Those Magic Needles.....

For more than two years I've been visiting doctors. My primary care physician, and then lots of specialists. An allergist, a skin doctor, a pulmonologist and a sinus surgeon.  Everyone trying to figure out why I have a persistant cough and constant sinus drainage. I had sinus surgery.  I'm on two different antihistamines and three inhalers. And yet the "health adventure" continues.

I've had x-rays and MRIs......inhalation therapy treatments.....advice about diet.....you name it and I've tried it. I should have purchased stock in companies that produce cough drops.

Now I realize that this, in comparison to many serious health problems, is a minor annoyance. But it is an annoyance....and a frustration. Not only for me but for everyone around me as they are treated to the sound of my "productive" coughing. I'm pleased that the doctors involved have ruled out any really bad diagnoses.....but I am tired of being a "mystery".

So.....off to the acupuncturist I went. I've gone to two other acupuncturists over the years, both times for more muscle/nerve related problems that were not helped by traditional medicine. The first time, while working in Delaware, someone suggested I try it for my bursitis pain. And I did. Six visits.....pain gone and it never came back.  Years later, living in Bay View, I was having difficulty with my wrists. Too much time on the computer at work combined with quilting. Doctors were beginning to talk about carpal tunnel surgery. But I decided to, once again, try acupuncture before surgery. I figured it wasn't invasive and besides....what did I have to lose?

Six visits.....problem gone....never returned.

So about three weeks ago I decided that I would again give it a try....for cough and sinus. I was not sure that it would make any difference since I couldn't point to a specific spot and say "here is where I hurt".....but all my doctor visits with all my well-meaning specialists had not made any difference either.

Here I am, after three treatments and I feel so much better. Hard to explain, hard to understand....but I am better.

My father worked for the American Medical Association. He would have been very dismissive of this "woo woo" medicine. But I figure there are reasons why alternative forms of treatment have been practiced in other countries for centuries.

Those magic needles....no pain, all gain. Next time I have a health adventure I won't wait so long before trying the alternative.