[splitimage]

My family Dr. approved me to start getting acupuncture, yesterday. The hospital clinic where I'll be having it done, wanted the medical approval because I have a problem with dizziness and tend towards low blood pressure.

The treatment is for addictions, and is supposed to help with cravings and relaxation. They put 5 needles in each ear.

I can't wait to try it.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

i wish you the best of results with this, Split~
i used acupuncture to stop smoking (once for 3 yrs, and once for ever), and i responded very well to it. if it can stop that addiction, i don't know what is stronger~! it also helped with my other OCD problems, and anxiety (panic attacks). i had a very good acu-doc, which (sadly) not all are created equal. if you don't get the response you are looking for, consider if you can go to another practitioner. i had the full body needles for 7 days, and then opted to continue for another 25 weekly treatments, because i was prospering so well~

do let us know how it does for you ~~!

[splitimage]

Thanks Gus,

It's good to know you had good results. I didn't have time to try it today, because I was meeting with my new therapist, so I'll try it next week - probably on Tues.

I did however drop the letter from my GP off with the clinic.

I don't really have many other options if I don't like the practitioners at this clinic. They're publicly funded as a study site, so it's not costing me anything.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

that's how i got my first 7 treatments, Split,, a state grant to stop smoking... then i made a deal with the acu-doc to clean his office in exchange for treatments,, best deal i've made in a long time~ that was about 13 yrs ago, and the OCD's are still gone, no smoking, but relapsed on the agoraphobia.... traumas, PTSD, CPTSD, broken will.... holding the good thought for you ~!

[splitimage]

Went for my first treatment today and it was great. It totally relaxed me - took all the tension I normally carry in my neck and shoulders and got rid of it. I sat there meditating for just over an hour and it felt like the time flew by. I'm probably going to go back on Wed. or Thurs.

And the best part is, it didn't start me on a massive crying jag like happened the last time I had it done.

splitimage

[splitimage]

Thought I'd post an update. I've been going for the acupuncture regularly and it is really helping with my cravings. They've almost been eliminated. Now when I think about drinking it's in a more "can take it or leave it" way, which is a huge shift for me. I'm definitely going to keep going.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

Congrats, and well done, Split~!

[ShehrozQasim]

Really nice piece of post, I like to read that.

[yellow_fleurs]

Good luck! I haven't tried for addiction, but tried acupuncture for pain and in the process they helped me with my moods and hormones, too. I was surprised how well it worked. I would say that I have seen three people, and had great success with 2 but not the third, so don't be afraid to try someone else if it doesn't help. If it's a specific treatment it probably won't matter as much, but for me it had to be tailored to multiple issues so I think it mattered what points they chose to put the needles.

[splitimage]

Thanks SherozQuasim and Yellow Fleurs,

Yellow Fleurs, I'm glad it worked well for you, for multiple issues. I must admit I still don't entirely understand how it works, but it's working for me, so I'm going with it.

I missed going for it on Fri., as I didn't have time, and I noticed my cravings were slightly higher this weekend than they have been lately, so I definitely think that the acupuncture works for me. I'll go in for another session on Tues.

[*Laurie*]

Some years ago I was in a real mess because I had recurring kidney infections. Miserably painful, plus had to pee constantly. Western medicine didn't know what to do to help my situation. A friend recommended acupuncture, which I reluctantly tried. After about 6 weeks the kidney infections stopped, I continued acupuncture for a while. Never had another kidney infection. I was amazed. Now my niece is an acupuncturist in San Francisco and WOW, do they have to have an intensive education and training.

[splitimage]

*Laurie*
That's great that you had good success with it for your kidney infections. After my experience with it for addiction, I'd definitely be open to trying it for other conditions.

I went for a session yesterday and it was so nice. Within 5 minutes of the needles being put in my ears the tension was gone from my neck and shoulders. And it really is killing my desire to drink.

Will probably go for another session on Thurs.

splitimage

[splitimage]

Thanks for the ongoing encouragement Gus*, I really do appreciate it.

Going back for another treatment tomorrow.

[Gus1234U]

how it works is: our body is made up of many components; one of those is energy, which travels along the nerve system, mostly. the metal needles redirect and open up that energy flow, which in turn stimulates or reduces the flow of all other systems.

perhaps that sounds like gibberish, but when we understand the power of energy to affect the material world (our bodies), we can help the healer to do our job of affecting our health in a beneficial way~!

[splitimage]

Thanks for the info Gus*


I vaguely realized that acupuncture affected the flow of energy. It just still surprises me, how needles placed in one point can have such an intense effect.


I wish that the acupuncture for addiction was more readily available.

[ShehrozQasim]

That's really too good dear, as you share your activities, I'll definitely try to follow

[splitimage]

Thanks SherozQuizam,

I'm continuing to find it beneficial.

I missed going last week, because of conflicting medical appointments and being slightly sick, and I noticed a difference. I had more cravings although not as intense as in the past, and my neck and shoulders were pretty tense.

Back to it this week.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

i'm so glad you have found a skilled practitioner, SplitImage, and that you have access to continued treatments~! it is so much better when there is help for the cravings... i found when i stopped smoking that the cravings disappeared~! wishing you the same good results~

[splitimage]

Thanks Gus*,

Yeah, I'm hugely lucky. This clinic is the only place you can get free acupuncture in the city. The plus side is, once you've registered with them, you can go as often during the week as you want. I didn't have time after CBT this morning to go all the way downtown, but I'll go in tomorrow after IOP before seeing my T. And the practitioners are both nice, and they play really relaxing music in the treatment room, where you sit, after having the needles inserted.

For in between sessions, they'll put seeds in your ears, and if you're feeling stressed or a craving you're supposed to squeeze the seeds into your ear. It feels weird at first, but it really does work.

splitimage

[splitimage]

I'm finally going in for another session today. And boy do I need it. I've been an emotional mess all week, and relapsed this weekend. I'll go between seeing my T, and my drop in group.

Can't wait.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

best wishes, Split~

[splitimage]

Thank Gus*

Lovely image.

Well acupuncture yesterday was mixed.


It's normally a really nice environment, low lights and soothing music. But then this one woman came in with a 2 week old baby. She put the baby in the room where the techs are, but it immediately started screaming. Trust me a screaming baby is not conducive to relaxation. I didn't want to complain, because I felt bad for the mother, but it was really annoying. After about half an hour another woman complained and they made mom and baby leave.

Then I only had another 15 min., before I had to leave to go to another group, and I was too stressed to relax.

But it did totally remove my cravings, which was awesome. I even went out with a friend for Italian, which would normally make me want to drink, and didn't have the slightest urge.

I had them put the seeds in my ears, to help with cravings today, and I'm going to go back for another acupuncture session tomorrow.

splitimage

[Gus1234U]

i'm so glad you have access to good care, Split~

[splitimage]

Thanks Gus* I really am lucky to have the high level of good care that I receive. I've found that there are tons of resources and help available to people, once you've figured out how to navigate the system and advocate for yourself.

Going in for another acupuncture session this afternoon and I'm really looking forward to it.

[splitimage]

I'm doing ok on the alcohol cravings front, so I'd stopped going for acupuncture regularly. But I'm starting a clonazepman taper this week, and am hopeful that the acupuncture will help me manage that withdrawal as well.
splitimage