Saturday, January 24, 2015

My first acupuncture appointment

I woke up this morning to snow! We've barely had any snow this winter in Boston. The snow has stopped now but people were out building snowmen and shoveling this morning.


This snowman looks very pleased. I love his leaf hair.

I had my first acupuncture appointment this morning at Acupuncture for Everyone in Copley. A friend recommended the place to me. You pay what you can for your appointment so it is very affordable (I believe the minimum amount is $20.00). I paid $45.00 for my first visit (the sliding scale is higher for the first visit but I think the minimum is $30.00). I sat outside the acupuncture room and spoke with Anne about my medical issues. My main reason for going is for my interstitial cystitis. She asked me questions and then explained what points she thought would be good for me. Apparently I have too much "heat".

The acupuncture room is very calm and relaxing. There are four reclining chairs so you might be in the room with someone else receiving treatment. I had one other person in the room with me. It didn't bother me though. Anne told me to let her know if any of the needles bothered me and asked me how long I wanted my treatment to be. I went with 25 minutes for the first time since that is the minimum amount she recommended. The needles were not painful. The needle I "felt" the most was one in the middle of my forehead. When I tried to close my eyes I could feel my eyelids twitching. It stopped after a few minutes. My arms and legs felt heavy and tingly. It wasn't a bad feeling and to me that means that something was happening.

I had one needle on my face, three on my arms and a few on my lower legs and feet. Most of them I didn't even feel going in.

Acupuncture is something you need to keep doing. You're not going to leave after one treatment "cured". I'm definitely going to continue and see if my cystitis improves.

8 comments:

  1. So you just have to stick to it?

    I apologize, I can't help it...it's the Tourette's.

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  2. Aw, that snowman is adorable!

    Good luck with the acupuncture. I have had it done in the past. It didn't help me with the problem I was trying to fix, but who knows why. I also react weirdly to prescription drugs, so I am not a good case study for the efficacy of treatments.

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    1. I figure it doesn't hurt to try and if it doesn't work at least I'll know. I didn't try it until now because most places charge over $100 per visit and I didn't want to spend that kind of money if it's not going to do anything. I will say my allergies have been good. No sneezing today.

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  3. Interesting, I hope you'll keep us posted as you "stick with it". I have a few friends who absolutely swear by acupuncture for anything from chronic pain to infertility (babies followed). Never had the pleasure myself, but I'd definitely be up for it.

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  4. Acupuncture is a great form of alternative medication that is usually used as preventive medicine. although not many people are in favor of the treatment, I'm glad to know that you gave it a shot. I do hope that you feel better soon. Make sure to update us on any improvements and updates. Thanks for sharing that, Ginny! All the best to you!

    Hannah Holland @ Berkeley Community Acupuncture and Massage Therapy

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  5. It’s great that you tried acupuncture for the first time to help you relax and ease the pain caused by your illness. Interstitial cystitis could really be quite painful if left untreated, but because of acupuncture, it may somehow help in treating it along with the specific treatments needed for the disease. Get well soon, and thanks for sharing your first acupuncture experience.

    Emmett Fletcher @ CK Physiotherapy

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  6. It might be wrong to feel this way but I am super excited about my first upcoming acupuncture appointment. I have tried to give up smoking in so many ways and just keep failing. I’ve found an acupuncturist in Toronto who has had success with precious clients so I’m hoping this clinic can help me too. Can’t hurt to try can it?

    Shanell Custer @ Sage Health and Wellness

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