I had my first acupuncture treatment this week. Yes, I willingly had needles stuck into me for no particular reason. If you’ve never had an acupuncture treatment done before and you’re wondering if it hurts, I had the same question. I’ll describe my treatment and hopefully it will answer some of your questions and help to alleviate some of your fears.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that uses needles to help the flow of “Chi” (life force energy) in the body. This energy flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians. Sometimes the “Chi” becomes blocked or unbalanced due to stress, physical trauma, poor diet, addictions, or other causes. When this happens, it causes illness in the body.
Acupuncture is a way to unblock the chi and help it flow back into balance. If you’re seeking treatment for a medical condition, the acupuncturist will assess your condition and determine where the imbalance may be and then select a treatment strategy.
Acupuncture needles are inserted in the skin at specific points along the meridians. This helps to unblock the chi, restore harmony, and heal the body. The depth of the needles varies depending on the area of the body it is inserted. The needles are sterile and are thrown away after one use.
Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, and it is the oldest continuously practiced system of medicine in the world.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is best known as a treatment for pain, but it may also be used to improve health in other areas such as:
- Mental-emotional imbalances, including stress and anxiety.
- Preventive Care – Helps boost immunity
- Respiratory diseases, including asthma and allergies
- Digestive orders
- Helps alleviate pain, including arthritis, headaches, etc.
- Neurological
- Dermatological
- Helping to overcome drug addictions
- Women’s Health Issues, including menstrual issues, infertility, and menopause.
My Experience with Acupuncture
This week, my boss booked an acupuncture “happy hour” for our weekly team meeting. I had never had acupuncture before, but I had heard of the many benefits and I’m fascinated with Chinese medicine. I was looking forward to giving acupuncture a try.
I was the first one of my team to arrive. I walked into the building, excited for this session, but not knowing what to expect. As I opened the door, the pleasant fragrance of essentials oils filled the room and immediately calmed me. The acupuncturist greeted me and began explaining some of her background and the benefits of acupuncture. In the background, soothing nature sounds played quietly on a CD to create an even more relaxing atmosphere. The walls were filled with Chinese artwork, fans, and calming pieces of art.
Once the rest of my team arrived, the acupuncturist explained a little bit about acupuncture and its benefits, and then she offered us a drink of goji berry juice mixed with other berry juices and edible essential oils which she diluted in seltzer water. She claimed it was extremely high in antioxidants and would help to boost our immunity. She warned us of the strong taste. We each cautiously took a sip. The taste was fruity and not overly strong, and I thought it was refreshing, so I drank it down. After the drink, she took 2 of my coworkers into the room, while my boss and I waited quietly in the waiting room until it was our turn.
When my coworkers came out of the room about 30 minutes later, they were so deeply relaxed. I was looking forward to a nice, relaxing session as well.
It was my turn to go in. I walked into the room. Two acupuncture tables were set up with blankets and pillows on top. I went to the farthest table and sat on the edge of it. My boss came in and took her place on the remaining table. The same soothing music that was playing in the waiting room was also playing in this room. The smell of essential oils filled the room as well.
The acupuncturist came into the room and explained exactly what she was going to do since neither of us had experienced an acupuncture treatment before. She opened a new package of needles and showed them to us – fine as a hair – that is why they do not hurt when inserted. She explained we might feel a slight pinch or pressure when it is first inserted.
I went first. She began by gently rubbing Bergamot essential oil to my wrists, ears, forehead, ankles, and feet. Then she inserted the needles in those same spots. It didn’t hurt. As she had explained would happen, I felt a little pinch in some areas when she first inserted the needle, but in others I didn’t feel it at all. Once the needles were in, I didn’t even know they were there. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and relaxed as she moved on to my coworker.
When she was done with my coworker, she turned off the light and left the room.
It was a very relaxing experience other than the fact that my feet were cold. She forgot to turn on the heat lamp before she left the room. My focus kept turning to my feet, so it wasn’t as relaxing an experience as it could have been.
She returned about 20 minutes later, removed the needles, and rubbed more essential oil on my ears. I sat up, slowly put my shoes and socks back on, and joined my co-workers in the waiting room. I felt relaxed.
Would I do it again? Under the same circumstances, yes. Or if I had a medical condition, yes.
However, I probably would not pay for a session just for relaxation. In all honesty, I experienced a much deeper level of relaxation during a reiki treatment. Maybe it was because my feet were cold, or maybe because I was not the only one in the room. Don’t get me wrong. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience acupuncture. It was calming. It was painless. It was relaxing.
I think acupuncture can be very useful for so many conditions, and the benefits are many. I would definitely recommend giving acupuncture a try if you have a medical condition. Or, if you experience pain, I would recommend giving acupuncture a try as an alternative to pain medications. I am excited that acupuncture is becoming more widely available, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience it! I would certainly recommend giving it a try!
