I Tried Community Acupuncture and This is What Happened
Emily Smith is a 30 year old woman. She lives with two conditions that she would like help for:
Anxiety
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PTSD
We will be using five interview questions to gain an understanding of why she chose community acupuncture for reducing the symptoms of her anxiety and PTSD:
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What Lead you to Choose Community Acupuncture?
My anxiety and PTSD symptoms were getting in my way of living the life that I wanted. Simple life events like driving to work, even walking into work to making dinner right - were becoming more and more difficult to do. A few of my friends suggested different types of treatments that had worked for them:
Counseling
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Somatic experiencing
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Acupuncture
I gave counseling a try for two sessions but it did not seem like the best fit for me. I gave Somatic Experiencing a try and have continued with it, and although my symptoms were reducing, I still was not living the day-to-day life that I wanted. My anxiety and PTSD symptoms still had more control than I wanted. My family and Somatic Experiencing therapist suggested acupuncture again.
So, I looked into it, but the average cost per session, being $75 to $160, I did not know how I would cover the fees. Then I read Heal.me's guide on community acupuncture. Considering the cost per session of $20-$40, I found out that there were two community acupuncture clinics in my town. This is how my journey to community acupuncture started.
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What did You Experience During your First Community Acupuncture Session?
When I went to my first community acupuncture session, I filled out paperwork, talked to an acupuncturist about why I was there and what I was hoping to achieve. What I found most surprising about the session was that I ended up falling asleep and felt so comfortable despite being treated in a room with other people also getting treatment. It was almost like because others in the room were relaxed and calm, it helped me feel that way. I do not often feel that way going into any health-related appointments.
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Did you find the insertion of the Acupuncture Needles Painful?
I experienced tingling. At one point, the needles for my arms felt almost like tickling. When the acupuncturist put needles into my legs it was an interesting experience. I had previously had a test on my legs to assess nerve damage. The needles entering my legs reminded me of that painful experience. Once I reminded myself that I was at an acupuncture appointment the memory of the nerve test went away, and I was able to experience the tingling feeling when the needles were inserted. What happened at that moment was a PTSD flashback. One of the reasons why I was trying acupuncture.
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What did you Experience When Your Session Ended?
At the end of my community acupuncture session, I woke up from a nap. I did not realize that my requested 45 minute time was over. It was almost like time had stopped during my session. As I paid for the session and exited the community acupuncture clinic, I felt calmer, more relaxed, and like I was floating on clouds. I felt like my mind was clearer than it had been in a long time. These are all effects that I was hoping for but did not know that I would have such an experience and outcome after community acupuncture.
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Would you Recommend Community Acupuncture?
I would recommend community acupuncture. I plan on going every two weeks. I think it will continue to help me and I hope to see more benefits for my anxiety and PTSD over time.
More Information
Would you like more information on acupuncture? Check out these resources:
References:
Acupuncture: In Depth. (2017, February 21). Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction
Chao, M. T., Tippens, K. M., & Connelly, E. (2012). Utilization of group-based, community acupuncture clinics: a comparative study with a nationally representative sample of acupuncture users. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 18(6), 561-6. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390970/
E. Smith, personal communication, February 18, 2008
Peoples Community of Acupuncture: Our History. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://www.pocacoop.com/our-history
Tippens, K. M., Chao, M. T., Connelly, E., & Locke, A. (2013). Patient perspectives on care received at community acupuncture clinics: a qualitative thematic analysis. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 13, 293. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-293. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4231447/