Acupuncture - Is it for everyone?

As a yoga teacher, I get questions about all sorts of alternative healing methods like acupuncture.  Does it really work?  Does it hurt?  I decided it was time to try it out and give a review to my friends and family.

First step - Finding the right practicer.  You can check the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's page for listed practicers or you can ask around.  Word of mouth is the best way to find somebody good.

I met Kara "Shamsa" Houck, licensed acupuncturist and owner of S.U.F.I Acupuncture in downtown Hagerstown, MD back in July.  I attended one of her free weekly heart opening meditations.  (This should be an entire blog itself!)  Shamsa and I connected immediately.  She studied the art of acupuncture at Tai Sophia and the University of Sufism and Spiritual Healing.

S.U.F.I. Acupuncture is different from most acupuncture practices.  It is a community style practice with a sliding scale.  In her practice you'll find one room for all patients.  Everyone is fully clothed and finds their special recliner.  The sliding scale refers to payment.  She lets the clients choose how much to pay varying from $15-$40.  For instance, clients visiting once a month may pay $40 while someone needing acupuncture 3x a week may pay $15 a visit.  It makes acupuncture affordable to everyone.

In comparison, a typical acupuncture consultation would be in a private office where you may or may not need to remove clothing articles and can cost upwards of $70 a visit.

On the day of my appointment, I googled acupuncture, and immediately saw a picture of the needles.  I began to grow anxious for my appointment.  Shamsa asked me to fill out medical forms to determine my treatment.  I think she asked more questions that my gynecologist asks me each year!

After she reviewed my information, she took my pulse on both wrists listening for five heartbeats that signify an element. In the five element theory, each of the five elements has a season and particular organs and senses associated with it, such as taste, color, sound. The wood element, for example, is associated with spring, the liver, and the gall bladder.   Similarly, the fire element is associated with early summer, the heart, and small intestines; the earth element corresponds to late summer, the stomach and spleen; metal is associated with autumn, the lungs and large intestine; and water is associated with winter, the kidneys and bladder.  She deduced I had strong beats from fire and metal which explained why I've always had breathing difficulties (asthma).

We decided to tackle my nasal congestion on my first visit.  She led me to the room where a gentleman was already relaxing with his eyes shut.  She brought the needles over and showed them to me before placing any in my body.  They are as thick as a strand of hair (not thick at all!).  She placed the first needle in my left wrist.  It pinched only for a second but then the feeling disappeared.  She proceeded to add a needle in the tops of both feet and the shin of my right leg.  She added two needs to my left wrist.  Again, mild pinching, and no feeling after.  Shamsa then placed a needle between my eyes that gave a more prominent sting.  The last two on either side of my nostrils were the most painful bringing tears to my eyes.  Again, the needles were but a quick sting and then felt as if they disappeared.

Shamsa told me to relax my hands in any way that I chose and close my eyes for the next 45 minutes.  For those of you that know me, I am a petite person and I must have chosen the largest (widest) recliner because it was uncomfortable for me to balance my arms on the arm rest.  I would suggest bringing a blanket next time to prop under my arms.

Jealous of the gentleman gently snoring, I spent the whole 45 minutes awake with my eyes shut. I tried to turn it into a meditation, but lacked focus.  Maybe because it was my first time I could not relax.  I did notice warm sensations at some of the needle sites.  Two other patients entered the room, but I did not hear them or Shamsa.

When she gently tapped me to indicate my session was over, I felt as if she had awaken me from a deep sleep.  How is that possible when I felt like I was fighting to relax?  Acupuncture?  I did notice my nose seemed clearer and breathing was easier.  But most of all, I felt a total relaxation across my entire body.

Does acupuncture work?  I'm on the side that says yes over multiple sessions.  For as little as $15, you can give it a shot!

Have you ever tried acupuncture?  How was your experience?

Summer Love

Give yourself permission to relax, recharge and love yourself.  

Ahh, summertime!  It brings up visions of children running through sprinklers, drinking frozen lemonade on a white, sandy beach, and catching fireflies in mason jars before being called to bed.   Oh, remember the days when your only responsibility was to make sure your teeth were brushed before heading outside?  Yes, we've grown up, and we now have adult jobs and adult responsibilites.  But does that mean we can't ever relive a scrumptous lazy summer day from our youth?

Apparently, Americans do not feel we can allow ourselves to take a break.  We work hard every day even into the wee hours of the night.  The average paid vacation time is two weeks, but most folks don't even take the days they are given.  Have we forgotten how to relax?  Or do we feel guilty spending an entire day of essentially doing nothing?

As we enter into August, the last month of summer before school starts and Expedia summer deals end, give yourself permission to relax.  If you cannot get away, spend a few hours at the City Park, read that best-selling novel that has been sitting on your coffee table, or purchase a special pampering service like a massage just for you.  Allowing yourself to relax recharges and rejunvenates your body.  Love yourself.  The best gift you can give your family is a healthy you!  Start today and drip with love rather than sweat this summer!