Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My Experience with Acupuncture

I recently attended my first acupuncture appointment. I have to admit that it's something I never thought I would do and in fact, I'd probably list it as one of the craziest things I've ever done (apparently I'm not much of a risk taker since acupuncture is making that list)


After I posted about my struggles of wanting to get pregnant I received several emails from you all sharing your own struggles either past or present. A few of you recommended acupuncture and while I appreciated the suggestion it was something so foreign to me that I just put it on a waiting list of things to try later on when I'd run out of other options. I'm not much on needles (ok really, who is?) and honestly, in the back of my mind, I was scared of what people would think when I mentioned possibly getting it. Would it be considered a sign of desperation? 


As time went on though the word acupuncture kept popping up. I read about it in a book, it came up in random conversation, I heard about it on TV, I saw it in a magazine. It became something I honestly felt compelled to do. I don't know about you, but I believe in signs and when it came to acupuncture it seemed God was almost screaming at me to go.


My first appointment was almost 3 hours long. She did a very thorough intake exam asking all kinds of questions. Did I prefer hot or cold drinks? Was my skin dry or oily? Did I have any digestive issues? She looked at my tongue which told her that I was a stressful person among some other spot on issues for me. We went over all the details of my labor as well as other female and fertility issues. I can't tell you how nice it was to be asked some of the questions I was asked. I didn't feel rushed. I didn't feel silly for bringing up every little issue. I felt heard. 


After she finished her diagnosis, she thoroughly explained everything in detail to me. She was extremely patient when I asked her a million questions of what everything meant as Eastern medicine is a whole new way of looking at the body and its functions. She even explained how we could tie the Eastern and Western medicine together.


Then it was time for me to climb on the table. I was nervous. I wasn't sure if it was going to hurt. I wasn't sure where all I was going to be stuck. In fact I had no clue what to expect. 


She stuck needles in almost every part of my body (face, head, chest, stomach, back, hands, legs, feet and ear). They were in small groups so I didn't look like a ginormous pin cushion much to my husbands dismay. Some of them I didn't feel at all, some of them made me jump and some of them just felt like a slight prick. She also used magnets to help "balance" certain things and she "burned" an herb on certain parts of my body (don't worry I didn't feel anything). Finally she incorporated sound therapy using tuning forks around my body which was actually very relaxing.


At this point you are probably thinking I'm on the crazy train right?


To be honest I'm not sure how all of this will turn out. I can tell you that once I got off the table I felt happier and less stressed. Later on in the day I saw a few other family members who actually noted my increase in happiness. I initially felt light headed and maybe a little dazed. I was instructed to take an Epsom salt bath later that night to release toxins and order some essential oils to rub on certain areas of my body. I'll be the first to admit that I'm leaping blindly into this, but I feel good about it and right now that's all that matters. 


I head back to my regular OB in April at which point I expect we will discuss more options. I'm sure he will be recommending more testing, hormones or other drugs and honestly none of that sounds appealing to me. The testing is stressful, the hormones and drugs mess not only with my body but actually DO place me on the crazy train emotionally. At this point herbs, oils, sound therapy and acupuncture seem so much less invasive and if they don't work I don't have to worry about any crazy side effects and to me, that means a lot. 



11 comments :

  1. I just got giddy when I saw the title for today's post!! I am SOO happy you decided to try this. I kid you not, I had the same God compelling, too-many-signs not to do it experience with acupuncture and it has paid off 100 percent! In fact, even now with my skin issues I go to my acupuncturist. I don't even have needle treatments anymore, just wholefood supplements and other natural things. It really feels so much less invasive than other medicines. I hope you'll continue to give it a try. I was told to give at least three sessions. Can't wait to hear how this turns out! Yay, Laura!

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  2. Hey it almost sounds as relaxing as a massage! Glad you had a great experience and that you left happier and more relaxed. :)

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  3. Good for you! I have recently started seeing a chiropractor. Some even specialize in fertility.

    I think that we all need to support each other....in whatever choices we make. Choices are what is best for you and your family.

    I am excited to hear more about your acupuncture journey. I find it fascinating....I am so scared of needles...I don't know if I would get the courage up to try it or not.

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  4. I've always been curious, so thank you for sharing this.

    My friend's Mom did it for back pain and my friend did it when she was trying to turn her baby towards the end of pregnancy.

    It sounds like it's been positive for you so far.

    Keep your head up!

    It took us 8 months to get pregnant with Mia.

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  5. This is so intriguing. Seems to make so much sense how they view the body. I hope and pray it happens soon for you, but I KNOW it will happen. Thanks for sharing the experience. So cool!

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  6. I am so intrigued and thinking about trying this myself. It sounds relaxing honestly!

    I am with you - really don't prefer drugs and testing, etc. It just adds to my stress and worry (my stress sky rockets in a medical hospital setting)

    Eager to hear more as your journey continues.

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  7. I've heard so many women using acupunture to help with fertility among tons of other issues. I think it's great! Like you said, even if it doesn't work at least it's natural and won't leave you with a bunch of crazy side effects!

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  8. I'm so glad you tried it! It's tedious, but try and stick with it.

    I've used it for several things and always had great results - and I'm not normally a natural/alternative med kind of girl AT ALL.

    I also used it as time to just relax, pray, and sort of meditate and envision what I wanted my body to do.

    Best wishes! xo

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  9. I think i want to go now! sounds relaxing! Also id like to know what my tongue says about me

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  10. Way to go, Laura! I used an acupuncturist when I injured my hip in high school. I found the whole process fascinating and therapeutic. My aunt is actually going to school for it, so I've let her practice on me a few times ;) I love it! But then again, I don't have a fear of needles. If you decide to keep up with it, I'll be looking forward to hearing all about it. *hugs*

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  11. So so happy you tried it! And I'm sending prayers and good thoughts and all of that your way. If anything, maybe, just maybe, it will take that tiny amount of stress out of the way that was preventing everything from happening.

    And how great that these options are available right?

    Best of luck!

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