I want to have a few blog posts gathered in the ms tab that are all about what I’ve found that really helps and works for me. The one I find most helpful right now is acupuncture.  I love acupuncture. I looooooooooooove acupuncture. I cannot stress that enough, if the excess in o’s didn’t clue you in. It’s one of the best 45 mins of my week.. I’ve been going weekly since I got out of the hospital in April. I’d heard of it prior to my diagnosis, but never really gave it more than a passing thought.

One of the Neuros I saw that weekend suggested I check out the National MS Society online, and I came across acupuncture again. There have been some small studies done regarding MS, but without larger scale studies, these findings can’t be confirmed. If you’ve ever been mid-flare, you know you really don’t care about confirmed studies, you just want some type of relief, so I made my first appointment before I was discharged.

I decided to go with community acupuncture first, mainly because it was cheaper, but also because one popped up right near the hospital that had geat reviews and online booking. The next Monday morning, I was in a dark, shadowy room that was somehow inviting and a little spooky at the same time. It smelled slightly like Eucalyptus or Tea Tree, I never figured it out. I was offered one of five cushy recliners, and laid back.

At first, it was so awkward. Should I close my eyes? Am I breathing too loudly? Do I take my shoes off? …I shouldn’t have worn sandals. Will I have needles in my face?!?!?!??!!!??!!

It was the easiest thing ever. The acupuncturist sat down, had a 15 minute conversation with me about all sorts of things; from my recent hospital stay, to my headaches, to my energy level, my appetite, everything you can think of, that woman (and now, a man, my new practicioner) knows about my health and body. She took a few different pulses, and got to work.

She took her time and probably placed around 20ish little itty bitty tiny needles all over me, mainly in my hands, feet, and shins. None of them hurt, but I did feel a couple of “zings” – I don’t know how else to describe them, but the pain was gone almost instantly.

I’ve gone pretty much weekly ever since. I switched up practitioners when construction in the area started. I’ve been since told that my first acupuncturist has somewhat of a Japanese technicque, while my current one is considered more traditional. To me, the first few months I had a lot more needles, but they were much smaller, not placed as deeply, and placed more intuitively. The technique I currently receive is far fewer needles, but they’re much longer and placed more methodically. Neither cause more “zings” or irritation than the other. I have had more than a “zing” since my first session, it throbbed painfully for less than five secons, before gradually fading to nothing.

I felt a difference in my neuropathy within ten minutes of the first needle being placed. It was like a cooling sensation, that started where the prickly numbness was, that “whooshed” around my feet (if that makes any sense at all) and in little places, I could suddenly feel the air on my foot. I was astonished and so excited. Even the steroids didn’t work that fast. Over the past five-ish months, I feel like my recovery has been a lot faster and more ‘thorough’ than it would have been without acupuncture.

It definitely has mood boosting benefits, and does help with anxiety. I usually try to meditate during my sessions, and I can drop into it much more easily during and in the days right after. My balance, coordination, and heat tolerance is a lot better. It has anti-inflammatory benefits, and can increase energy. It can help improve sleep and digestion, too. It took almost four months, but all of my residual “neuropathy” is completly gone. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since my feet weren’t numb, at least just a little. It’s pretty cool being able to feel like normal, until you step on a rock.

If you go to the NMSS website, they actually have a link to search for acupuncturists in your area! If you go, let me know how it works for you.