She said as she placed slim, precise needles into my head, “You don’t like acupuncture do you?”
I grimaced. “It works.”
“That’s why you tolerate it and keep coming back, otherwise you would have stopped long ago.” said wise, very kind acupuncturist, still sticking in needles.
This was me –
I haven’t taken particularly well to the sensation of having sharp thin needles stuck in the top of my head, between my eyes, the insides of my wrists and inners shins, and tops of my feet, very well. I tense and breath and cope. But no, I don’t like having acupuncture.
So why do I keep going back?
Because before I went, I was getting between 2-3 hours sleep a night and getting at least one stay-in-bed-for-three-day migraines a month. With acupuncture, I’m sleeping better and though I’m still headachey, I’m not debilitated.
Quality of life improvement.
I’ve missed a few weeks of acupuncture due to my other half losing his job before Christmas, then Christmas came, the acupuncturist closed for a few weeks and I was back to struggling, insomnia came back with a vengeance. But today I finally went back and I intend to make it regular again until it’s under control and we can wean me down to a less regular programme.
I’d rather have these blasted pointy needles with the understanding acupuncturist that knows I hate them, than keep filling my body with pharmaceuticals that I see long term problems with.
Here’s to pointy sharp needles! Has anyone else tried them for anything?
I don’t think I could handle that! But if it helps you sleep, that’s important.
Sorry your husband lost his job.
Thanks Alex. He got employment again this week!
Rebecca – I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s job! I hope he finds another very soon. In the meantime, I don’t blame you at all for disliking those needles. And for continuing to go back. If your pain is lessened and you can sleep well at night, then it’s completely worth it.
Oddly, he found temporary employment again this week and it could change to more permanent. Fingers crossed!
The needles are definitely the lesser of two evils.
I’ve wondered about acupuncture and what it would be like to give it a go. I don’t have anything wrong with me though. Guess that’s a good thing.
That id definitely a good thing! If you ever did need it though, I’d recommend it. I find it really helpful.
I suppose your story proves that actually acupuncture works. You get the benefits despite the fact you hate it – some of these alternative therapies seem to work on placebo effect!
Absolutely. I don’t mind how it works, the fact that it helps is what is important. As the acupuncturist said to me, I’d have stopped going long ago if I wasn’t getting anything out of it.
I had them in my elbow and my tennis elbow got better, so it must work. You’re having to put up with a lot more. Keep going Rebecca. Sorry to hear about your husband’s job, we’ve been there too. It’s not easy. xx
Thanks Margaret. He found something temporary this week, so keeping our fingers crossed.
Acupuncture is a weird one. I feel slightly sorry for my lovely acupuncturist seeing me so obviously hating it!
I get needle-based muscle release therapy done. It is painful but incredible worth it. Here’s a link to my blog with a video of the process – not for those who have an aversion to needles as it is fairly “needle graphic”! I found that although I hate the pain I love the outcome, so I try to go regularly.
http://www.beatinglimitations.com/blog/post/20120521-acupuncture
Thanks Donna. I do love how you push past your illness limitations. An inspiration.
Fantastic post.
Really enjoyed reading it and it held my attention all the way through! Keep it up.