Breaking news: acupuncture really does not hurt.
Despite the fact that the process of acupuncture is inserting tiny hair-width needles into certain points of the body to stimulate the area and lead to possible alleviation of certain conditions, at most it’s like being kissed by a mosquito.
Photo by Madison Miller
The thing that hurt the most wasn’t the penetration of a needle in between my skin cells, but it was my wallet $125 short as I walked out of the small office.
While for many this price may seem steep, it may be a good alternative or last effort for some kind of issue an individual is having.
Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese medicine that is meant to release endorphins as well as boost the blood flow. Overall, it helps to connect the body with the mind. For example, apparently, the two sides of my brain don’t communicate well and this can cause disruption and poor levels in the body. Acupuncture could gradually help and create a solution for this.
I will say that acupuncture is an individualized process in ways that I haven’t really experienced when it comes to medical attention. Similar to a doctor’s visit you have to fill out paperwork. However, the paperwork asks you questions about recurring issues with your health and mental health. You also circle areas on your body that have some kind of pain, whether it’s a dull or sharp ache, that will be taken into consideration when the acupuncture starts.
While many acupuncturists use different methods in order to diagnose and treat, this particular office uses an electrodiagnostic device to help. This device measures the energy imbalances and represents it on an online document with different levels.
This chart will show certain parts of the body and possible imbalances. Each part of the body will have its own acupuncture points and this electrodiagnostic device helps break down where attention is needed.
In particular, the acupuncturist was looking to help with headaches and anxiety so a few of the acupuncture points were right above my eyebrows and near the center of my ear.
Acupuncture is meant to potentially treat anything from insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, diabetes, kidney diseases, fertility, arthritis, digestive issues and chronic pain.
After the needles are placed in the specific points, the needles need to stay in for up to 20 minutes before removal. If a needle is taken out too early it can cause discomfort. Also blood, slight discomfort and bruising are all common. A few places the needle were inserted felt sore or bled at the moment. Also, if a needle feels uncomfortable in its position you’re supposed to say something so its position can be altered slightly (I did not do this on one spot on my hand, so I deserved it).
So after the needles are removed, there are still ways that a person can keep the blood flow and pressure to the distinct points being targeted later. Small taps or strokes near the acupuncture point can stimulate this part of the body. Tapping near the collar bone near the Shao Yin, or heart point can help in between sessions for that area.
The whole experience taught me a lot about what it means to be familiar with your body and with your mind, even if that sounds cheesy. I was able to discuss and learn about what kind of things may be lacking or hurting in my life (whether its a lack of nutrients, exercise, headaches or anxiety). It made it seem like a solution wasn’t too far off based off what was actually happening in my body.
The world of alternative health takes time and patience to see actual results. But it does a lot for helping people to understand just how connected our minds and our bodies are.
One session of acupuncture does not really make an immediate difference, especially compared to something like pills. It does seem to make you sleepy and relaxed for the day though.
A lot of patients that go into acupuncture will have an imbalance with their vitamin and mineral levels. The acupuncturist mentioned this mixture as something she suggests to all her college-aged patients because its affordable and can make a real difference.
An adrenal cocktail will be recommended if a person has low aldosterone. This mixture includes orange juice (this helps with having minerals get to the liver), cream of tartar (this is a source of potassium) and Himalayan sea salt (an obvious good source of sodium as well as 90+ other minerals).
