Since I was about 10 years old, I have suffered from migraines. I have been on every drug, tried everything, done food diaries, etc. The only connection that they can deduce is the weather and stress. Awesome - 2 things I have ZERO control over. I mean stress - as much as I try to not let it get to me - it creeps up. I'm a very stressed out person and I do my best to keep it at bay! Obviously the weather I have no way of changing and the worst part is when I see the forecast. When I see that throughout the week on Monday it's gonna be 80 and by Tuesday it will drop to 40 and be raining - I stress. This is pretty much what I do at 8 am after I see it:
Simply because I know this migraine is looming - it's like a Catch 22. I've tried so many different remedies and things over the years that acupuncture seems like a last resort.
The other thing I've been treating is this lil old back problem. You may remember from my "Dr. Hottie" story that I have a bit of an issue. Since I decided that running ridiculous distances (i.e. 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 10 miles) at a time was a good idea, my back has been revolting against the rest of my body. It's still causes me a lot of pain and the fun part is that the pain permeates to my hips - awesome. Again - acupuncture seems like a last resort.
When someone originally told me to try it, my initial reaction was similar to this:
I've now been going for about 6 months and let me tell you - I think it might be helping. I mean whether or not it actually is - I don't know - but I feel like it is - so it's all in the head. Mind over body. The first time I didn't quite know what to expect. Didn't know if it was going to hurt or really just simply freak me out. but honestly - it didn't hurt at all (for the most part). There are a few spots that get me - and they do EVERY TIME - but as a whole - it's really not bad. She puts them all over my feet and my legs, arms, hands, ear, head, the whole 9. I look like a pin cushion! She just started treating my back about 3 weeks ago and I actually look forward to my appointments. I get to lay on my stomach on a massage-like table. She does her thing, turns out the lights, normally I fall asleep. Next thing I know she tip toes in and whispers, ok you're done. Takes out the needles and off I go. It's so peaceful. It's 30 minutes of my day that I do absolutely nothing but just lay there. Sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes I think about my dinner for that night, sometimes my mind races and it's not as "stress free". But regardless of what happens - I keep going back for more!
Over time she also given me different lotions/solutions for various ailments. For example when I sprained my ankle a few weeks back, she gave me this brown glass bottle with the label "tendon lotion" - that's it. So I slapped that stuff on my foot a few times a day - and low and behold - it's actually helping! Unreal!
Basically I think it's something everyone should try at some point in their lives. It's so great. And the amount of things they can treat - is just insane to me. They also look at your tongue (totally weird) and take your pulse to figure out different things. The whole thing is so interesting. I usually ask her a million questions and I'm fortunate that she's patient with me! I LOVE my acupuncturist! It's also something you should ask for a recommendation for - don’t' just pick one out of a phone book. And some insurance companies cover it - mine does - so that's an added bonus!
So everyone go on out and find your nearest and dearest acupuncturist! If you're in NYC - I'd be happy to give you mine!! Enjoy and let me know how it goes!
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