ACUPUNCTURE

Last week my Mum rang me up. "I want to put something to you", she said. A friend of hers had seen a few of my Facebook posts re the pain I was in. This friend rang Mum, and relayed to her how acupuncture had really helped her with her back pain problem, and she wanted me to give it a try. 
I have had acupuncture before. Im one of the weird ones who quite enjoys the sensation of needling, so I had no hesitation in saying "I will try anything!!!!". 
So, we rang, made an appointment, and off we went two days later (Wed). 
Now I want to make something clear. I am someone who believes in holistic healing - that is, healing the body as a whole, and not "just" the medical nor the alternative, but to be able to use both when and where needed. 
I immediately liked Mairead. She had/has a lovely aura about her. She talked to me for a while, then brought me in to start. I want to point out that I was on a crutch and barely able to put my left foot to the floor. Any walking was agony, both on my feet and my back and hips. 
So, she started "puncturing" me - my feet and my stomach. All over my stomach. Some I felt going in, some I didnt, and some hit something which made me yelp - but all fine!!! 

She then left me looking out of the skylight, watching the clouds go by and listening to soothing music. No pain at all, but cant jump up and move around either! 
I just want to say this though. I didnt go to her expecting her to cure me - I went for pain relief. I know that the damage is done and that the surgery will be the only answer in the long run, but I need pain relief that only opiods can give me otherwise, but which I will take only as a last resort because they make me feel so ill. 

Anyway, she came back in after about 25 minutes, removed the needles and that was that. I have to say I was very sore - again, not from the needles, but from, well, pain. 
She did say expect this to happen, for the pain to heighten before settling, and heighten it did as the day went on. 
I had an awful nights sleep. Waking very regularly with my feet aching. 

I took it easy the next day, really rested up - staying in bed. 

Then - Friday came - and I got up to go to the toilet, and found I was able to walk without my foot on one side.... NOT pain free, but - well, easier. 
This continued through the day. I got up and got dressed and did a few chores. Still not too bad, and not needing the crutch. I did get tired very quickly, and the pain did start after 15 minutes or so. 
Saturday came and I was still off the crutch and tentatively moving around. I took it a bit easier as I didnt want to push it, especially with my "minders" giving out to me!!! 

Yesterday was Monday. I was back to see the lovely Mairead for a second session. She had said in our consultation that we would try 3 initially to see how we got on. I appreciated that as it was good to put a time limit on how much we would keep trying. Been there before where I was going and going and paying big money to different therapists and not getting anywhere. 

So, she brought me into the room again, delighted to see me off crutch, and this time needled my feet and hands. The hands hurt. They really did. Especially my right one which corresponded with the left foot. Makes sense. She also did some sort of heat work at the end with Chinese Mugwort - which had a very "interesting" herbal smell!!!!! 

Today Im very very sore. I had extreme pain in the night and had to take Nurofen Plus and half a valium. Today Im not much better. Walking on the side of the foot again, but heres hoping its just the day after settling period. I promise faithfully to take it very easy today. 

Im a firm believer that we need to learn that we have to live with things as they happen. I take it one day at a time at this stage. Its all I can do. Yesterday I had little inklings of thoughts that I might get back to work in a few weeks, but after being on my feet for about half an hour yesterday, I know now that that is quite unlikely to happen. Until I have either the cortisone or the operation.