I have always thought acupuncture is a sort of dodgy treatment that only the older generation of Chinese believes in and goes for. I never thought that I would ever try it, not least because I find the idea of needles poking into me a very squeamish idea indeed.
So, it is with great surprise that I find myself in an acupuncturist's clinic today, in fact, back again the second time to be precise.
And I think my mum has the last laugh about this, a sad laugh anyway. Yup, I have caught a chill during my pregnancy and after the delivery. Since the last trimester, my right hand has been feeling sore. Today, the third finger on the right hand and the forefinger on my left are unable to close properly, and I have numbness up to both shoulders in the morning.
I have gone to the doctor's, but all I have been told from the beginning was that this is likely due to water retention and the nerves in my hands being squeezed and that the condition will pass once I have delivered the baby and the water is released. However, the condition has persisted till today and in fact, worsened from one hand to two.
I have also seen an osteopath and a chiropractor, both of whom have given little consolation or results despite their high fees (35pounds for 30min?!). I felt slightly "loosened up" and more relaxed after the treatment with the osteopath, but came away feeling that it has all been too mystical and alternative an experience for me - his treatment is a gentle kneading of the affected body parts and in the course of his treatment, he had excited outbursts of "Ah, yes! This is the spot! I feel it! Do you feel it?" Apparently, I was supposed to feel a tingling and a spreading of warmth in that identified spot. I found it a laugh that I, the patient, felt nothing, while the healer said he felt it... (He has also told me that when he treated Singaporean babies, he could feel a buzzing from them, because they have been exposed to too much radiation, since the preggies in Singapore are scanned at every gynae appointment ... hmmm... go figure...)
My experience with the chiropractor was less mystical, but no less effective. I had expected painful cracking of the bones, but what he offered was more like a strong massage. I saw him 4 times and in those few sessions, he often went on to treat my back, shoulders, neck despite no complaints about those areas from me and had to be reminded that I was there for my hands. In one of my last sessions, he suggested that we try acupuncture. It was painful and he drew blood. My hands were no better, and I fled after that, resolved not to return.
My parents suggested acupuncture and I was apprehensive. My last experience with the chiropractor did not leave pleasant memories. But I was desperate enough, so I sought out Dr Wang on a fren's recommendation.
After determining the cause and treatment, Dr Wang informed me of the places he would insert the needles. I was to have them in my neck, both wrists and the affected fingers. As I laid on the treatment bed face down, I could hear him getting his equipment ready. And as he came near, I was a big knot of nerves. I kept trying to sense when the needle was entering my skin. I dunno if Dr Wang felt my fear, but I could certainly smell it!
And when the needle was finally inserted, I felt just a tiny prick. It went in so quickly and smoothly, that it was almost an anticlimax after all my psyching up. And before long, all the needles were in and I felt circles of soreness rippling out. And absurdly enough, at that point, for one crazy moment, I suddenly thought of the osteopath and very much wanted to tell him, "I feel something. This is how 'something' feels like as opposed to 'nothing'..."
I was sent home with 5 packets of herbs to boil and soak my hands in daily. Plus a bottle of ointment to apply. For one week, the house was filled with the smells of chinese herbs, the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) smell I call it. A smell that I never imagined would ever be in my house. But strangely enough, I drew comfort from it and found it surprisingly pleasant. Is it due to the fact that I am in a foreign land and so find solace in something that is tied to my roots? Probably. While we have never had this particular smell in my mum's house, my memories of growing up are filled with the smells of Chinese tonic soups that my mum would brew and make us drink before each exam...
At today's consultation, Dr Wang was pleased that the swelling has gone down visibly and I have to say I am equally pleased, even if astonished by the speedy effect of the treatment. The numbness, soreness and rigidity are still there, but the pain and swelling are noticeably gone. And he had a more elaborate treatment for me after the examination today - I had needles in my head, on my shoulders, fingers, knees and feet. And the interesting thing was that today, I could sense different degrees of soreness once the respective needles are inserted. I dunno how acupuncture works exactly, but according to him, I have 寒 "han" (cold) and 湿 "shi" (damp) in my system now. And the different degrees of soreness indicate where these 2 culprits are most intense as the 气 "chi" brings them around. In the past, I would have told you that this is all a bucket of hogwash, but today, I felt it for myself and I am truly lost for words. It is a very amazing experience indeed.
Besides the needles, I had 2 heated overturned cups on my shoulders and apparently, they would help the doctor tell which shoulder is more seriously affected, besides their treatment purposes. I also had 2 infrared lamps baking my shoulders, then my wrists. The nearest experience I can describe this as is that of suntanning. It was such a nice warm feeling that I soon felt drowsy. And I was almost sad when he took the lamps away - I was starting to have visions of myself enjoying a nice pinacolada on a warm, sunny Thai beach with golden sand and crystal clear warm waves lapping my feet.
Happily, the session was rounded off with a nice, hearty back and hand massage, especially for the swollen parts, since I was told that I would scream if any needle was inserted into the inflamed, swollen bit.
Daddy Low had gone for a treatment as well for his neck and back pains. And as we exchanged notes later, his experience seemed to be even more spectacular. He described a bubbling sensation followed by a distinct dissipation. And as these "bubbles" ebbed away, he felt a soreness spreading out. And going by his big smile and description, it sounds like this is the best treatment he has ever had for his longstanding neck and back problems. I think he will be going back for more ...
I swear by my TCM needles. But only him I trust. £35 for 30 mins is okay. My chiro charges $80 for a 10 minute session. If nothing wrong with me it can be just 5 minutes. Hope I said enough.
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