Stick It To Me
I could write this post in 2 words. JUST GO. Ok, see ya.
No, seriously. I have recently been converted to the wonderful world of acupuncture. I was pretty skeptical at the beginning, but got to a desperate place. Since November, I have been dealing with horrible lower back pain. One night I called my brother-in-law Shawn up and asked him if he had any muscle relaxers from his surgery a year before. I could barely get the whole question out before I started bawling. I was in so much pain! He rushed right over. Over the course of a hour I took 2 muscle relaxers and 2 pain pills. Nothing. No relief.
I made an immediate appointment with my chiropractor and over the next several months, I had multiple appointments every week. I also added in several sessions with a massage therapist. It was helping to a certain extent, but I was still not getting full relief of my pain. And worst of all, I would find myself back in those crisis moments where the pain was so severe I was just curled up in bed weeping in agony. Then my massage therapist said I needed to find an acupunturist. Since my body wasn’t holding the adjustments, I needed to seek out a different method of treatment.
I found a guy named Keith Coley who was recommended to me by several friends and family members. I had no idea what I was in for. I knew there were needles, and that was the extent of it. Keith welcomed me into his office, and it was hard for me not to burst into tears as I explained my pain. He was very optimistic, and we started right away. I’m not sure if all acupuncturists can do this, but he intuitively could figure out if my issue was emotionally or physically based. Thankfully mine was all physical, so I didn’t need to do any emotional clearing to get to the root of the issue. It was just a wonky back.
Needles:
Ok, so some of you are probably really afraid of needles. I’m not, so I can’t help you there. Plus, I was desperate and willing to try anything. But I will say – they are TINY. The initial placement did not hurt at all, in fact I couldn’t even feel them go in. However, there are some spots that are more tender than others. Sometimes it ached pretty bad, especially when that particular needle hit a blocked energy channel. Does that make sense? I don’t understand it either. But pain began to = release.
Result:
It really works. Those Chinese are on to something and have been for 1000′s of years. After about 5 sessions, my back feels amazing! I mean really amazing! I am 100% sold. The pain is gone, and I can finally get back to day to day life.
Cost:
Initial visit was $150 for an hour and a half treatment. Then it is $70 for each hour follow up visit. The sucky part is that (at least in Tennessee) most insurance companies don’t cover preventative care. In fact, almost all therapies that I use are not covered by health insurance. Chris and I even recently switched to a more catastrophic coverage plan because we are spending so much money now on preventative care. But, it’s worth every penny.
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I would highly recommend acupuncture to anyone who is dealing with chronic pain. Get past the fear, and what you think it is, and try it. It’s not voodoo medicine, it’s just a different way of thinking about healing the body. This therapy is the real deal y’all.
Who else has tried it? Any success stories?
I’m going for my first appointment next week and I’m excited for how it’s going to help me with my issues. You’re right – my people have this healing thing down pat, from acupuncture to reflexology to herbs, ointments and more preventative measures instead of antibiotics, pain killers or chemicals. It’s fascinating. Glad you’re feeling better!
Tabitha, thanks so much for your comment. I’m excited that you are going to your first appointment. Can’t wait to hear what you think, and to see if it helps. It’s pretty incredible!
I too have an amazing success story with acupuncture, and even with the same acupuncturist you went to!
I was having my mercury fillings replaced and didn’t realize it but one slipped down my trachea and lodged there. A week or so later I started having uncontrollable coughing spells, and asthma symptoms emerged for which I had to go to the emergency room. They diagnosed me with asthma, gave me inhalers, etc. Finally, I decided to go to Keith, whom I knew, and after one session, I coughed up a tiny something and after the second session I coughed up the whole thing. Two sessions, miracle experience. I actually coughed up the whole filling as I was waiting in the hospital to have it removed. They found nothing else. I too am a huge believer in acupuncture, and I don’t like needles, but these are tiny and you barely feel them!
Wow, Lisa! That is incredible! That is totally a miracle. Thanks for sharing your story!
I love acupuncture! Rachel Davis at the Green Hills Natural Health Clinic works her magic so well! I find I fidget for the first five minutes and then bliss out for the rest. So awesome to be buzzing with moving energy. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it and it’s working so well for you, Mary!
Bryn,
I feel the same way. It takes me a few minutes to calm down, but once I do I am totally blissed out. Such a great feeling. Thanks for sharing
Mary,
Great post. I have loved acupuncture and really appreciated your detailed description of what to expect. In fact, I actually had acupuncture (in the hospital) while in labor with my third child. It was an awesome experience and intrigued much of the hospital staff. I’ve also used it for chronic shoulder problems. I am glad to hear of your experience and wish you well with more in the future.
Rachel
Wow! How cool that you were able to do that during your labor. What hospital allowed that?
It was a hospital here in the Minneapolis area. I had to sign some forms releasing the hospital of liability. I’m not sure if they would allow it again. I never had acupuncture in labor following that one, but honestly know that it truly helped the labor. Afterwards I had several doctors and nurses chat with me regarding the experience. I think it helped that I use a Certified Nurse Midwife so she was already open to alternative treatments.
I’ve been seeing Keith periodically for almost 3 years…He’s fantastic!! He, God and Dr. Motley have been my healing team:-)
He really is! So glad you’ve got such an awesome team