I've had little luck in getting rid of the series of colds/sinus infections/bronchitis/nastiness that has plagued me for the past several months (since November!), so I decided to try something a little different: Acupuncture!
I grew up in a Chiropractic household in Northern California. My father was a Chiropractor and my Mom, at one point, owned a health food store. We also had medical coverage. (I for one needed it, I was constantly breaking bones and needing stitches!) We were a fairly homeopathic household with natural tendencies. I favor the same lifestyle today. Western Medicine has it's uses and strengths, as does homeopathic. If possible, I'd much rather let my body heal on it's own, with the aid of natural remedies, than pump it full of antibiotics and other drugs. That said, I went to see my doctor a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't shake whatever it is that I have. She labeled it bronchitis and sent me away with two different types of mucinex, which really didn't do much. An unimpressive waste of nearly $200 in co-pays and pharmacy visits.
So last week I decided to try something that seemed a little "out there", even for me: Acupuncture.
After sitting down with my Acupuncturist and having a good little chat, she treated me with 8 pressure points, that's 8 needles in various spots in my hands, knees and feet. For the most part, I didn't even feel them. What I did feel, over the thirty minutes of treatment, was the congestion actually move, from my upper chest into my throat. It didn't leave completely, I'm still coughing a bit, but I literally felt the congestion move! And my coughing is markedly lessened. I'm not as tired and I actually am starting to feel better.
I've got a couple more appointments to get turned into a human pincushion, and I'm actually fairly excited to go and see if the next appointment can't rid my body of this plague completely.
Here's hoping!!
Have you tried Acupuncture? Tell me about your experience, good or bad!
Follow up, June 13, 2013:
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love acupuncture! For three weeks I saw my acupuncturist three times per week. Then we took it down to once per week for four weeks, and now I see her every other week. Three weeks after begining acupuncture my congestion was completely clear and only occaisionally triggered by newly-developed allergies, which said acupuncturist treats using both points (needles) and traditional chinese herbs, which WORK like nothing I've ever seen. I went camping two weekends ago and had a horrific relapse in allergies. I went on claritin and benadryl for a week, until I was able to get in for treatment and herbs. The drugs don't even begin to touch the allergies the way the herbs do, and the herbs don't make me drowsy or lethargic. Go natural!
On top of the sinus relief, the actual therapy is incredibly relaxing and restorative. I'm so much more mellow than I was prior to beginning treatment. I am completely converted to this medicine form!
If you live in the Walnut Creek, California area and are looking for an LaC (Licensed Acupuncturist) go see Hatice Poroy, LaC. She is amazingly wonderful, caring and incredibly knowledgeable. You'll feel like you've spent an hour with an old friend. (On top of getting better!)
The body's pressure points.
Photo from: http://www.yourmedicalstop.com/2013/01/09/safety-and-legal-issues-on-acupuncture/
I grew up in a Chiropractic household in Northern California. My father was a Chiropractor and my Mom, at one point, owned a health food store. We also had medical coverage. (I for one needed it, I was constantly breaking bones and needing stitches!) We were a fairly homeopathic household with natural tendencies. I favor the same lifestyle today. Western Medicine has it's uses and strengths, as does homeopathic. If possible, I'd much rather let my body heal on it's own, with the aid of natural remedies, than pump it full of antibiotics and other drugs. That said, I went to see my doctor a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't shake whatever it is that I have. She labeled it bronchitis and sent me away with two different types of mucinex, which really didn't do much. An unimpressive waste of nearly $200 in co-pays and pharmacy visits.
So last week I decided to try something that seemed a little "out there", even for me: Acupuncture.
After sitting down with my Acupuncturist and having a good little chat, she treated me with 8 pressure points, that's 8 needles in various spots in my hands, knees and feet. For the most part, I didn't even feel them. What I did feel, over the thirty minutes of treatment, was the congestion actually move, from my upper chest into my throat. It didn't leave completely, I'm still coughing a bit, but I literally felt the congestion move! And my coughing is markedly lessened. I'm not as tired and I actually am starting to feel better.
I've got a couple more appointments to get turned into a human pincushion, and I'm actually fairly excited to go and see if the next appointment can't rid my body of this plague completely.
Here's hoping!!
Have you tried Acupuncture? Tell me about your experience, good or bad!
Follow up, June 13, 2013:
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love acupuncture! For three weeks I saw my acupuncturist three times per week. Then we took it down to once per week for four weeks, and now I see her every other week. Three weeks after begining acupuncture my congestion was completely clear and only occaisionally triggered by newly-developed allergies, which said acupuncturist treats using both points (needles) and traditional chinese herbs, which WORK like nothing I've ever seen. I went camping two weekends ago and had a horrific relapse in allergies. I went on claritin and benadryl for a week, until I was able to get in for treatment and herbs. The drugs don't even begin to touch the allergies the way the herbs do, and the herbs don't make me drowsy or lethargic. Go natural!
On top of the sinus relief, the actual therapy is incredibly relaxing and restorative. I'm so much more mellow than I was prior to beginning treatment. I am completely converted to this medicine form!
If you live in the Walnut Creek, California area and are looking for an LaC (Licensed Acupuncturist) go see Hatice Poroy, LaC. She is amazingly wonderful, caring and incredibly knowledgeable. You'll feel like you've spent an hour with an old friend. (On top of getting better!)
