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Getting Needly I have heard many people say that having a session of acupuncture makes you feel like you’re high. I’ve never been high (yes, really – thanks, I like my brain cells) so I can’t confirm or deny that. I can say that if the way I feel during acupuncture is the way other people feel when they’re high, then getting high must not be that big of a deal. There is a floaty feeling, but only during the initial insertion of the needles. Frankly, once they’re in I usually fall asleep. Acupuncture has pretty much eliminated my fear of needles. I still don’t like to look when they take my blood every month to make sure Accutane isn’t doing weird things to me, but I think that’s pretty normal. But it’s pretty hard to have someone sticking needles in the top of your head and still be afraid of them. Actually, she doesn’t exactly stick them in my head. It’s more like a thwack. Really. The needles are very small and thin and the top part is a spring. She sort of flicks them in. It’s kind of a cool sound. I’m going for my depression and my allergies and my irritable bowel. I’ve had six treatments. (Or maybe five. I forget.) At first I was getting three in the top of my head; one in my forehead just over the bridge of my nose; one in the top of each ear; one in the side of each hand; one in each calf, about midway down; and one in the side of each ankle. She’s begun to vary them a little, though, and the last time I had one in my head; the forehead and ear ones; two in my tummy area; the calf ones; one in each of my wrists; and two in each of my feet. It really doesn’t hurt. Honest. I’ve only ever had one that hurt – one needle, not one treatment. Once she stuck one in my left wrist and it must have been too close to something because it hurt a lot. She pulled it partway out and then it was much better. Sometimes there’s like…a burst? That’s not a good way to describe it. A slight burn, but not a painful burn…it’s hard to describe. Anyway, sometimes there’s a weird sensation when a needle goes in, and that passes almost immediately and then I don’t feel them. After all the needles are in and adjusted she pulls the curtains, turns out the lights, and I lay there (and usually sleep) for about 30-40 minutes. And then she takes them out and I go about my day. My crushing sad depression is gone. Don’t get me wrong – there are still problems. I’m still irritable and there’s this scary war, you know. But I function much better on a daily basis. And my stomach is definitely better. My allergies – too soon to tell. I have really bad allergies. Apparently I respond very well to the treatment, though, and my acupuncturist is confident of great improvement in all areas. It’s good to feel better emotionally without having to go back on the anti-depressants. They work great for millions of people, but three different ones didn’t work for me and I’m not anxious to try a fourth. Don’t misunderstand – if I had to, I absolutely would. But for now, I’d rather the needles. And some sunshine. Spring? Spring? Are you here? Today is your day, and I look out the window and it still looks gloomy. I would really like some sunshine, please. ~ You’re going to get about as much war talk in my upcoming journal entries as I can personally stand in my life right now. I agree, one hundred percent, with every word Erin said. Every word. I would just add an extra admonition that it is fully possible, as evidenced by me and many other people I know, to support our men and women in uniform one hundred percent and yet still oppose the war in Iraq and the Bush Administration. And anyone who says differently isn’t listening. I support our troops – by wanting them home safe with our family. The soldier I support? Wants to come home. So do his friends. Here endeth the war talk for this entry.
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