Hi Everyone-As my loyal supporters and friends know, this past week I wasn't feeling too good. While I will never be pain free cause my conditions are chronic. I do have times when I feel half way decent and I can actually have a little bit of a life. I have had several standard treatments for back pain without much luck. Meds were subscribed as well but not tolerated.
What has helped to a certain point and if I hadn't had any at all over the last ten years my condition would have deteriorated much quicker and I would be in much more pain more frequently and that is chiropractic care. Some people don't believe in it, but before I went there I had sinus type headaches for ten yrs and took tylenol sinus like it was going out of style.
Within 3 months of going to the chiropractor the headaches were gone. So I am a believer that it does help to a certain extent. It doesn't solve the underlying cause but the damage is done and it can only be maintained. The neck injury I sustained in a fall years earlier did permanent damage as well as the back injury almost 11 yrs ago. I really never was told until a doctor told me here in Va that a significant trauma had to have occurred for me to have my neck be in the condition it was. That backwards fall and smack the back of my head fall yrs ago was the only thing that could have done it. There is no curve in my neck anymore. That causes the sinus type headaches.
Today I went to a chiropractor that does acupuncture. I had one treatment by a chiropractor when I first came here but never went back to the guy cause he yanked hard on my neck without taking X-rays and I ended up with severe radiating pain down my right arm. Even though I am being currently treated by a chiropractor I like and his treatments help to a degree I wanted to try acupuncture to see if that would help at all.
I probably won't know with one treatment because of it being moderate to severe chronic long term pain. So I will be going back Monday and probably do 3 to see if I notice any improvement at all. Below is a little info about what acupuncture is and how it works and what can be problems can be treated. The short 3 minute video shows what the needles look like and how they insert them. I can tell you I am not a fan of needles but these do not hurt. They put 12-14 needles in and I laid on my stomach with a roll under my feet for 20 minutes. I can only hope it will make some kind of improvement.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy, called "qi", that circulates through twelve invisible energy lines known as meridians on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of qi throughout a meridian is how disease begins.
Acupuncturists insert needles into specified points along meridian lines to influence the restore balance to the flow of qi. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body.
How Acupuncture Works
There are numerous theories about how acupuncture works. Some of them are:
- acupuncture stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins
- acupuncture influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain
- acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system
- acupuncture stimulates circulation
- acupuncture influences the electrical currents of the body
Conditions Treated By Acupuncture
- migraines and tension headaches
- sinusitis
- common cold
- addictions, quit smoking
- trigeminal neuralgia
- Meniere's disease
- tennis elbow
- sciatica
- arthritis
- menstrual cramps
- fibromyalgia
- low back pain
- asthma
- weight loss
- infertility
What a Typical Acupuncture Treatment is Like
Before the initial appointment, clients usually complete a health history questionnaire. The acupuncturist then interviews the client, asking about his or her primary health concern, lifestyle habits, diet, emotions, menstrual cycle, sleep, temperature, appetite, stress, and sensitivity to foods, temperature, and seasons. During the interview, the acupuncturist examines the client carefully, noting his or her face color, voice, and tongue colour and coating. There are also three pulse points at the wrist of each hand that the acupuncturist will assess to further determine the health of the 12 meridians.
After the interview, the acupuncturist gives a diagnosis and begins treatment. Typically, the acupuncturist will use 6-12 needles during the treatment. The number of needles used does not correspond with the intensity of the treatment, rather it is the precise placement of the needles that is important.
Upon insertion, the client may feel a slight sting or prick. Once the needle is inserted, there should be no pain. You should feel comfortable during the treatment. If you experience pain, numbness, or discomfort, notify the acupuncturist immediately. Treatment length varies from seconds to longer than one hour. The typical length is about 20 to 30 minutes.
http://video.about.com/altmedicine/See-an-Acupuncture-Treatment.htm
Information source is from About.com,:alternative medicine
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