It's Magic

Acupuncture -- It's Magic.

I first became aware of acupuncture over 20 years ago. I had low back problems for years before that and it had always been treated with muscle relaxing medications, pain killing medication, massage, ultrasound and time. I feel that time was the thing that contributed the most to recovery.

I eventually was awarded a 30% service connected Veterans Administration disability for low back problems. Early on I only had problems occasionally and mostly when I did too much lifting or was in an awkward position for an extended period of time.

One time when I was at the VA Rehabilation Clinic in Newington CT and receiving the normal treatment for low back pain, Dr. Chung, who runs the clinic asked if I wanted to try acupuncture. "Why not" , I thought, "I'm really hurting and will try anything." Dr. Chung inserted a few needles and after 20 minutes or so all the pain was gone. He told me that the pain would get worse and it would take 3 or 4 treatments to get back to normal. It was magic. No problems for at least 5 years.

The next time I had back problems 3 or 4 treatments fixed me up and again I was good for 5 years or so.

After moving to Florida I woke up one morning and was in severe pain in the lower back. I went to the VA in Orlando and got some muscle relaxers and pain medications and was told to take it easy. On the way home I asked Shirley to take me to an acupuncturist that I had seen near our house. This was the office of Dr. Lin, a dentist who also did acupuncture treatment. He took me right away and asked if I had acupuncture previously and where the acupuncturist had put the needles. I told him my history and he said with his Chinese accent "Ohhh, good acupuncturist."

Dr. Lin said that as I was getting older I should get a "tune up" every six months to a year. It worked well. I got winter treatment from Dr. Lin in Florida and summer treatment from Dr. Chung at the VA in Connecticut. As I got older the treatments became necessary on a more frequent basis.

After returning to Florida last fall I asked my Primary Care VA Physician to request that the VA pay for treatment here locally as the VA in Gainesville, some 80 miles away, was booked far in advance and could not see me. Shortly after I was approved for what the VA calls fee basis treatment and I have been seeing Dr. Frerking, my first non-Chinese acupuncturist twice a week for the past six weeks.

The treatment here is great and I feel as good as I have felt in a long time. Now I am going to go twice a month until I leave for Connecticut and receive treatment from Dr. Chung at the Newington VA. I already have my appointments.

It's magic.

Does acupuncture hurt? No way. Here is a quote from Life Management Center in Australia that sums it up.

"Some people would like to try acupuncture but may not because they assume it will be painful. The needles used are solid and much finer than those used for injections. In most cases only a slight prick is felt as the needle goes through the skin. When the needle reaches the acu-point, there is another sensation often described as a dull ache, or a numb tingly feeling. This sensation is quite comfortable and lasts only for 1 or 2 seconds. Needles used by your acupuncturist are sterile disposable needles and are used only once."
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