Getting Needled for my Choice in Treatment

[Joefnh]

Well as an introduction to this thread, I recently just completed a trip to Brisbane Australia and as a bonus had the opportunity to meet up with Gabes another member on this site. Gabes also introduced me to an acupuncturist that she has been successfully seeing for treatments for several years now.

As an engineer, I tend to be analytical in my approach to new ideas and in approaching the subject of acupuncture, I have viewed this as a new topic of study and research with myself being the test subject.

During my visit to Brisbane I had the opportunity to visit with a very talented acupuncture practitioner Shauno Price, who during 2 treatment sessions was able to convince me that there is a real benefit and science to this form of treatment. In summary, during this trip, I had been dealing with a fair amount of hip, lower back, GI cramping and foot pain that during the 2 sessions was over 80% resolved. While this was only 2 sessions, the treatments provided significant benefits for about 10 days. Overall I did not even feel one of the needles used, getting your blood drawn is far worse. I did go into these sessions as a skeptical optimist, and after experiencing the benefits have decided to pursue this further in the Boston area with a local practice.

Today was my first session with the Plumb Blossom clinic in Cambridge Mass and I was quite satisfied with Julie the owner of this practice. I found Julie to be very attentive and detail oriented. She took a good hour to talk with me, and take significant notes and come up with a preliminary treatment plan. The session lasted 2 hours overall, and was quite beneficial in reducing the GI discomfort and lower back pain that I was experiencing after my colonoscopy on Monday.

Currently I am planning to pursue this further with 1 appointment a week for the next 8 weeks. Overall my goal with acupuncture, a strict diet and the medications is to improve my overall quality of life. This disease can really affect us by robbing our energy, our dignity and our lifestyles. I am hoping that by pursuing both traditional and alternative treatments that I can claim back a good portion of what this disease is trying to take from me. Life is too short to wait for a victory over this disease, the goal here is to see what I can do to claim back the parts of my life that are being lost to MC.

I realize this type of treatment is not for everybody, and for me it was a first and somewhat foreign concept. After giving it a try though I felt there was merit to it techniques, that warranted further research and treatments.

Thanks to all on this site who have shared their stories and knowledge it really has made this journey far easier

--Joe

[JoAnn]

Joe, I'm so excited for you finding this place. I am convinced acupuncture works with the right practitioner. I am a regular watcher of The Dog Whisperer and Cesar Milan often has dogs with severe anxiety treated with acupuncture and they respond so well to it. There's no faking things when it comes to dogs. I'll be very interested to follow your experience with this, JoAnn

[Ginny]

Joe, I have been using an acupuncture for the last 4-6 months I find it extremely beneficial for my mind as well as my body. To be honest, it is the most relaxing time I spend and always feel rejuvenated. I don't know whether it has helped my MC, but my energy has returned and it is not just simply get through the day, go home, and go to bed! I also force myself to work out at least twice a week.

I know you will benefit from acupuncture, but it also takes time. After Barbara's post on yoga, I am going to pursue that as well again, because I found that it really helped the mental attitude before; sometimes that is where my biggest hang up can be. This is all drug free therapy and can only help.

Keep us posted...........Ginny

[Joefnh]

Thanks for the responses. Ginny I am not trying to target specifically MC, but more general health and well being. As with any chronic disease, the system as a whole takes a hit. I view this as a 'tune-up' with the benefits being increased energy, better immune response etc. I have found it to be surprisingly rejuvenating and relaxing. For the last 3 sessions, I have been relaxed to the point of being tired afterwards. I did not expect that response at all. I figured I would be nervous about the needles and leave somewhat worked up, its been quite the opposite.

Overall I am looking at both the conventional and alternative treatments with the goal being to increase my overall quality of life.



JoAnn I did not know that they have tried this on animals, that I find interesting.

--Joe

[Ginny]

Joe, I originally went in with the idea of helping my MC but quickly found out that the benefits would be more directed to improving my stamina.

Overall I am looking at both the conventional and alternative treatments with the goal being to increase my overall quality of life.

I have been on Entocort since last Nov with a break for about 6 weeks and have many, many intolerances. So my goal is the same; just to meet some midway point where I can be contented. Ginny

[Tanya Lynn]

Hey Joe,

Glad that you are trying out acupuncture. I have been going
to a great Acupuncturist off and on for about 5 years. She
does amazing things with those needles. During your first
treatments you might feel really tired and weak but after
about the 6th or 7th treatments you should notice a big
difference. It does really help with your overall well being.

Just after I got out of the hospital, from the flu shot, I wasn't
producing any saliva at all. I couldn't eat anything because I
moisten the food, it was just stuck there... Anyway, I went
to see Dr. Kimmin, and she did her thing with the needles.
She said, "In 15 minutes you will be producing saliva" as I
laid on the table and in about that time I could wet my lips for the
first time in a week, it was amazing... I am truly a believer
of acupuncture. She always told me that I had inflammation
in my gut/stomach just by looking at my tonuge and checking
my pulse. She would say that I was damp and cold in that
area.

I wish my GI dr. could read me by just looking at me!! HAHA

She's been off the last 3 months for maturnity leave and I
have a appointment with her next week, I can't wait.

Good luck with your new adventure and your great attitude..

Tanya

[barbaranoela]

Joe-----I tried acupuncturism and it was AWESOME----(plus so was the acupunturist)-

I actually fell to sleep during one session plus a total body relaxation the entire day--

Sadly it didnt help my MC--fee was high--and there was no coverage by insursurance--due to the fact that he wasnt MD

I gave it a month or 2 but he himself had said by that time I should have had some relief---

I surly hope U have good luck with these treatments--


Barbara

[Gabes-Apg]

I used to take my dogs to a dog chiropractor/acupuncturist.

there is a guy here in brisbane that has been a guru for this treatment for animals for 15 years or even more.


I have my acupuncture appointment today with 'shauno' looking forward to it big time

[Joefnh]

Hey Gabes, that's so interesting, I never heard of an animal acupuncture before this thread. I suppose it works for the human mammals it can work for others as well.

Give my best to Shauno "the dude", he really did help me quite a bit and was a great teacher putting up with all of my questions.

--Joe

[mia]

Hi Joe. I find acupuncture is a great help- who knows- never undersetimate the power of a placebo ( if indeed that is what it is- though I tend to be a believer). I am also doing 'moxi therapy' as a supplement to the acupuncture- I don't care- I'll try anything.
I hear it is best to do at least 6 sessions of acupuncture for best results- usually 2x a week, and then getting increasingly further apart. I'm very interested to see how it works out for you.
Mia

[Polly]

Rusty-dog had acupuncture several times last fall for his arthritis, and there was a noticeable difference for a few months afterwards. The vet had originally trained in China and is a certified vet acupuncturist in the U.S. I know someone who says it really works for her horse, too.

Love,

Polly

[Joefnh]

I will have to admit I have never heard of this for animals...That's really interesting. Mia one cannot discount the placebo effect and in many studies it has shown efficacy at above 30%. The human mind is a powerful tool.

In this case I don't think placebo was that involved in that I had experienced the tiredness and then found out that that could happen. Also the reduction in heart rate; going form 110 to 75 in about 30 seconds and not even know he was doing that, that was a strange sensation.

I am certainly intrigued at this point. My scientific interest is piqued.

--Joe

[mia]

Wow- you sound like a good responder to this kind of treatment Joe. I started to feel little 'internal' shivers radiating from the needle points after a number of sessions. My acupuncturist also 'manipulates' the needles several times through the sessions until I feel a funny kind of deep 'ache' at the needle point- (this is the best way to proceed for the most effect), but the acupuncturist doesn't always go for this effect with people new to it, because people are often concerned not to feel the needles. Me- I go for the sensations now- if you are game- talk to your acupuncturist about it- they have more on offer for you when they know you are open to it ( including the moxi therapy , which can also be part of your acupuncture session - if your 'condition' warrants it- by condition, I mean like damp heat etc.).

[mia]

"Currently I am planning to pursue this further with 1 appointment a week for the next 8 weeks. Overall my goal with acupuncture, a strict diet and the medications is to improve my overall quality of life. This disease can really affect us by robbing our energy, our dignity and our lifestyles. I am hoping that by pursuing both traditional and alternative treatments that I can claim back a good portion of what this disease is trying to take from me. Life is too short to wait for a victory over this disease, the goal here is to see what I can do to claim back the parts of my life that are being lost to MC. "

Joe- I love how you expressed this.
Mia (again)

(See Tex- I don't know how to do the quote thing either. Sigh. )[/quote]

[tex]

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