h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello all! I got to be a human pin cushion this week. I am trying acupuncture to see if it will help alleviate fatigue and regulate my female cycles. We shall see how much it helps in long run! The needles on my body didn't hurt, except for the ears, and that wasn't too bad. I was surprised that I had to stay on the table with the needles in me for quite a while. Doctor also recommended my doing Quigong and/or Tai Chi. And I have started taking a supplement called Greens Plus. Adventures in health.

JEllen best of luck to you.
I cannot wait to see how well accupucture works for you

I tried accupuncture once for my back. It didn't work, but I think that because I went to a fellow whose English was almost non-existent, there was a communication problem and he didn't understand exactly how the pain was manufesting itself. In my case, I had pain in my hip, but the actual problem exists higher in my back. He was treating the spot where the pain was, not where the pain was coming from. I really should try it again. There is someplace a few blocks from work. I really would like to try it again, since it really "feels" like it is a good solution or at least part of the solution to much of my back problems.

Hi JEllen !

Best of luck in your new pin cushion status! I have to say I had accupuncture, I stumbled across it when I was taking Dad for treatment for his Cancer. The guy said I should have a go with the ME. So I did. The whole experience during treatment was very relaxing indeed. I got home and floated for about 2 hours, and then crashed! I didn't ever get a chance to go back to the same guy, as dads health went downhill at great speed from there on in, there just wasn't time. I wish I would have had the chance, he seemed to explain things in such a clear way. Some of it a little depressing, like if your illness took 5 years in the making it will take 10 years to recuperate, a simple equation, but very chilling indeed. The good news was, at least I had acknowledged I was not well now, rather than in another 5 years. Apparently I had lots of blocked channels, he was very good at explaining it all!

So the best of luck for you, hope it brings some relief

Yes best of luck JEllen! I have to admit I've mever tried zccupuncture although I have certainly heard good things in some situations.

*waves to Bubble*Hello stranger!

I have always wanted to try acupuncture.

That figure is worrying though, my illness it at least 25 years in the making, which means I could be rid of it at 83. Thats if I am not already working on the getting rid of it side - how do you know?!

I shall look forward to seeing how it goes with you JEllen, and whether it helps you, I hope it does!

I am hoping to try hypnosis later this year to calm my fears down.

wow I'm all about alternative medicine...Can't wait to see how it turnes out!!!

My advice about Tai Chi...I've practiced it off and on (but not for many years). I've had many teachers. The only ones who were any good taught it as a martial art. Only they knew the real significance of stuff like balance (so your 'opponent' can't kick you over) and what to do with the hands (they're meant to be blocking and grasping punches).

All the other meditation' harmony stuff flows from that. The ones that teach it foremost as a moving meditation often don't understand the martial aspects at all and so only see half the picture.

"...zccuncture"...what alternate universe was that in? But seriously, I'd looked@the different varieties of Greens Plus years ago & they certainly seem good. just a guess (& definitely not meant to detract from either) but I'd think if one doesn't bring about some improvement, the other could. Againwith the treatment!

I agree with Ed since it is mind and body work it is best to have them incorporated. Tai Chi is fantastic, striving for balance in all areas being the key.

I have never heard that rule - takes twice as long to heal
I do not like it or believe it Just my opinion though.
The body turns over all of it's cells every 7 years so I prefer to think of that timeline as a positive possibility when there is a disease process.

I believe there are infinite ways of healing possible without neccesarily curing conditions. With the specific reasons for your visits JEllen, I think a lot of good could come of it.

I am more skeptical of mixing traditional and eastern remdies. I think they both have their place but caution is needed when mixing compounds.

I have to agree on incorporating Tai Chi...it just sounds like a natural pairing!

Just myabbi (& an uninformed@that), I don't think there'll be a problem with the Greens Plus. I would assume it's as a supplement to assure a more stable nutritional base for the Tai Chi and/or Quigong to work with, so to speak.

I meant to include http://www.health-n-energy.com/greens.htm (checked for typos & impulsively hit 'Post' after finding none.)

KazSorrel, I have found hypnosis to be very helpful indeed, especially with my PTSD.

Ed, I will probably base which class I go to more on convenience, which class is in the evening and close to me!

Quigong is easier than Tai Chi, but still a little difficult for me with my weak right foot. I have a Quigong DVD I can follow.

Jazz, yes I have a feeling the Greens Plus will be very helpful.

Hi Abbi, Mudhooks, Murray, Bubble and all.

Not sure I believe in the double recovery theory either. Guess it depends what you do to try and help yourself. If you do absolutely nothing, then who knows. But can it still be double the time if you improve your diet, suppliment, alternative therapies etc etc etc. It can't be surely. The real battle is finding what works. Especially when there is so little research, and convincing professionals that you need help, not sympathy.

I am really sorry now that I said what I said, and would very much like to retract that statement, and hope that I have not upset anybody. Apologies

I don't understand anything about Tai Chi, Quigong, Greens Plus, can anybody educate me on this? Any help would be gratefully received.

Bubble, don't worry about retracting the statement! I don't believe any practitioner can say anything which will be exact for all people, there maybe some truth in it for some conditions though. I believe we should feel free to prove doctors wrong though at every opportunity!

Hooray for trying new stuff, hope it has the desired effect that your're looking for. It sounds like it is already, your very positive about it all

Never mind acupuncture - I've got an ear infection. It feels like someone is trying to drive a nine inch nail into my ear!

(and I'm sure such large doses of ibuprofen can't be good for me.)

< I believe we should feel free to prove doctors wrong though at every opportunity! >

I wholeheartedly agree with that one!! Question everything, especially if the Doc. says you shouldn't.
I beleive that Doctors get a bit big for their britches ( of course) and need to be reminded that they don't know everything.

I'm not sure what movie it was in, but there's a line out there...."medicine is just guesswork in a white coat"

You need antibiotics for an ear infection, not acupuncture, Edward!

with the treatment, JEllenJ42!
Never had acupuncture myself, so can't comment.

Hi Bubble, I don't think anyone was offended by your comments, so no worries.

Tai Chi and Quigong are both system of gentle exercises originating in China. Tai Chi is considered a martial art, like Karate, but a very gentle one. The idea is to get the energy of the body flowing.

Greens Plus is a nutritional supplement equivalent to a couple cups of vegetables. It has antioxidants and other good stuff in it.