Acupuncture or Relief!
4 Oct
David went to an acupuncturist for the first time Saturday. No one in our area could recommend a good acupuncturist, but several people recommended it for pain management. I just happened to walk by an acupuncture clinic last week. I went inside and got a little information.
A chiropractor (not our regular chiropractor) had mentioned that she prefers the traditional, Eastern medicine acupuncturists. This man was definitely that. English is not his first language. Chinese magazines covered one of the counters. There were dozens of jars of herbs all along one wall.
He told us he was 72, but we thought he was in his fifties. He showed us his driver’s license. He’s really 72. We thought that was a good sign. He must be pretty healthy to look that good at 72!
The treatment took a lot longer than we anticipated. They don’t just stick the needles in your back and take them out. The acupuncturist left them in for about forty minutes.
Oh, there was one thing I thought was very interesting. He had me watch as he put the first two needles in. It wasn’t just a needle he picked up and placed in David’s back. It was in a little plastic tube or sheath, and the part of the needle stuck out of the top of the tube. He put the tube on David’s skin, and then gently tapped the needle down. David said it didn’t hurt. There were a few uncomfortable moments but not what you’d call painful.
While David was lying on the table, the acupuncturist came out to the waiting room and told me, “I’ve never treated anyone this bad!” This man has been practicing acupuncture for 47 years. Yikes!
After the treatment, the acupuncturist had David walk around the office for about ten minutes. David said his lower back and neck felt pretty good.
Let me explain how huge this is. David loves being adjusted by our chiropractor. But he has never ever, after any treatment for his arthritis, whether medication or massage or whatever, said that any part of his spine felt pretty good.
The acupuncturist warned David that the effects would wear off, and they did. However, a few hours of relief was incredible. David’s going to go as often as he has the time and money. The acupuncturist thinks that over the course of several treatments, David’s chronic pain will decrease significantly.
He was also very pleased to hear that David is swimming. He told David the same things our chiropractor (and all the regular doctors) have been saying: eat lots of fruits and vegetables, nothing fried and limit your meat consumption.
If we could afford to buy the acupuncturist’s supplements we would. It is such a blessing for David to finally get some relief. I think we’d stand on our heads if he told us it would help!
Praise the Lord for David’s success with acupuncture!
Hi Ashley,
Your post about David’s back pain popped up on my daily Google alert and I’d just like to share some acupuncture information with you. First – congratulations on getting David some pain relief! Acupuncture is an amazing medicine and I’m glad your practitioner was helpful. You mentioned affording the herbs, which is why I am writing. There are many of us (about 100 independent clinics) in the USA (and beyond) who feel healthcare needs to be much more affordable and accessible. We are members of the Community Acupuncture Network and we all offer quality acupuncture at really low rates ($15-$40/visit)- no insurance required. I didn’t notice where you and David live, but if you check the website http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org, you’ll hopefully find a clinic near you. We have the same training and provide the same good service that you would expect. I hope this info helps, and best wishes to you both.
Steve
How exciting! If you don’t mind my asking, how much was the visit and where did you go?
That is great! Good things are happening!
Thank the LORD for some relief! I am so glad it was helpful. I am all about the alternative treatments and applaud you for trying so many different things. Hopefully this will be something David can continue.
I’ve always been interested in acupuncture. How exciting!
Oh my GOSH that is wonderful. I was about bawling with relief for you guys. Ever since I had a few days of really, realy seveve hip pain, I cannot IMAGINE living as bravely as David does. I would be curled in a ball being really mean and crabby. I hope that this DOES continue to improve his pain. God Bless you guys!!!
Kerri