I tried acupuncture yesterday! It’s something I’ve been curious about for a long time, and I’m glad I finally went.

I looked up a place that had an accredited doctor and takes my insurance, and made my first appointment. When I got there, I filled out a long medial history form (and basic info and a waiver, etc.) then the doctor came in and we thoroughly went over my health history (including diet, exercise, etc.).

I told him I wanted to try acupuncture for anxiety and for an imbalance in my left leg. He noticed my left leg is bigger than my right leg, right away. He said that could be from the supination my left leg when I run, but I told him it could also be leftover from the blood clots. WHO KNOWS. He advised not to run past when my left leg tells me not to, and I assured him I won’t.

I laid with my back down on the table (clothes on – when I imagined this I was face down with clothes off – ha – what do I know!) and he took my pulse in both wrists (good) and looked at my tongue (swollen, indicating bad Qi flow).

He also examined my arms and legs and told me he thinks my feet are a bit flat and that may be why I supinate. He asked if I have seen a podiatrist for that. Nope.

Then he sanitized where he was placing the needles and put them in! I had several in my arms (one arm palm up, one arm palm down), one in my hair, two on my face, one in each ear, and some in my legs. He said what each one was doing as he put them in.

It didn’t hurt, and I barely felt them going in. They didn’t tingle either… but I could feel the pressure of them being there.

I laid there for 20 minutes, relaxing, then he took them out. As he did, he massaged where he removed them from (with some sort of roller and his hands) then I flipped on to my stomach and he massaged my backside. Some of the massage seemed directional and I wondered if that was to help with Qi flow?

I liked the needles, but the massage after was icing on the cake. It felt so, so good.

And that was it! I was there just over an hour.

It felt really good and I’d like to go again. I’m just waiting to hear if my insurance does cover it. I’m supposed to get 20 sessions a year at 15% of the cost once I meet my deductible (I have), but he had to look into it more.