Pain Relief in 2-3 treatments
I'm active, So, I know that pain can be a real drag. This winter, I have been playing ultimate frisbee at The Pitch in Warren with a great group of midcoast Maine athletes. As fun as it is to run around and jump like its summer even when its snowy and cold outside... playing on artificial turf has its drawbacks. Mainly its the fact that the thin layer of rubberized "grass" is sitting on top of concrete. Which means that jumping up to catch long passes in traffic and landing repeatedly on cleats can be a bit rough on the legs...especially ones that are getting older like mine.
My ankles and heels and calves have been pretty creaky for a few weeks. A new pair of turf shoes for Christmas helped some and so did taking some time off to rest. But there was one spot on my left heel that was the definition of stubborn pain. Notice I said, "WAS."
Like many of my patients, I'm averse to needles in my feet. Sort of like stepping on a Lego, intentionally putting a sharp object into the sole of my foot is generally something I avoid. But like Androcles (the guy pictured above who took the thorn out of the lion's paw and not only lived to tell the tale, but thrived because of it) in reverse, there are benefits to having the courage to put a small needle into a painful location.
So, after much consideration and many false starts since the pain began, I finally gathered up all my gumption yesterday. Palpating with my fingers until I found the exact spot where the pain was the worst, I then carefully inserted a needle through the callous and into the tender flesh of my heel.
Much like my own very first experience with acupuncture, I didn't feel the initial insertion. As it went in deeper though, there was a bit of a shock for all of 1 second, then it was over.
To make sure the blood flow was good and that the original trauma would heal quickly, I burned some moxa on it. The heat felt good. The pain of the needle in one of the most sensitive parts of the body didn't even last the length of the deep breath I took to help manage it.
Today? No pain.
If only I had had the guts to do this earlier.
Sound familiar?
If you have been dealing with stubborn pain, you owe it to yourself to get over your fear of needles...or your disbelief that acupuncture could possibly help...or your story that you're too busy...or whatever it is that keeps you from making an appointment.
Most people get some relief from their acute pain after just 2 or 3 of my treatments. Chronic pain may take longer, but still responds well.
Shouldn't you give acupuncture a try?
