Going Beyond Western Medicine

I'm not a sickly being. I rarely used my health benefits beyond annual well exams. I quickly found out how frustrating health insurance companies and western medicine can be when I started having issues.

Exhibit A: 2 summers ago I had a strange GI issue. I felt as though there was some bigger issue going on, but no, I was referred right to a GI specialist. When I tried to piece together why it happened, no one listened to me and said there was no way it could be related to x. Not to mention the receptionist at my PCP was RUDE to me every time I called.

Exhibit B: When I went for my physical this summer I told my PCP I had a miscarriage. It was recent, so I cried when I told her. She immediately she I was depressed and wrote me a prescription for an anti-depressant.

Exhibit C: My insurance will pay for me to get anti-depressants but will not cover therapy or acupuncture. Go figure.

Exhibit D: A good portion of my students take some kind of medication to help them focus.


What is happening in our "western world"? Let me tell you how to focus- DON'T JOIN FACEBOOK. Turn off your cell phone, TV, and I-Pod. DUH! Our doctors are so overworked that they just solve our problems by giving us medication. No one has time or cares to look at the bigger picture and give us a plan for how to live a healthy life (or at least I haven't found the right doctors yet). My insurance company follows suit- they support you if you take medication, but don't if you look for alternative medicine.

Deep breath, Marisa

Enter acupuncture

I LOVE acupuncture. I love that my acupuncturist actually read over the 4 pages of medical history I wrote down. How many times have I called my mom to ask her the medical history of our family to fill out those papers sent to me before my visit- MANY. Then the doctor doesn't even acknowledge anything I wrote on there. I digress.... My acupuncturist CARED about everything that has ever happened in my life. Score.

I think the whole idea of acupuncture is fascinating. Chinese medicine has been around a LONG time and back then they didn't have all the fancy smancy equipment we have these days. Yet, they know how to stop migraines, turn a breeched baby, and fix many heart and digestive diseases. Why doesn't everyone do acupuncture and why did no one suggest this to me years ago? Oh, that's right, we just go right to the pills.

My acupuncturist listens to my "pulses". Our body is made up of meridians and she treats me based on my symptoms and how out of balance I am. I've gone 4 times and she has put needles in my head, stomach, legs, feet, and back (not all at the same time). She burns a spongy type substance on my stomach, feet, and back. I love that she is listening to my symptoms AND listening to my body and treating based on the entire picture. As someone that dreads getting blood drawn, the needles are tiny and I rarely feel them. You are laying down so you don't even see them going in.

Why am I doing acupuncture? I want to know that I am doing everything I can to keep this pregnancy. She treats my anxiety, my racing mind when I lay in bed, any pregnancy symptoms, and overall puts my body back in balance. I feel so much calmer inside, my negative symptoms haven't made an appearance in a week, I sleep soundly every night. I feel more in control. As I progress through my pregnancy, she will continue to assist me. Like I said earlier, she can make the baby turn for delivery, induce labor if I'm overdue, lessen my back pain, and keep me sane!

I HIGHLY recommend acupuncture. If you are not getting answers for some illness or issue, acupuncture may be able to solve it.

Doppler to hear heartbeat $20/month
Therapy $115/week
Acupuncture $85/week
Dog sitter so I can go to these weekly appointments $10/day
A happier and healthier Marisa - EXPENSIVE (thanks Carefirst for your lack of help) but hopefully worth it :)