When we have a headache many of us pop a pill and hope it masks the pain. How often though do you sit and think why you have a headache or any other ailment? Do you mask the pain or look for a cause? I ‘treat’ myself to a sports massage every month, I swapped relaxing pampering massages when Erin was in spica for a sports massage. Yes it can hurt a bit and I’ve never fallen into a peaceful doze like I did in a pampering treatment but the results are longer lasting and make me feel good.
In the past I have also tried reflexology and Dylan even had kinesology as a toddler when his skin and allergies were more severe. They worked for us. Lee is more sceptical being a pure science specialist but even he couldn’t deny Dylan’s skin improving. Therefore when an invite dropped into my inbox asking me if I wanted to try acupuncture in the run up to acupuncture awareness week (2nd – 8th March) which is supported by the British Acupuncture Council I couldn’t resist. I went along to my session with no specific ailment, I explained I ache a bit, feel sluggish in the afternoons and get some joint pain especially in my left knee now I am running again. I know my muscles ache and I have quite abit of tightness in my lower back and shoulders.
After asking me a number of lifestyle and health questions I had a number of needles placed into my back, it wasn’t painful and although I felt a sensation I wouldn’t have called it pain. I then sat with these needles in place whilst we chatted. I found it very therapeutic and actually shared some pretty intense stuff that has affected me now as an adult. That was a bit of a revelation as I hadn’t expected that. I don’t know if that was because my acupuncturist was especially charismatic but I chatted honestly and freely and it was good.
After a while the needles were removed and I laid on the bed on my back and had needles placed deeper into pressure points on my legs. The pressure points were marked out after a series of measurements taken. This was more noticeable and I thought it was amazing that some of the pressure points he gently touched were actually very sensitive prior to the needle. On this application I did feel a mixture between stinging, tingling and a short stab. I didn’t dislike it.
As he worked I thought I had needles in me and it wasn’t until the therapist told me I didn’t that I realised this. I had wanted to grab a picture of me with pins in as proof! Once this part of the treatment was over I felt very calm.
I left and whilst it was an interesting experience I realise that one treatment is not going to make a huge difference to my well being. One really interesting thing I found out is that in traditional Chinese acupuncture you pay for treatments whilst you are well. If you become unwell that is when treatment is free because the assumption is that you do what you can to look after your body and when it fails you is because acupuncture has not worked on the right area and you then pay again once balance (health and vitality) has been restored.
If you are local I cannot recommend Ed Mander enough – for a total newbie to acupuncture he was brilliant and I loved that he didn’t have business cards or wasn’t even sure of his website address as his business comes from word of mouth and recommendations of those he has been treating the past 20 years. This speaks volumes to me, he doesn’t need fancy marketing or social media but I know he would welcome new clients if you want to try it out. For those not local To find out more about traditional acupuncture visit wwwintroducingacupuncture.co.uk.
It was a great to try acupuncture and I look forward to seeing how I feel over the coming days.
9 Responses
I’ve had 2 courses of acupuncture after injury carried out by physios. The first time was amazing, exercises and ultra sound wasn’t helping but the acupuncture helped so much. The whiplash injury improved so quickly as the treatment was relaxing not only my neck muscles but also shoulder & back muscles too.
A few years later I had another course for a different injury and I don’t think the effects were as good as the first time. But I would certainly be open to giving it a try again. Although it didn’t help with the injury itself, I felt very relaxed in myself and probably feel it wasn’t the correct choice of treatment for that particular injury as opposed to not working.
Hope it does you some good.
Oh I love acupuncture. It really does work. It’s amazing.
I am a huge acupuncture fan. I am very lucky in that I have a friend who practices here, so I quite often pop to hers when I need to. At first I was sceptical, but I remember going when I had a terrible tooth ache, and she just popped a needle in my jaw line, and a few minutes later the pain had gone…
I am a massive fan too – been using it on and off for 30 years! So glad you had a positive experience 🙂
As someone who is not a fan of needles I have always been reluctant to have this done.
I’ve never tried acupuncture but I have heard really good reports about it. Mich x
Oooh, I’d love to try acupuncture for my headaches.
Accupunture is one of those things that I’ve never had done but have always wondered what’s it like so thank you for sharing x
I’ve only used it a few times, but each time it’s totally worked. Sounds like you’ve found yourself a keeper! Such a great feeling when you find someone that works for you x