Keith & Larry,
You had both asked me to share my experience on your blog. I used Keith's God Antenna post as my starting point, but I ended up writing a lot as I started to put things on paper. I am not sure if it is too long for a blog, or if you want to take excerpts, or you'd like me to elaborate in one area.
Check it out, let me know what you think (use as needed):
You had both asked me to share my experience on your blog. I used Keith's God Antenna post as my starting point, but I ended up writing a lot as I started to put things on paper. I am not sure if it is too long for a blog, or if you want to take excerpts, or you'd like me to elaborate in one area.
Check it out, let me know what you think (use as needed):
My experience with acupuncture has been one of total amazement. I went to Tucson Community Acupuncture because I knew I needed a shift in my life. I remember the first day I went and told the Acupuncturist, “I’m just really in a funk”. He looked into my eyes and said, “I can help with that”.
That alone took a huge weight off my shoulders. It seems that every Spring as the wind kicks up in the Sonoran Desert, and the allergens increase, I get a little (or a lot) off balance. I have seen medical doctors to help with my symptoms, but frankly medical doctors are not trained to deal with a “funk”. It’s like going to the grocery store and asking the produce manager his/her opinion on the best cut of meat. I do not blame medical doctors for not having the answers. I truly view my health as my responsibility, medical doctors are one item I have in my keep-myself-healthy tool box; thank goodness I found that community acupuncture is another tool in the tool box.
On April 20, 2009 I realized my work, relationships, and my perspective on life were getting increasingly more negative. I knew I was not depressed; I was just grumpy. I made a commitment to myself to get out of the funk. I set goals around proper nutrition and meal planning, exercise, sleep, yoga, and doing things that brought me joy. And that same day, I made my first appointment at Tucson Community Acupuncture. At that time I did not know that acupuncture would become the cornerstone of my process of moving out of the funk.
My first acupuncture session was 2 days later. When I entered the acupuncture center for the first time, my wound up negative energy immediately dispersed. The overwhelming sense I had was of being loved and taken care of. Looking back, that feels strange to say because I had never met any of the people there before, but at the time, it felt like exactly what I needed. I remember discussing my symptoms with the Acupuncturist and him recommending I come 2 times per week. I asked if it was OK if I came more frequently (because I just wanted to be in that calm space).
I noticed immediate change. The morning after my first session I had a more positive outlook on life. At first, the affects lasted about a day, but with more treatments, the affects lasted longer each time. Over time, my attitude became more lighthearted. I noticed myself laughing more, and having more motivation in my other goal areas. I was able to do more moderate/vigorous exercise, for which previously I did not have the energy. I became more open to taking risks such as singing karaoke in a crowd (something I vowed never to do), which led to more fun and connection with other people. With each session, my life continued to shift in a positive direction.
As I made progress on my initial “funk”, I started to ask the acupuncturists to work on other areas that I had dealt with physical pain for years (such as neck, back, and hip). As pain in these areas started to clear, I realized how much stress, pain, and inflammation I had been holding for so long. It made me wonder how many other people are carrying around pain everyday and not really ever recognizing it, unaware that a pain free life is within reach.
As I stated in the beginning, I am totally amazed by acupuncture, but it isn’t for any of the reasons outlined above. While acupuncture has shifted my attitude, perspective, and pain level, these were expected outcomes of my treatment. These were the reasons I went to acupuncture. I am amazed by acupuncture because of all the positive changes that have happened that I didn’t intend.
Since starting acupuncture, my relationships with my fiancé, co-workers, and family have improved. My fiancé and I have stopped bickering and reconnected to the things we love about each other. We have more open, loving communication, and we are more joyful when we are together. I really believe that just by sharing my acupuncture experience, my co-workers are changing. They have never experienced acupuncture personally, but I notice them being more open to new opportunities, different perspectives, and being generally more content and engaged at work. They have even reported positive changes in their personal lives with people I have never met. My family seems to be shifting as well. Even though my parents, siblings, and I live all over the US, I believe that by sharing my experience of acupuncture with them, they are becoming more open to the “flow” of life rather than resisting what is inevitable.
While I sometimes like to think I am the center of everyone’s life, I know I am not. It seems, though, that somehow my experience with acupuncture is extending out to those people in my immediate circle and their immediate circles, and beyond. I have witnessed lives being improved over the course of the 5 weeks l have been receiving acupuncture treatments.
I likely cannot scientifically prove that it was the acupuncture that changed my life and the lives of others. But beyond scientific proof, there is knowing. I have a sense of knowing that acupuncture has caused this shift in me, my friends, and family. And so is acupuncture. I may not be able to explain how, or when, or why it’s working, but for all practical reasons, I just need to know that it is, and that’s good enough for me.
Sarah Zender LAc
Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com
No comments:
Post a Comment