Acupuncture

This morning I went to see an acupuncturist for the first time in my life. I had to do something about my aching right arm. It has been bothering me over two months since falling while mountain biking at the Kingdom Trails. I have avoided seeking help from my regular doctor because I imagined this would lead to a referral to an orthopeodist, X-rays, an MRI and the eventual reccomendation to avoid using my arm until it healed. This would mean no biking and no skiing! So I chose to avoid seeing my doctor.

I spent over two hours with the accupuncturist this morning. The practitioner, Susan explained the theory of how accupuncture works, where and how it originated, and how it could help me. After taking an extensive history she let me know that she wasn't going to be just treating my arm, she was going to treat my entire body, including my spinal problems, my hormonal issues, my low energy levels, and my heart arhythmia. (Man, I'm a mess!) She explained that it is all about opening blockages in my Meridians. I'm still not sure why sticking a needle in a certain spot will open a blockage and I never knew I had meridians. But my arm was killing me so I told her to have at it.

She stuck me full of needles, all the while explaining what she was doing and why. I didn't find it painful at all. She definitely hit some spots that caused strange sensations in my arms and neck. When she started my arm was killing me. By the time she was done I had absolutely no pain in my arm. I waited for the pain to return on the one hour drive home. Driving has been one of the things that has consistently agravated the arm injury. All the way home I had no pain. When I got home I changed and went out for a one hour trail run. My energy was great, even after running long yesterday.

I don't think I'm completely mended at this point but things are much better. I go back next week for more treatment. I'm one of the biggest skeptics alive, but I'm giving this a fair chance and so far it seems to be working.