Meridian, Idaho
So yesterday was my first full day after my first acupuncture session.
I was amazed at how well my shoulder felt until late last night. Pain was significantly reduced.
A side benefit was that the whooshing noise my tinnitus makes was reduced by about 25% for one night, and a bit less the second night.
The actual acupuncture went well. It was relaxing and I only felt a couple of the two dozen or so needless go in.
As Rachel put them in, she pops the top of the needle holder a bit. I think that makes them slide right in.
I laid on the table with the needles in place for twenty minutes. I was extremely relaxed and almost fell asleep because of the relaxing music playing and the warmth from a heat lamp.
Acupuncture is based on using needles to stimulate qi (or chi) through your body along pathways called meridians.
The belief is that illness or pain occurs when those pathways are blocked. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance.
Most who practice and receive acupuncture say it takes a series of visits to reap benefits. And I get that. My situation didn’t arise overnight, and I don’t expect it to heal overnight.
I have a few more scheduled, but I’m sitting on the fence trying to decide if I want to go back.
I just feel like finding the right Amma massage therapist might be better for me.
Amma provides both the qi stimulations with the muscle manipulations that my body seems to prefer.
I’ve never had to deal with chronic pain before. The closest I’ve come is last fall when I had some extensive dental work done and was pretty miserable for about three months. It was awful, it consumes you, puts you in a foul mood. Fortunately, I healed and the pain is gone.
I do think that I would seek far and wide for relief, if the pain were chronic.
Whatever means you take Kathy, I support you 100%.
I have a friend who is a doc. He trained in acupuncture. (doesn’t practice) He worked on my hands and wrists once and it was fascinating.
Thanks, Sharon. I’m lucky that it’s not that bad. But if something mighy help, I’m willing to give it a try. I found an exercise that works my back muscles, and it’s helping a lot. Even better? It’s an easy one! 🙂
I love the sitting on the fence photo… I feel like that about a lot of things.
How about a recliner on the fence? Wouldn’t that be grand? 😉
I felt the same way after seeing a chiropractor. I felt great but when she said how about coming back three times a week…. I was leery and weary.
I think the acupuncture is beneficial, but I’m thinking I’ll keep trying to find a massage therapist who can beat me into a pulp! 😉