Acupuncture

[PositiveAgain]

Hi -

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I just went for my first session this week and will be going back at least 2 more times if not more. I am going for allergies and I have to say that after 1 treatment my symptoms are approximately 30% better. I can't wait to go next week!

Acupuncture can also be used for anxiety and the acupuncturist told me that she can help me with my anxiety around flying. I think I'll give it a try before my flight in May!

[noflyingfan]

I am curious -- what was it like? What exactly did they do? I've only seen acupuncture done on TV (fiction TV, not like Discovery Channel), so I'm curious to know how it all works. Did it hurt? What made you choose acupuncture?

Can you tell I am really fascinated by this? :)

[PositiveAgain]

What was it like?

Well, because it was my first session with her she took a VERY extensive medical history. More than any physician has ever done! A good acupuncturist wants to understand every little thing about your physical and emotional health.

The actual treatment doesn't really take very long. She told me that technically she could just insert the needles and take them out right away and then she'd be done. But she likes to let her patients lie there and relax for awhile with the needles in. Her philosophy is that most people don't take time to relax so having them be still for awhile during the treatment provides some relaxation time. The patient usually thinks it's because the needles need to stay in for awhile!

I was really open to acupuncture and wasn't nervous at all prior. I didn't think the needles would hurt at all. Guess what? Some of the needles hurt upon insertion and some didn't. Weird huh? She said that Oriental medicine believes that there is a energy blockage in that area if the needle hurts going in. If there was any discomfort at all it goes away immediately. I had needles inserted in my face (looked like I had whiskers), on each of my feet and one on my knee and I think it was just one near my wrist... it might have been one on my other wrist, but I can't remember.

[noflyingfan]

I think it would be fun (if that's the right word) to try acupuncture sometime. What for, I don't know; I don't have allergies or anything like that that I would think to go for. Needles are the one thing a lot of people I know are afraid of that I have no big problem with.

[PositiveAgain]

Well if you have any problems around anxiety it's one of the things it's supposed to help with.

Here's a partial list of conditions that may be helped by Acupuncture, take your pick!

Back pain and neck pain
High blood pressure
Migraines
Menstrual problems
Allergies and asthma
Digestive problems
Skin problems
Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Panic attacks
Chronic fatigue

[PositiveAgain]

I didn't mention in my other post about what it feels like.... the needles don't go into your skin very far.

[noflyingfan]

Well if you have any problems around anxiety it's one of the things it's supposed to help with.

Here's a partial list of conditions that may be helped by Acupuncture, take your pick!

Back pain and neck pain
High blood pressure
Migraines
Menstrual problems
Allergies and asthma
Digestive problems
Skin problems
Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Panic attacks
Chronic fatigue

I could probably find something on that menu. :thumbsup:

[PositiveAgain]

I just noticed that you're getting married soon?! And you're going to Hawaii on your honeymoon?! Cool. I just got married last September. I didn't go to Hawaii on my Honeymoon, but I was in Maui 1 year ago. I went to Maui the last week of March, first of April of '06.

I know this isn't about acupuncture, but what island are you going to?

[noflyingfan]

We're going to Maui. I can't wait; I've never been to Hawaii, but everyone I know who has been there has all kinds of wonderful stories to tell.

[WillFlyToDisney]

I had acupuncture when I was pregnant with Abbey to try to give me some relief from the hyperemesis (constant nausea and vomiting). I was sick as a dog the whole time I was pregnant but after my acupuncture treatment I was able to eat a meal and hold it down for an hour or so (which was QUITE an improvement) before getting sick.

The needles didn't really hurt going in - they are VERY thin - and felt more like mosquito bites then being stuck with a needle. When the acupuncturist would manipulate the needles at certain points it felt like they would hit a nerve and sometimes that was quite uncomfortable.

Since the treatments were considered "alternative therapy" my health insurance company wouldn't pay so I chose not to go back and pay out of pocket for continued treatments.

Luckily with this pregnancy my hyperemesis is kept pretty much at bay with Zofran the wonder drug! :thumbsup: