The Diaries: Acupuncture
(Week two in our guest post from Allison of alli-n-son)
Acupuncture Week One – My Diagnosis
Well, I’m full of great news this week! I’ve had three acupuncture appointments in the last week and, in all honesty, it was simply amazing. I mean AMAZING. After just my first treatment I felt like a new woman, which was something that I completely didn’t expect. I figured I would maybe feel a little different after a week or so. But after the first treatment, no way.
Let me back up a little bit. I had my first appointment last week Thursday, which consisted of about 45 minutes of talking, discussing, asking questions and listening. The next 20 minutes was the treatment. After explaining my reason for seeking acupuncture for my fertility problems, my need to have a healthy body ready to carry a baby, and my desire to do all of this without meds, we came up with a game plan. And a pretty simple one at that.
First of all, let me tell you what I was diagnosed with. I have a blood deficiency. Basically, what this means is that my reproductive organs are not getting the blood that they need to a support normal reproductive cycle. What causes this? Anything from a vegan or vegetarian diet, overexercising to gastrointestinal issues (often caused by anxiety, worry and over thinking). (source: http://www.redpeonyhealth.com/acupuncture-fertility-clinic-portland/139/food-for-blood-deficiency/). Yup, that just like me. I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat a lot of meat, I do really enjoy a good workout (and possibly over do-it every once-in-a-while). I would say this is a perfect fit. (If you’d like to learn more about blood deficiency in Chinese medicine and it’s symptoms, check out www.redeonyhealth.com or this article on ezinearticles.com.)
Most of the symptoms I’ve just been living with because I never realized that they were symptoms. Irregular cycles or amenorrhea. Fatigue and dizziness. A pale complexion, pale tongue, thin and weak pulse. Forgetfulness and poor memory. I had always just attributed these things to raising a toddler!
So what happens next? The good news is that my problem will be pretty easy to fix. Miscarriages, short cycles, things like that are a little trickier to figure out. After 4 months of treatments (maybe less), I should be ready to get pregnant. In the grand scheme of things, that isn’t too bad. I happened to start treatments at just the right time. I had one week of birth control left (done now), which means that I should be starting Aunt Flo soon (this is the only time I got Aunt Flo, when I’m on BCP). I have three acu sessions under my belt, all designed to stimulate blood movement and increase energy (which it really has, I feel great). Next week we are playing it by ear. When AF has left, I’ll start treatments again, including taking an herb (more about that next week). We’ll do a few more treatments, then stop. I’ll start charting my body temperature again to see if I’m ovulating, and we’ll go from there. With any luck, the acu and herb combo will do their thing, and I’ll be ovulating again in no time. If not, well, we’ll dig a little bit deeper to find out what’s going on. If I do ovulate and get a complete cycle, then we’ll continue acu during the second week of each cycle for about 4 months, maybe even less if things go well. After that, I’ll have the stamp of approval to get pregnant!
I’m sure that everyone has a few questions about acu. I’ll do my best to answer them.
Does it hurt? I’m not going to lie about this, depending on the pressure point, it can be a little painful. But it’s not the type of pain you are thinking of. You can feel the needle go in, but most of the time it’s just the sensation of the doctor tapping the needle into place. Sometimes the needle will need to be adjusted for the right angle, but that’s just a little tug here or there. The strangest sensation is the needles that go into the pressure points below my knees and in the webbed area of my thumbs. These can get a little uncomfortable, but just for a moment. The needle goes in, there’s a pause, and then this tightening that radiates out from the needle. In my knee, it travels down to my ankle then stops. In my hand, it travels to one or two other fingers. Then it’s gone. A brief moment, then back to normal.
Can you feel the needles? A little. It’s more of a tug on the skin if you move. But it does not feel like there is a needle in your arms. The needles that are used for acu are long, but super, super thin.
Does it hurt when the needles are removed. No. There is a slight tugging sensation, and then it’s out.
Do you bleed? Not usually. The one or two times that I’ve bleed was after the needles are removed. It was a tiny drop of blood, and that’s it. On occasion a bruise can develop, but this hasn’t happened to me so far.
How many needles do they use? in my treatments so far, there were 9. Two in each leg (ankle and below the knee), one in each hand (by the thumb), one on each wrist, and one blow the belly button (this one is for energy). But I’m sure that it varies with each individual’s needs.
What does it feel like? Amazing. I lie there for 15-20 minutes (I’m sure this varies by the treatment). My doctor will stay in the room for part of it and leaves for part. When he’s gone, I close my eyes and just relax, kind of like a mini spa. For the next few days after, I feel whole. I know that may sound funny, but it’s the only way that I can describe it. You know how you feel if you’ve ever ran for 6 miles, went mountain biking or another very strenuous activity? Empty and drained. I realized that’s how I was feeling most of the time. But after my acu sessions, I somehow feel whole again. Fuller than I did before.
Resources
If you’d like to dig a little bit deeper and learn more about acupuncture, how it works and it’s benefits, here are some web sites that can help. (I have no affiliates or relationships with these sites, I just thought that they may provide some useful information.)
Do you have a question that I didn’t cover? Let me know and I’ll do my best to answer it. And if I don’t have the answer, I’ll be sure to ask my acu doctor when I next see him.
Next week, I’ll be talking more about the herb I’ll be taking, my progress, and answering any questions.
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I’m seeing an accupuncturist now, although not for fertility. He’s also a massage therapist and does some other stuff, so I have yet to have a real accupuncture treatment. But I would still recommend seeking alternative care!
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amazing, donielle! i am sooo happy you are taking this route! i have been receiving acupuncture treatments for almost 2 years now for my endometriosis. like you, i started with frequent visits…and then i eventually tapered off to once or twice a month. i had been trying to get pregnant for 3 years with no luck–after 6 months of the acupuncture and a few diet tweaks, i conceived!! sadly it ended in a miscarriage; however, i DID get pregnant and i know the acupuncture was the part of my own holistic plan i’d needed to move to the next phase of good health and fertility!
my acupuncturist has also diagnosed me with a blood deficiency. if you or anyone else is curious, there are lots of other things you can do to increase your circulation in the reproductive area like castor oil packs, ginger packs, essential oil application and even yoga or do-it-yourself pelvic massages.
GREAT info you gave–i think clearing up the fear of the pins hurting is excellent. it’s not like a normal needle! i personally only feel the strong sensations when i’m very off balance and badly need the treatment, and many times it’s a strong shooting sensation along the energy meridian that’s blocked and only lasts a few seconds. i have ALWAYS felt energized and happy after my treatments, especially in the days to follow. i’d recommend acupuncture to ANYone, for most any problem!
YAY YOU!!! keep us updated! (sorry for the novel! LOL.)
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Allison Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@josey, I’d love to hear about the other ways to increase circulation. Do you have links (or a blog) to share?
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oops, not donielle–i meant allison!!
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I’ve heard great things about accupunture and infertility and the some reproductive endocrinologists are even starting to have accupuncturists full time in their practices. Thankfully I ended up not needing one, but I did a lot of research into it thinking I would go and just from what I’ve read and heard, I’m sold on it and would try it if I had the need. I know a cancer patient that goes for pain management and says it’s great, so it must be good on many levels.
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Sounds a lot like my journey. I didn’t have a mentrual cycle for 3 1/2 years with multiple doctors just trying to load me up with meds to fix the symptoms but not find the problem. I eventually went to a doctor who combines natural/holistic with modern medicine. She did genetic testing, stool, urine, 8 blood tests and an extensive family history. Long story short, I have a Gluten Sensitivity Gene and a problem with Candida overgrowth. 6 weeks after starting a probiotic and strict gluten free diet I began having a cycle again!! I didn’t remember what it felt like not to be fatigued all the time! Now I am working on getting metals out of my system and feel so much better!
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donielle Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 10:26 am
@brandy, I did a bunch of research last year on Gluten and we found my husband has a sensitivity to it.
So glad you’ve found something that works!
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Allison Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 4:36 pm
@brandy, That’s awesome! I’m always amazed at how a small change like going gluten free makes such a huge change in our bodies. We really are what we eat!
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That reminds me, I need to get back to accupuncture. Wonder if I can get someone to watch Little Man during that time.
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I just finished my 3rd treatment of acupuncture for fertility also…and I was diagnosed with the same low blood flow problem. I was told to add cinnamon to everyhting i could…eat red meat 2 times a week (hard for me) drink raspberry leaf tea to build a healthy uterous, drink cherry juice to build blood flow..I was also diagnosed with running cold…which I do. So those things above help that too on top of only eating warm veggies, soups preferably yellow soups like butternut squash. I too enjoy the treatments. I had a bunch more needles and she moved them for each of my three treatments. First in the web, 2nd on the wrist and third higher on my rist..she also did my head which I think is for stress. But I’m liking it alot. I can’t wait to read more about your journey. It’s amazing what htey can tell by your tongue!
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Allison Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@Jen@ After The Alter, I didn’t know that about cinnamon, one of my fave spices. I haven’t gotten into the diet part of treatment yet, there’s so much to learn!
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I have a needle phobia so I do Tui Na instead and it works the same as accupuncture. It is very relaxing too. It takes care of my menstral cramps and the lump that I sometimes get in my throat, but the doctor can’t find anything wrong after extensive testing.
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