So, lemme start this post by proclaiming:
I AM THE BIGGEST CYNIC/SKEPTIC OF ALL TIME
And I tried acupuncture for the first time this week, really driven by my latest struggle with anxiety and insomnia, which was totally interrupting my personal and work life. It went something like this:
Monday
“Yeah, okay, I’ll try it.”
Tuesday
“SHIT, what did I get myself into.”
Wednesday
“OH SHIT, I forgot about my appointment so let me Uber my ass there in the 2 minutes I have before my appointment time.”
Thursday
**Do Not Disturb Under Blankets All Day**
Friday
“Yeah, okay, I’ll do this again.”
Honestly, it’s not something that’s delivering like revolutionary effects – yet. But I’m open to seeing slow changes, much like I do with yoga. I went to Life in Balance Community Acupuncture here in Chicago. You can make your appointments online, and owner Erika Ewer accepts sliding scale payments, anywhere from $15 to $40 per session, plus an extra $10 for your first appointment. It’s helpful to have something so easy on your wallet when exploring a new treatment for the first time!
When I arrived at Life in Balance, I was beside-myself nervous (probably because of that panicked Uber ride). I walked in to see a bunch of recliners in a row, and people meditating/resting under blankets in them. I couldn’t see any needles, so like what the hell, I thought this was acupuncture. I filled out all the paperwork about medical history, family history, and symptoms of what I needed treated.
My friend Amanda arrived (I definitely recommend going with a friend experienced in acupuncture if you’re going for the first time), and we sat down in the recliners together. Everyone sitting around me in the recliners seemed to be having an okay time, so I started to breathe a little easier.
Erika came over to me and quietly asked me to describe my insomnia and anxiety: Did I have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Was it my mind that kept me up at night? Did I feel like I needed to sleep all the next day? Then she felt my pulse and asked me to stick out my tongue – the second of many “what the hell” moments, but Erika was doing her thing.
She told me exactly how many points she was going to target and how many needles she would be placing – 10 needles total. I honestly did not even feel the needles going in, but I also didn’t watch as she was placing them cuz I didn’t feel like passing out that day. She placed some in my feet, some in my ankles, one in each of my hands, and then one in each of my arms close to my elbows.
She covered me up with a blanket and told me to just rest, but hot damn, that one needle in my right hand, in between my forefinger and my thumb – something was happening there. It felt like something was pressing down on that pressure point – I could feel sensation all the way up my right arm into the right side of my neck. I have no explanation for this, but a lot of people have used the words “meridians” and “chee” over the past few days. Apparently, energy and toxins were being released, and I definitely had something pent up there.
Being at rest during acupuncture felt very similar to savasana at the end of a yoga class – you’re half asleep, still aware you’re in the room but in a deep state of calm and relaxation. I felt my left arm twitch and my right hand move involuntarily during the session, which Erika assured me was very common.
After an hour, she removed the needles and told me to take my time getting up – that many people feel lightheaded or have to pee after acupuncture. WHAT
That night, I didn’t feel very different, except I was craving a ton of water, much like you do after a massage. I still felt very skeptical that the acupuncture had even done anything at all. I took my melatonin and my anxiety pill and went to sleep on time.
3:45am to 5:30am I’m wide awake – WHAT IN THE HELL I THOUGHT I GOT TREATED FOR INSOMNIA
I used that time to do a little Googling about acupuncture in general. The first thing I read was that initially you can feel what’s called “acu-land” or increased energy. Uggghhhhhh why. The article went on to say that after that, you can actually start to feel worse before you feel better. That’s what I mean when I say I was under blankets the entire next day. I felt totally dehydrated, totally depleted, like you do after a flu shot – just a little sick or worn down. I chugged water like it was my full time job (at the urging of my friend Emilie – who said those meridians could reattach if you don’t flush them out). AGAIN WHAT
Then Thursday night I felt it. I took my melatonin and my anxiety pill and again went to sleep on time, and I slept for a solid 10 hours uninterrupted. I’m not saying that this is just the acupuncture’s effects. I do practice good self-care and yoga regularly. But I certainly hadn’t slept that soundly in quite some time.
Friday, I’m feeling still tired, but with a refreshed energy. I’m being totally serious, speaking from independent thought – I feel a difference after this, and I’m looking forward to trying it again next month! Acupuncture has encouraged me to drink more water along the way, too, and that’s never a bad thing.
I’ll be writing a new blog post soon about all the essential oils I use along with these treatments – to help me fight depression and gain clarity in the morning and to help me relax in the evening.
If you’re hesitant about beginning acupuncture, I hope this post helped! Feel free to leave questions or thoughts in the comments section. xox
(c) Body Boop – Read entire story here.