January 12, 2007
A New Strategy: Accupuncture
I'm willing to try anything once if I think there is a good chance it can help to improve my IBS. Accupuncture isdefinitely one treatment that takes a slight leap of faith. Needles? All over my body? Yes, I was desperate.
I got this card of a Eastern Medicine practice from a co-worker. The office was right across the street and my insurance covered it with a small copay. My co-worker insisted that I give it a chance and go the first session with an open mind. Appointment made. I meet an older Asian gentleman with a slight accent. To tell you the truth, that made me feel better especially when he started describing the energy of my body. He believed it whole heartedly - and not just because he learned it from formal education, but because he lived it. Fully clothed, I stood in front of him as he pushed on various spots on my body. I'm still anxious for the needles, secretly hoping that the introduction session doesn't include any real ones. Then he requested that I lay on the bench, still fully clothed.
If you've seen the last season of Sex and the City, you'll remember Charlette's accupuncture sessions to remedy infertility. You'll also remember her having a breakdown in the middle of the session and running out with dozens of needles poking out of her face. That scene played over and over in my mind as the doctor placed the first needle on the top of my hand - giving the head of the needle a "flick" to puncture my skin. "OUCH", I said. Ok, so I was being a bit of a baby. It didn't really hurt, more like a pinch. Another dozen pinches later (few on my face, few on my hands, few on my feet) the doctor tells me to relax for ten minutes and suddenly the image of Charlette pops back into my head. You have to understand the unexpected claustrophobia that can come with having needles sticking out of you and every movement results in a little pain.
After forcing myself to breathe, the ten minutes passed. The results? The following day resulted in regularity and this odd relaxing sensation that lingered.
We'll have to see about second session.
Posted by Christine on January 12, 2007 12:54 AM
Regularity, huh? How long did it last? I'm trying to weigh up the needles vs problematic pooping.
Posted by: Irish Girl at January 25, 2007 11:08 AM
Well, about 1 week. It doesn't seem to very effective unless you go regularly.
Posted by: Author at March 16, 2007 10:20 AM