After years of thinking about it, I gave acupuncture a try. I found a highly recommended doctor in my little town and made an appointment. My 10-year-old was completely mind blown that I would voluntarily have needles stuck in my skin.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine that uses very small needles to stimulate different points within the body to balance Qi (pronounced Chee) or energy. When energy is blocked, pain or sickness can occur. Acupuncture releases the blockage and helps the body heal naturally. Qi flows through the body in meridians. It was explained to me like water flowing through a river. Certain parts of the river may be more likely to collect or pool, so the water doesn’t flow as well. Acupuncture clears these areas so the energy flow is not blocked. Acupuncture is an ancient practice – dating back thousands and thousands of years. Anything that has been around that long has a good enough rep for me!
My first 4 visits
The first appointment was a holistic evaluation -basically an in-depth consultation. The doctor asked me A LOT of questions, some of which surprised me. I was expecting physical questions but instead they were mostly emotional and relational. After talking for 30 minutes, he felt my pulse on my wrists. He did this for about 20 minutes, making notes as he felt different points. (Without a previous Ayurveda experience, I probably would have been freaked out by this.) He also had me stick out my tongue and made some notes about the appearance. After all of this, he explained a little bit about acupuncture and told me my primary energy is fire. This lines up with my Pitta dosha in Ayurveda. I believe he said my secondary energy was water, but it might have been air. Sometimes I focus so hard on what the doctor is saying that I don’t listen if that makes any sense.
A week later I went for my first treatment. After getting my weight and blood pressure the doctor came in to talk with me about anything new going on in my life since my last appointment. After a quick conversation, he explained the first treatment like this – think of your mind like a circle. Various emotions are constantly bouncing around the circle, sort of like a ping-pong ball. This particular treatment helps to slow down those bouncing emotions. So far I liked what I was hearing. I have my fair share of ping-pong balls in my circle.
I undressed from the waist up, put on a gown, and laid face down on the table. For this treatment, all the needles went in my back along-side my spine, but he said each treatment will be different. A total of 12 needles were inserted. He gave me a warning before he poked, starting at the top and working his way down one side, then starting back at the top on the other side. The first few near the top were more noticeable than the ones near the bottom. There were a few that I couldn’t feel at all! At no time was it painful – just a quick poke and that was it.
I was doing great until half way down the right side of my back. I started to feel anxiety creep in & I got hot. I was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack, but thankfully that only lasted about 30 seconds and then I was fine.
Once they were all in I laid face down for about 30 minutes, with the nurse or doctor checking on me every 10 minutes, waiting for the redness around the needles to disappear. I felt very relaxed. One of the needles toward the top was noticeable, but otherwise I honestly forgot I had 12 needles sticking out of my back. Removing them was painless also.
When I got up, I felt like I had just woke up from a VERY long nap. I had a little bit of a headache which got worse as the day went on (I had not eaten anything yet) My eyes were having a hard time focusing. Super weird. I think everyone at the checkout desk might have been looking at me funny. Despite the weird sleepy/drunk feeling, I did feel calm. He suggested I sit in my car for a couple of minutes before I start driving to make sure I feel ok, then pay attention to how I feel the next few days. He said I would notice a very subtle difference, not a thunderbolt. Over the next few hours I felt very calm and a little tired. I took some Motrin to help with the headache and ate some lunch.
Two weeks later I went for my second visit, which was different from the first. He felt my pulse and said it was very irregular and jagged. This particular treatment would make it nice and smooth. I would notice myself being less reactive to things that happen around me. If something happened that bother me, I would recognize and let it go as opposed to over-reacting. This treatment involved 3 needles in each wrist. 2 went at the base of my hand on each side and one in the middle underneath my forearm. After he put the needles in, he twisted each one a little bit to grab the Qi (pronounced CHEE – another name for Energy) Weird. Totally weird sensation but it only lasted a few seconds. Once that was done I couldn’t feel a thing and I laid and relaxed for 15 minutes. I wanted desperately to take a picture of this. But it’s hard to hold your phone and take a selfie when you have needles sticking out of your wrists. So I didn’t. L After this treatment I felt like I had taken a nap, but didn’t have the weird eye focus problem. No headache. Felt great. We happened to be leaving for a road trip later that day. I packed a pillow in the truck and the next thing I knew – 45 minute had passed! It is common to be tired after acupuncture. From what I’ve read, the more tired you are afterward, the more your body needed the treatment? I have no idea where I read that but it was on the internet so it must be true… The benefit of this treatment lasted much longer & was much more noticeable than the first one. Expect for one slight freak out (which I’m totally blaming on the heat and a cranky 5-year-old) I felt calm, less reactive, and overall happier. My kids even made a comment about my good mood and it lasted for days.
My third visit was similar to the second. It was meant to smooth out my pulse even more. He put a needle near each collarbone (LU 1 Central Treasury point) and again in my wrists, twisting after each one was inserted. He asked me to pay special attention to my reactions over the next few weeks. The Central Treasury is a lung meridian point. This can be used to treat breathing problems and help with blocked emotions and depression. Compared to my second treatment, this one seemed less effective. I wasn’t beaming rays of sunshine like I was last time. I would describe the next week as neutral – not super happy and not super sad.
My takeaways
*It’s painless and relaxing, despite having needles sticking out of my body (they are very thin)
*I find it fascinating to learn about the body’s energy, but it’s not for everyone. Have an open mind.
*Find a doc you like. Mine is a “regular’ doctor that incorporates alternative options which makes me feel like I’m getting the whole package. He is very thorough and takes his time which can be hard to find these days!
*Rest afterwards (I find I am always tired after my appointment) Maybe it’s a coincidence but my most effective visit so far was the appointment that I followed up with a long nap!
*Keep notes on how you feel after your appointments so you are better prepared for the next visit because they will want to know how you have been since your last visit.
I’m sure each experience will vary based on the practitioner, but this how it went for me and I am excited to see how I respond to the next three treatments. I will update in a later post!
Tag: health
What’s your Dosha?
In Ayurveda, there are 3 main doshas: Pitta (fire and water) Vata (air and space) and Kapha (earth and water). Doshas are energies that govern your body. When these doshas are in balance, you will feel healthy and great. When they are out of balance, you will experience symptoms and problems. Each person is made up of all 3 doshas, but one or two will be dominate. There are characteristics and qualities for each dosha.
VATA
Vata governs the nervous system and is responsible for movement: Blood flow, circulation, respiration, etc…
Qualities of Vata:
- Cold
- Irregular
- Moving
- Rough
- Dry
- Light
- Changeable
- Quick
People with vata as a primary dosha tend to be on the go since movement and change are part of their nature. They have creative and energetic minds, thin, light, and agile body types with dry skin and hair, cold hands and feet, and sensitive digestion. Vata types are quick to anger yet quick to forgive. When vata is out of balance, anxiety, fear, insomnia, racing mind, bloating, gas, difficulty tolerating cold temperatures or loud noises, and weight loss are common symptoms. I seriously experience every single one of these when I’m out of balance – well, except weight loss of course, the one symptom I wouldn’t mind.
To keep vata in balance: choose things with the opposite qualities as listed above – things that are warming, stable, and consistent. Food should be oily, warming, and heavy. Vata pacifying foods are sweet, sour, and salty. Minimize astringent foods such as raw vegetables when vata is excessive. Don’t skip meals, stick to a routine, go to bed earlier, give yourself a daily massage, and do yoga and meditate when possible. Ginger tea is a good choice, especially during cooler weather.
PITTA
Pitta is responsible for transformation in the body: metabolism, digestion, appetite, etc…
Qualities of Pitta:
- Hot
- Sharp
- Oily
- Intense
- Liquid
Pitta doshas are typically medium, strong build with assertive, focused, organized, and passionate personalities. Everyone hates them because they can eat anything thanks to their excellent digestion. Ha. They have a lot of energy and can be good decision makers due to their sharp-witted, direct personality.
When pitta is out of balance, frustration & anger, rash, inflammation, nausea, uncomfortable feeling of heat in the body, impatience, and red or inflamed eyes are common symptoms. Avoid spicy foods and eat more veggies to keep pitta in balance.
KAPHA
Kapha governs the immune system and growth in the body: Strength, stability, etc…
Qualities of Kapha:
- Heavy
- Slow
- Solid
- Cold
Kapha doshas have strong build and are calm by nature. They have thick hair and sleep soundly.
When kapha is out of balance, symptoms include envy and insecurity, stubbornness, weight gain, and fluid retention. Avoid nuts, rice, and wheat when kapha is excessive.
What’s Your Dosha?
Before we go any further, what dosha are you? Take this quiz to find out!
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/prakriti-quiz/
Ok, so…what is your primary dosha? Mine is pitta/vata. My husband is kapha. My kids are pitta/vata.
I was skeptical at first, but the more I heard, read, and learned, the more I recognized when I was out of balance. For me, I know my pitta is out of control when I get severe shoulder and neck tension and burning eyes. These almost always go together for me. Heat behind my eyes usually leads to a headache. This is the worst right before I start my period. I know my vata is out of whack when I get an upset stomach, non-existent digestion, and super gassy. Sorry, too much? I also worry. A LOT. ABOUT EVERYTHING!
My Ayurveda Toolbox
Since I am primarily pitta/vata, those are 2 I know the most about. Here is what’s in my toolbox:
-Coconut oil (Since I’m pitta Sunflower oil would be better, but I just don’t like it as well. The wrong oil is better than no oil in my opinion) Costco has great deals on Kirkland brand Coconut oil. It’s a staple item in my bathroom. Instead of lotion I use coconut oil, especially right before bed, head to toe.
–Resperate
–Super Nasya nose oil. This has been life changing for my sinus issues. 2 drops in each nostril before bed does the trick! Way less drying and irritating than nasal spray!
-Hibiscus Tea (Pitta tea) When my eyes burn (heat behind my eyes) and shoulder tension creeps in, I know it’s time for my Pitta tea. My friends think I’m crazy when I talk about my pitta heat, but I have learned to recognize this early on and this tea really helps! I brew Tazo Passion tea and mix with Pomegranate juice, aloe vera gel, and lime juice. I keep a batch in the fridge so it’s on hand and ready. During warm weather I drink a glass every day.
-Herbs. I have a handful of herbs I use to stay in balance. I get most of my herbs from Banyan Botanicals or Mapi.com. Shop with caution. Peeking around on these sites will make you want to order about 500 different things because they all sound like just what you need! Consult a professional for some guidance. I have found some thing were unknowingly heating so they made my pitta worse. Tranquil Mind 
Even though I am not living 100% Ayurveda, I am a believer in dosha balance. In the last 5 years I have learned to recognize an imbalance and what to do about it. Some things are little over the top in my opinion (for example: yogurt and yeast infections) You don’t want to know. Trust me! But many of the things I have learned are so simple and so practical. Get yourself in balance & you will feel amazing!
The Journey Begins
My journey to ‘be wholly’ didn’t happen over night. I’m actually still a work in progress. But I’ve finally come to the realization that true health happens when we take into consideration all moving parts. That belief has developed over the years, along with my love for writing, which has led me to where I am now. This is how I got here…
Rewind to the 80’s. Where everything was neon and life as a kid was way different than it is now. Sigh. We played outside, out of sight from our parents for hours on end. My mom actually had this really embarrassing bell that she rang when it was time to come home. You could hear it from anywhere in our neighborhood. My kids would be mortified. Anyhow, we had a Nintendo that I played on my black and white basement TV. My grandma would quickly “die” during her turn so I could play again. We had dinner at home together on Sundays. We didn’t fill every spare second with something.
Ah the good ole days!
I started exercising at a young age. I remember using my mom’s aerobic step and working out to VHS tapes. Physical fitness was always top on my list. I enjoyed exercising, but mental and spiritual health were not as important. Honestly, they weren’t even really on my radar until my 20’s. Growing up we went to church, but I figured that was enough to feed the spiritual side of me. Time ticked on and physically I managed. Aside from my destructive teen years of doing stupid things ignorant teens do, I had taken pretty good care of myself physically. But the lack of mental care was catching up with me and anxiety had reared its very ugly head. I found some relief with a low dose of Xanax as needed. At the time it felt like the right solution. In retrospect, it was more of a band-aid.
Fast forward to 2004…a lot less neon…thank God because this is the year I got married. It wasn’t long before the babies started showing up. Three to be exact. 2005. 2007. 2012.
Insert hormonal tidal wave. Whoa.
The tidal wave wasn’t working for me. After trying a few different things, I decided to see a therapist. I thought maybe this could help me manage my moods a little better, but in reality, my PMS seemed to be the biggest trigger. My doctor’s solution was a bigger band-aid. Prozac. The long list of side effects was a bit intimidating, especially since I historically get the weird ones. The discussion was pretty short and sweet. He suggested Prozac because it’s hard to test for hormone levels because they fluctuate so frequently. Oh, and exercise 3 times a week. Dude! I already do that!
I found this baffling. This is the 21st Century! How is this possible?! No blood test to check hormones? This can’t be! This led me to find an alternative. There had to be some way to treat the problem rather than the symptom. My therapist gave me the name of someone she had seen herself for various issues. A holistic person that uses “weird techniques” to help her feel better. Um. Ok. Weird. Right up my alley!
This was my entrance into the Holistic world. I started seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner. I had no clue what that was and honestly didn’t care. I just wanted help! Turns out Ayurveda has Indian roots. It’s a whole body healing system that is over 3,000 years old. Ayurveda believes the mind, body, and spirit need to balanced to achieve overall wellness. She used a combination of herbs, oils, and other natural remedies to treat my issues. 5 years later, I have noticed a drastic improvement in my overall well-being. Oddly enough, this approach has fixed things I didn’t even know needed fixed…
- My stress and anxiety is better maintained. Notice I said “maintained.” Stress will never go away. There will always be stress in our lives but we can learn to manage it! I still take an herbal blend to help with my anxiety as needed. I love this non habit-forming natural option! Years ago I would experience so much tension that my upper back and shoulders would hurt. This tension would always lead to a headache. It was a vicious cycle. Today that tension is gone! On days where I get super stressed or anxious, I can feel it creep in, but now I have the tools I need to prevent it from getting worse.
- My energy levels are better, partly a result of drinking more water and getting better sleep. So basic, yet so helpful!
- My sinus issues are drastically better. I went in knowing this was an issue I wanted fixed. I started using a nose oil. I can’t begin to tell you how life changing this has been for me. The year prior to my first visit I took an antibiotic 9 times in one year! A CT Scan had confirmed I had chronic sinusitis. Duh. I started the nose oil and the following year I had 2 sinus infections. I now average about one a year – huge improvement for me! No more over drying nasal sprays that didn’t work!
- My mood has improved! While I still struggle with some PMS, my overall mood is much better! I am able to find the good in most situations and am WAY more grateful for everyday things!
- I am eating better, which in turn has improved my digestion. Less sugar. More whole foods. Less caffeine (I will NEVER give up Iced tea) Just not happening! I still have ‘those days’ where I eat ice cream for dinner or fast food for lunch, but I usually feel like crap afterward!
Ayurveda has been very helpful for me, but I do not limit myself. I recently saw a medical doctor that uses a lot of alternative options such as accupuncture in conjunction with his medical practice. How awesome is that? I see a Chiropractor who keeps me straight (no pun intended) I’ve tried some homeopathic options. I diffuse essential oils. I see Bessie, my reflexologist (and substitute grandmother) about once a month. She is awesome and you will be hearing more about her later! While I still get an occasional antibiotic when I’m sick and get yearly check ups, I try to keep an open mind & be open to all options. I find in most cases, a combination of all of the above works best for me!
All of these things have worked great for me, but I have to give credit where credit is due! God. I know He led me to this lifestyle and now my spiritual life is a priority. We found a church we liked and became involved. I actually look forward to going every Sunday and get bummed when we can’t. I read devotionals every day and spend much more time in prayer. I have begun to understand the difference between happiness and joy (Joy is an amazing thing) When I slack in my spiritual life, I suffer emotionally and anxiety takes over.
When all of these things come together, it makes me feel great. When I feel great, it’s contagious and I want to make others feel great! The more I make others feel great, the better I feel. It’s like this big ole happy circle of greatness! I love reading a devotional and sharing it with a friend who needs to hear just those words! I love finding a remedy for something and sharing that success with someone facing the same issue. I love dragging my friends along to exercise class or taking a walk together on a nice, sunny day! On vacation recently, I overheard someone at the pool talking about his recent high blood pressure diagnosis. I politely apologized for eaves dropping on his conversation and then told him everything I knew about naturally lowering blood pressure!
My “real job” as Insurance Agent and my full-time job as mom & wife take up a lot of time, but I love the opportunity to write. I am not used to sharing what I write, so this adventure is new for me. I am excited to see where this leads. Follow me! The best is yet to be!
When I slack in my spiritual life, I suffer emotionally and anxiety takes over.
