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Acupuncture: What's the Point?

By Donna McLaughlin Schwender

I don't consider myself someone who is afraid of needles…a belenophobic, according to scientific definitions. However, I never thought I would be at a point in my life when going to an acupuncturist would seem like a blessing from above. "Never say never" was never more accurate than in this case.

chart A few years ago, I experienced a two-month long marathon of not sleeping; when I say not sleeping, I mean NOT sleeping…none…not even five minutes a night. Trust me…it wasn't by choice. The impact of those life-draining weeks on my mind, as well as on my body, was beyond anything that I could ever convey in words. I tend to think of myself as a person with a strong constitution, someone who is capable of enduring more than the average Jane or John, but I can honestly say that I truly didn't know if I was going to make it to the resolution of this unimaginable problem.

What got me through? You guessed it…visits to an acupuncturist. As I said, I never saw it coming.

As I had been receiving regular treatments of reflexology, craniosacral therapy, and acupressure for years, this wasn't a completely new experience for me. Just an unexpected one.

My husband, who was much newer to, and far more skeptical of, the world of "alternative medicine" than I was, had been referred to this acupuncturist several months prior. He had been battling an upper respiratory ailment for months and, as they say, "was getting nowhere fast." It took only one treatment for him to realize that his life would never be the same again. An entirely new world of options and possibilities had opened up right before him. He hasn't been the same since and I'm VERY grateful.

free chart When my reflexologist made the recommendation for me to see the acupuncturist, at that point I would have tried ANYTHING to get some sleep finally. No insult intended to the realm of acupuncture and no implying that I was easily "converted" because of my "desperate" condition.

The gentleman acupuncturist that I met with was amazingly thorough in his initial evaluation. This wasn't a ten-minute "yes or no" session; this was long forms of questions that I couldn't foresee the relevance of at the time, an even longer conversation, and a general physical exam. Then and only then did he give me some idea of a diagnosis and treatment plan.

I won't lie and say that I had a miraculous recovery halfway through the first acupuncture session, but I can say that I at least got a few minutes sleep within a few hours of the treatment. It felt like Christmas had come early that year.

After four treatments spread out over the course of the next six weeks, and with the aid of a variety of Chinese herbs that had also been recommended by my acupuncturist, I was almost back to "normal,"…whatever "normal" is these days.

I'm not here to sell you anything or to convert you to my way of thinking. That's not my mission with these words. All that I want to do is share my story and to encourage anyone who's contemplating a session or who knows someone that is in need of help with their health, to seriously consider giving it a try. We will be listing additional information on acupuncture and history of this alternative therapy along with schools of acupuncture therapy and where to find free acupressure charts. Even those who're squeamish around needles might be in for a pleasant and extremely life-enhancing surprise.

Welcome to the Chinese Medicine Sampler - A public education site about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine written for lay people. There is a library free to all and a mock diagnosis available for $15.00.

Beyond Well Being - Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines - A clinic in Santa Monica, California featuring mail order traditional Chinese herbal formulas customized to the patient's unique medical needs.

acupressure charts credit: calvindale.com/acupointsfig4.html - acupuncture and history.

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