the
wheelchair. I find that unless it's elevated above my heart, it
throbs. I remember with the last ankle (#1), it was the same.
(as instructed by the orthopedist) 
