Out Of My Body: My Acupuncture Story
In the depths of personal anguish and depression, a chance encounter with a Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist saved my life, and altered the course it.
This is the story of my very first experience with Acupuncture many, many years ago, and is my contribution to the #naturalmedicine competition details here
It was my 2nd year at University. I had moved out of home, and was feeling pretty good about life. The previous couple of years had been hellish: the end of a long-term relationship, the ensuing disconnection with friends, starting my degree, and trying to understand a peculiar experience I’d had the previous year (a story for another time).
I had done really well in my 1st year of studies. Throughout school I thought myself rather stupid, only ever achieving fairly average marks. I had scooped it this time, with High Distinction levels in every subject, every semester. So I began my 2nd year incredibly cocky and confident.
By the midpoint of that first semester, I was waaaaay behind in all my work. I was struggling to get any assessments completed, falling behind, and missing lectures. The stress and anxiety began piling up. On top of that, I wasn’t feeling entirely safe in my share-house, with no privacy or space to study. I certainly wasn’t eating well, and smoking way too much weed, and drinking far too much alcohol as a coping mechanism. By the time exams came around, I still hadn’t submitted my essays, and I gave up. I was a mess.
I wish it couldn't be a story
The words all left me
Lifeless
Hoping
Breathing like the drowning man
— The Cure
As it turned out, we needed to move out of our house, and with no other options I moved back to my family home. My mum was deeply concerned at the state of my health, physical as well as mental. A friend of hers recommended she get me to see a Chinese Medicine practitioner that was close by.
At first I was reluctant to go — was this more of my mum’s New Age crap? She booked the session anyhow (and said she’d pay for it), and off I went.
At first it was hard to find at first, as it was upstairs above a lingerie shop (I know, right?!?). Everything seemed a bit dingy and cheap, and there was a funny odour; not unpleasant, but definitely unfamiliar.
The receptionist welcomed me; after filling out a questionnaire, she ushered me to one of four booths that was plain with a single bed. The booths were made of home-made walls that didn’t reach the ceiling, and I could hear the conversations in the other booths. The ‘entrance’ was simply a curtain. I had no idea what to expect, and found this whole situation rather strange.
The practitioner came in. He was an older Chinese man, and very soon I realised he actually couldn’t speak much English. After asking me some odd questions, he checked my pulse, asked to see my tongue, and then inspected my eyes. Asking me to strip down to underwear and lie on the bed, he then left the room.
What on earth was I getting myself in for?
He came back after a few minutes, and began to perform Acupuncture. The only thing he ever said was, “Smiling eyes. Smiling eyes” as he inserted the fine pins into a number of areas on my body. He then told me to close my eyes and rest.
What if I have to leave and open my eyes?
What if I cannot feel myself again?
— RPWL
“Become the other”
I don’t really remember the full extent of what happened next, as I think I may have dropped into a very deep state of meditative rest. At some stage, I remember having an awareness that I was lying on the bed, in this strange place, with pins sticking out of my body… but at the same time, I was not that person.
My mental state in those days was considerably scattered. In this moment however, that ‘noise’ was no longer there. It was quiet — in my head and in the room. There was a sense of peace that permeated the body-that-was-not-mine. A lingering, perpetual sense that all was fine.
And then, strangest of all, was what I remember vividly — a visual ‘hallucination’. The remarkable thing about this is that I’m not generally visual-dominant; when it happens I recall it, as it is so rare. I was outside of my body looking down at it. The picture then morphed, and I saw myself standing next to the body. I was the practitioner however, the body was someone else. I was placing small discs with strange symbols on them in various places on this body.
To this day, I cannot remember what those symbols looked like (I’ve tried to recall them), or where exactly I was placing those discs; but I had the understanding that I was treating this person in some manner. I have an association of deep wonder and beauty attached to this memory in particular.
But what I'd like to know,
Is could a place like this exist so beautiful?
Or do we have to take our wings and fly away,
To the visions in our minds?
— Stevie Wonder
At some stage, this all ended, and next thing I knew “Professor” had returned and was removing the pins. He then mobilised my joints, rubbed some kind of oil in certain areas on my body and then massaged my scalp.
I was given a small bottle of pills with instructions to take them, and to return in two weeks. I felt very strange after this experience, but peaceful, serene… the weirdness was in the difference I felt.
I don’t recall much about what happened after that, except that I continued my treatment with “Professor” for a few months, getting the acupuncture treatment and taking the herbal medicine. Even to this day, I cannot recall which point her used (or on which meridian), and what herbs he gave me. The result ultimately was that my nervous system relaxed, and the sense of dark foreboding and anxiety I had been experiencing slowly disappeared. I’d had two or three sessions by the time the new semester began again, and I returned to studying with no problems; I completed my assessments on time and again was getting amazing grades.
I began learning some Qigong with the Professor, doing a short six week course. I also started looking into meditation classes and began to consider my wellbeing. Had it not been for those sessions however, I’m not certain I would have finished my degree, or gotten my life back together so quickly. I understand now that my body was sending my signals that I needed to make serious changes in my life. I needed to let go of the old life I had left behind, of friendships that were toxic, and expectations that were unrealistic. I also needed to start looking after myself, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I finished that degree (Anthropology), and many years later began studying Chinese Medicine myself, completing a degree and opening my own practice. I even began to teach Qigong, albeit a different form. But it was that initial experience of acupuncture that was the difference that made a difference.
To the soul's desires,
The body listens;
What the flesh requires,
Keeps the heart imprisoned.
What the spirit seeks,
The mind will follow;
When the body speaks,
All else is hollow.
— Depeche Mode
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You can find the soundtrack to this story on the STEEMIT SOUNDS playlist on Spotify
Wow!!!!!! I'm Flabbergasted and speechless too. Did you ever feel the pains when the pins were inserted into your body? Is this mode of medicine used for any type of ailment? From the story line , you looked like the medicine reconfigured your brain and body system Thus causing to stop smoking and drinking , can see treatment revitalize one who has been a drug addict for a long time? ... Good to know you finished and graduated well....
Acupuncture doesn't hurt. If it does, then it's a tell-tale sign that the acupuncturist is no good. Seriously. Inserting the pins should be painless. Of course, there is a sensation felt, but it's not what one would expect from having small sharp metal pins stuck in you.
Oh, and I didn't stop smoking or drinking, well not straight away anyway. But I certainly began looking after myself a lot better. I stopped smoking altogether a couple of years later. And as fro drinking, I still enjoy a glass of wine or a beer or a Scotch every now and then, but certainly not wiping myself out like I used to.
And yes, Acupuncture can be used for anything, however a Chinese Medicine practitioner will make an assessment on the patient's pattern of disharmony, and then decide what treatment to follow that will work best. Sometimes diet and lifestyle changes are all that's needed; sometimes herbs; sometimes acupuncture. And sometimes, varying combinations of all and in different ways and in different times. There is no dogmatic approach to treatment, as its always about assessing what's best going to serve the patient in that moment. Sometimes, I would even refer off to different types of treatment altogether as I was able to assess that right now they needed that, rather than what I could do.
Huh! I had a similar experience when my sister took me to see an old Chinese medicine practitioner. I found it so strange but oh, so effective! Glad you found the help you needed, when you needed it, to make for a better life. It's funny how these things that have so much impact on our life often become our occupation, a way of giving back. Thanks for sharing your story, perhaps it will help those who are somewhat reluctant to turn to natural medicine overcome their reluctancy and give it a chance. I found it has been a life changer for me and so many others too!
Oh wow- what an incredible story! I've never received acupuncture- mainly because when I was a child, my mum received some and she told us how painful it had been for her and that it hadn't helped. I think at some deep level, this biased me against it- however, I've been interested in plant spirit medicine for almost two decades- and that follows many of the same underlying principles. I now believe that mum simply had a bad practitioner.
The vision you remember is an incredibly moving one somehow - it's almost like you were healing yourself whilst in this trance-like state. You've certainly convinced me to look into treatment - maybe if I can find a practitioner I like, it could be my answer. Thanks for being so generous with such a personal post. E x
I love that you became a Chinese medicine practitioner! I've dabbled in Qi Gong but haven't really got myself into it. Never gotten Acupuncture.
Qigong and Tai Chi can be difficult to get started with, as the benefits of it only come once you can relax into the form, getting out of your head. Having said that, you would notice something in the beginning that would inspire you to keep going. My advice to students and patients was always to check in whether they feel the form itself or the teacher is congruent with their needs.
The “Professor” was a great introduction and initiation into these mysteries. A couple of years later, I found a very different Tai Chi Master who also taught me some foundational stuff. And then it was a few years after that I found my current teacher, mentor, and doctor. In Taoist thought, our teacher is the one who has the ability/knowledge/experience that is appropriate for where you are in the moment.
I'm so glad you found The Professor!
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I love the lyrics here and through the post. I feel Melbourne all through this!! This is a fabulous story. I loved acupuncture when I had it years ago and you have made me want to search one out in Geelong again for some 'stuff' happening at moment. How powerful an experience this must have been to shape your career.
I love the link to Spotify. We are fans of Depeche Mode here, particularly my husband.
I always tell people that the criteria for finding an acupuncturist is that:
a) you should trust them and feel that they ‘get’ you — although this applies to any therapist or doctor, whether natural or conventional.
b) their location should be convenient for you. Acupuncture works best when done regularly and as close together as possible. Having to travel an hour or so to get to your Practitioner can add more stress to life. Again, this applies to all kinds of health/medical practitioners. Having said that, I have to travel an hour through traffic to reach mine, but I’m not in the situation where I need to see him weekly or fortnightly... maybe every now and then for a check-up.
Glad you like the soundtrack 😊🙏🏽☯️
I agree. Im going through that stress today. This wind doesnt help!!!
Yes, Wind is considered a disruptive energy, and can unsettle emotions, unground the Qi and bring on muscle spasms in the upper body (neck usually), headaches, migraines, anger, irritability, maybe even bring on an episode of hypertension (for those prone to it).
Ironically, certain herbal medicine or food-medicine approaches are better, as they help strengthen yīn, in order to anchor the yàng.
The metaphor is that a tree with its roots in solid, stable soil will not get uprooted by strong winds.
Hearty, rich foods that nourish the xue (Blood) like chlorophyll-rich greens and root veg, and red meat in moderate, easily digestible form (for those that eat it).
Gosh that perfectly aligns with how I'm feeling right now. Makes so much sense. Bloody August and wind!
It's a remarkable way to finally find your 'life destination'. But I sure believe in these traditional natural medicine's ... more then I believe in pharmacy.
If we could just prescribe pharmaceuticals according to TCM principles, we would find a great deal less of the problems these types of medicines create.
Thanks for sharing your life story. It's nice that accupuncture helped you so much and so cool you studied Chinese Medicine. I practiced Qigong too. It helped me during a diffult time in my life. So I can relate!
I'd love to hear more about your experiences with Qigong. What did it do for you? How did it help you?
At the time I had a PTSD and a lot of stress and anxiety and hyperventilation. It was the one thing that could relax me, get me in the flow and let me breathe effortlessly. The feeling last for about an hour, but the reset was very welcome.
Such a good practice for a reset to the nervous system!!
Even without practicing however, you have probably taken on the breath-work as part of your normal breathing patterns, and the effects are anchored now in your system.
Even triggering the memory right now is probably bringing back that feeling that used to last an hour, is that right?
The beauty of this work is that it will always be with you. Even though I don't exactly do the exercises that the Professor taught me in that form, they have stuck with me twenty years later.
Good to hear. Unfortunately it didn't last and nowadays I still hyperventilate now and then. Maybe I should give it another try. Thank you!
I have heard of the wonders of acupuncture and have always wished to try it out . We all need that sense of peace with all the hustle and bustle of life. Alas, I have found zero opportunity being in an African country.
What caught me was the in depth description of your experience, it is inspiring. Believe me, I want it the more. How wonderful it went on to shape your career. Perhaps you would visit my country someday?
Wow, @cheekah, thanks for the invitation.
I would LOVE to come over there and help run some community clinics, I've always wanted to see more of that sort of thing.
I know the TCM profession from China have invested lots of money in health and research in Africa, especially around the use of Artemisia annua (a species of wormwood, called Qing Hao) for the treatment and prevention of Malaria. I believe that because of the research conducted, many local governments began looking to produce it as a cash crop to supply companies with it to make the medicine.
But acupuncture itself is so well suited to being used in developing countries, as the resources one needs for treatment are minimal - just a place to set up a clinic, needles, and antiseptic swabs, and that's it. And it's so effective for internal and functional conditions, without the need for expensive medicines.
Who knows, one day perhaps I will be able to head over and do something like this!!
Blessings
😊🙏🏽☯️
I never knew it was that easy to set up an acupuncture establishment.
It would be great to have you guys around!
We tackled acupuncture during our classes in med school. It was an interesting subject but wasn't discussed in depth. There were no local practitioners in our area to consult about it further. I view acupuncture as an alternative means for pain relief but its not going to be the first thing I'd recommend when dealing with clinical pain. I wish more empirical clinical trials were published about the subject.
There are actually loads of published trials and reviews from China, not all of them translated into English unfortunately. There is still an inherent ethnocentric bias in medical science still unfortunately, a hang-over from colonial times.
Its uses go beyond pain management, as has been documented for around 2000 years. Again, unfortunately the sheer number of documents needing to be translated is massive!