my introduction to acupuncture

i'd like to say that I am a volunteer guinea pig for everything and anything related to health, wellness, and the spiritual-physical connection. that being said, the 8,000 year old practice of traditional chinese medicine and acupuncture has been the latest (and far overdue) experience I treated myself to.

acupuncture is the healing modality with roots in ancient china and asia that utilizes small needles being inserted into the body in a methodical way, using evidence-based energy points and meridians for various healing intentions.

meridians, simplified, make up the network of energy paths where the "qi", or life energy", flows. there is extensive complexities to this physical-energy system; but there are 12 principle meridians which are then divided into yin and yang groups. while there are more than 400 acupuncture points in the human body, many focus in the arms, legs, and abdomen. the yin meridians of the arm are the lung, heart, and pericardium. the yang meridians of the arm are the large intestine, small intestine, and triple burner. the yin meridians of the leg are spleen, kidney, and liver. the yang meridians of the leg are stomach, bladder, and gall bladder. 

your acupuncturist will decide, based on the issues you are working on, which points on which meridians will be beneficial to you.

those are the basics.

in regard to my journey, I came in with a completely open mind and willingness to learn and explore with confidence another layer of healing. my main issues to focus on: liver toxicity and stagnation, gut health and digestion, skin trauma and inflammation, fatigue, moodiness, and anxiety. all of these symptoms are interconnected,

because our bodies are constantly working for us and communicating deeper issues than we can see on the surface through the internal dialogue of symptoms.

i entered the completely zen-ed out space of the thank you mama studio, a small wellness studio located in st. petersburg, florida that places a dominating focus on women's health, pre- and post-natal care, and a myriad of prevention healing support such as massage, pelvic steaming, and cupping. immediately greeted with a soothing scent of lavender and chamomile, I glanced around the thoughtfully decorated room and noticed a few of my favorite things. glass jars of chinese herbs lined the walls, bottles of essential oils and organic skincare glistened as the sun kissed the shelves, and beautiful artwork evocative of other-worldliness hung on the walls.

my practitioner, heather, greeted me with a smile and we made our way back to the room where the acupuncture would be done. the first 60 minutes of my introduction to this ancient art included going over my concerns and history, and addressing everything from my menstrual cycle to my diet to my mood to how often I meditate.

after getting acquainted with one another, heather allowed me to step into the (heated...wow) massage bed while she stepped out of the room momentarily. upon returning, she asked me a few more questions such as, "do you often feel cold?" (yes), "do you feel like you run more damp or dry?" (still learning more about this question...she said she believed I was more damp.)

she examined my pulse, looked at my tongue a few times, and spent a few moments carefully looking at my feet and hands. she explained the sensation of the needles before the first one went in.

heather assured me there should be no pain during my session, but the unfamiliar sensation of the acupuncture needle entering the energy point would feel "heavy", and as if it was being pulled from the inside. 

this was accurate.

she started at my feet, and the sensation was completely new and unexpected, because like, how do you compare this to anything else? as she made her way up my body, needles were placed in my legs, arms, abdomen, third eye (forehead), ears, and top of head. she talked to me throughout this process, explaining the meridians and the placement of each needle.

I noticed on several symmetrical points (needles in same place on both arms/legs) that the sensation of heaviness and energy-probing was significantly amplified on my left side. I verbalized this to heather, and she asked where I was on my cycle. I told her that I was expecting aunt flo in 4-5 days when she told me I was in my luteal phase, and my feminine energy is much stronger and more intense during this time. guess what side is our feminine? left.

heather quietly left me with a lavender-scented eye mask and meditative music (and a warmer placed directly on my feet, omg) for 30 minutes. during this time, I felt energetic rhythms running through my body,

as if the needles were the song and my body was dancing to it.

I felt my body spasm a few separate times, and I completely jolted at least once. I sunk into meditation and had vivid visualizations of dreams manifesting, a clear understanding of several things weighing on me, and a sense of confident peace.

in the hours following the acupuncture treatment, I felt a lightness which I hadn't felt in a little while. I felt a energetic release of some resentment feelings, and I had a clear and patient mind.

days and even weeks after this encounter with acupuncture, my visions and manifestation powers seemed to have amplified...just like that. although I consciously implement the practice of visualization and manifesting my dream life every day, this energy that has been released from stagnation (or realigned, perhaps?) has brought me to action in ways that I have been "meaning to do" for 2+ years. I feel motivated, confident in my dreams and visions, and have gotten to serious work.

I did nothing different to evoke these feelings besides visit heather, which is super exciting and clear.

heather asked me to return for 4 more consecutive sessions, and then we will re-evaluate. In the meantime, she gave me an herbal blend of lavender flowers, chamomile, calendula, and red clover to steep as tea and drink 2 cups a day.

although I do a lot of "new" things all the time, I haven't been able to stop thinking about this encounter with acupuncture and have a feeling it will become part of my wellness routine.

be well, friends.

and so it is.

xo, mrc