Oh My Acupuncture

looking exhausted, but feeling good. thank you castria & pinheiro alternative theapies

Sometimes despite my big plans in life, my body has different ones. After a few days of no sleep and a rough 16-hour bus ride from Sao Paulo to Foz do Iguacu on Monday night I was left with some pretty debilitating neck pain.

I woke up this morning hardly able to move. And if I've learned anything since my yoga training days, it's to listen to my body when it speaks to me so clearly. This morning it answered NO to everything. So much for Argentina today. I spent the morning laying on the floor of my thankfully empty dorm room with a towel rolled under my neck trying to stabilize myself. No good. I did some yoga which usually makes me feel loads better. Also no good. I popped another Ibuprofen and smeared on gobs of Tiger Balm. The neck pain I had yesterday has manifested into my lower back and now my hamstrings. It's all connected. I was moving like I was 70 years old.

I did a lot of audible moaning in response to the pain, talking to myself out loud repeatedly mumbling, "Ok, body, I'm listening," as I climbed in my top bunk to nap. After an hour of unsuccessful napping I was stiffer than before so I got online and did some searching. I spent a good part of my day yesterday lost in town, so I wasn't looking forward to venturing out again. My lucky stars. The only acupuncturist in town is two blocks away.

I hobbled there reeking of Tiger Balm, hoping they could help me. I became a big fan of acupuncture back in New York before my acupuncturist became obsessed with me and turned me off to it. In my botched Portuguese I explained the problem, wincing as the consultant touched my neck. I didn't even think twice about having needles stuck in my back in a foreign country where I can't speak the language. All I could feel was pain that I wished would go away. They could have stuck dirty heroine needles or poison darts in my back for all I cared. In this situation I hoped for the best, knowing that's better than fearing the worst.

As I heard the miniscule needles being lodged in my backside and saw the sanitized packs I remembered from New York, I immediately relaxed feeling the tension and pressure in my neck and shoulders releasing. When she came back 30 minutes later to remove the needles I heard what sounded to my virgin ears like the man next door getting a happy ending. Oh shit. What have I gotten myself into?

After removing the needles and smearing a spearmint Lifesaver scented gel on my skin, she massaged out the knots. I was just thinking how nice it was and my body was so thankful when I felt the second pair of stronger more manly hands. Uh oh.

Fear not people. He was the chiropractic part of the deal, not a sex part. He stretched and cracked and twisted me in ways I didn't know were possible. As my neck cracked so loud I thought it was breaking I too cried out, understanding what the previous moans were all about. For pleasure of relief, not the other kind. Phew.

Placing several ear buds in my ears which I will remove in 7 days, the practitioner alerted me that I was good to go. I thanked her profusely, and am delighted to report that I can move my neck again. Though I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow, my belief in acupuncture has been restored, and a new faith in chiropractics.

the ear buds - the ears have tons of points that effect the whole body. by taping these small needles or seeds in my ear, it allows the treatment of my pain to be extended for a few days. aah alternative therapy. i love you.