Episode #61:My Experience With Acupuncture

 In 2003 I developed a terrible case of tendonitis known as 'tennis elbow'. I had heard of it but this was my first experience with it and it was very painful. I was in the business of meeting people and it hurt so bad when I had to shake hands. It had gotten so bad that I could not extend my arm when shaking hands so I had to stand close so as not to extend my arm and work hard not to grimace every single time.

I tried pain relievers and anti-inflammatories of all kinds without success. It was not going away or getting better so I bought one of those velcro forearm thingies that was supposed to help. It did help some, but it was uncomfortable to wear and did not stop the pain.

During that time I was experiencing chronic lower back pain and would see my chiropractor a couple of times a month. After a regular visit, I saw that he offered acupuncture as one of his services. After an adjustment I asked him if he thought that might help my problem.

I had known him for a long time and he was a friend as well as my chiropractor and I knew he would be honest with me. He said he wasn't sure but it has been helpful to several firemen that have developed this form of tendonitis that resulted from the way they have to hold those high pressure fire hoses. He said if I wanted to try it, he would give me a free session. I was desperate for some relief and thought I would take him up on his offer.

I scheduled an appointment for the next day and when I got into the treatment room he told me to remove my shirt. He inserted about four of these needles which are about as thin as a hair in my back around my upper trapezius muscles, one between a couple of knuckles on my hand and one in my hand next to my thumb.

These needles are so very thin that he has to twist them back and forth as he presses them into my skin to keep from bending them. I can feel them as he gets them to penetrate the skin, but just barely. As he was doing the first one in my back, he says 'oops' then grabs another one and then says it again and grabs another. After he successfully gets the first one in, I said to him, Paul let me get you some feedback, while you are drilling these needles in someone's back, refrain from saying 'oops' as that is a bit unnerving. He said, I never thought about that from your prospective and will be aware of that if it happens again. As he was twisting the needle with downward pressure the first two bent and were not useable.

After he got the 6-7 needles in place he says OK, there you go. I asked him what do we do now? He replies and said to me, just sit here for the next 20 minutes and I will be back to check on you. After the 20 minutes elapsed he returned to the treatment room and removed the needles, and said to let him know if I get any relief.

Honestly, I felt like I had just wasted his time and mine, but it did not cost me anything so I leave his office. A week comes and goes and I am not experiencing any relief. I called him back, reported my findings and scheduled another appointment. I felt a little guilty about this free treatment and told him so. I told him I appreciate the offer but I wanted to try one more session that I would pay for so at least he gets something out of the offer. He says OK, suite yourself.

The following day I arrive at his office and repeat the same series of events only this time he adds one additional needle to the treatment. At the conclusion of the appointment, I pay the fee that he charges and leave.

The next day I have no relief whatsoever and I chalk this acupuncture thing up to being a mystical false cure and a bit of a 'come on'. The following day I wake up as usual around 4:30 am and my arm does not hurt. It didn't feel some better or reduced level of pain, it was simply gone and did not hurt anymore. I am amazed that I am pain free for the first time in many months.

Later that day I called Carol Ann to tell her this great news. Her response was skeptical and that is all in my mind.. I said it can be in my mind if need be as I do not care, but what I knew was that my arm did not hurt anymore and I threw that arm thingy away and have never had a repeat of tennis elbow and that has been over 20 years ago. 

As skeptical as I was at the time I guess I have to say I believe in this ancient oriental treatment.