Acupuncture – Healing for physical pain to depression to infertility. Worth a try?

Acupuncture has maybe become my latest guilty pleasure. Can you imagine? The idea that someone inserting small sterile needles all over your body is something you look forward to?  Well, let me tell you, I do!

Due to unplanned circumstances, I was unable to attend my weekly appointment for two weeks in a row.  By the third week, I was a mess.

Let me go back in time.  Two years ago I started seeing my acupuncturist for chronic lower back pain.  Articles I had read stated that acupuncture could help.  I had a solid recommendation from a coworker and my insurance covered the cost so I thought I would try it.

I met Dr. S at a yoga studio and was kindly welcomed into a small room down the hall.  I laid face up on the massage table and she asked me questions about what my issues were.  Even though my main concerns were lower back pain, she started with needles on my legs and wrists.  Of course I was a little nervous about anyone sticking needles into me so she started the first session with just a few pressure points.  The needles are so thin that you barely feel anything and wonder to yourself how this can possibly work.

After about 20 minutes, I turned over for treatment on my back.  The first session went well and I decided I would come back. I felt a little better after the first visit, but by day 5 I was really achy again.  Sometimes when people start it is a good idea to go two times per week.  After several weeks, I did notice a significant change but could also tell when 5 days had passed.

My 51 year old husband unexpectedly died 8 months after I had started treatments.  Once I stumbled through the first month after his passing, I started back to acupuncture but this time for a completely different reason.  The stress, anxiety and depression in my life could be treated with acupuncture as well as the previous physical pain.

The negative side effects are limited unless you are on blood thinner medication.  Occasionally, one needle insertion will produce a few drops of blood or possibly a bruise.  It does not happen often. The only other effect that I have had is feeling completely relaxed and drowsy when I leave the studio, like I just woke up.

Dr. S would ask each week how I was doing, and place needles accordingly.  This traditional Chinese medicine is based on the philosophy that describes the universe and body in terms of two opposing forces, yin and yang.  Therapy can release blocked Qi ( great words with friends word to know!) by stimulating the body’s many systems. Acupuncture can help with insomnia, digestive issues, physical pain, migraines, anxiety, depression and infertility.

According to a study at my husband Mike’s alma mater, UCSD, in 1997 the U.S. publicized acupuncture’s safety and efficacy for treating a wide range of conditions.  Acupuncture is now covered by many insurance policies and is used mainly to relieve pain.

The goal of acupuncture therapy is to promote and restore the balance of energy that flows through the body.  To become an acupuncturist in the United States, most practitioners have a masters degree and a license to practice in the state. They are well educated in the field of ancient Chinese medical practices and in the huge array of acupuncture points in the human body.

For more information I purchased the reference book “Healing with Whole Foods – Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition” by Paul Pitchford.  I am still in the learning process but this was recommended to me so I am moving forward and educating myself as well. You can order the book through Amazon by clicking on the affiliate link photo below,

Have you tried acupuncture? What are your thoughts?