Acupuncture! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**space virgin** · 12-31-2005, 01:40 PM

Okay, so a good friend of mine is a licensed acupuncturist / doctor of oriental medicine. Every once in a while when I'm feeling kinda crappy, she sticks me with a few needles, lets me "cook" for a while and damn, I feel better afterwards! It's extremely interesting and gives you a weird rush, it's easy to toddle off into your own little world with no regard to time. One time I sat in my little chair, thinking happy nonsensical thoughts and feeling kinda weird, and she came back into the room and said I was done. Really? That was quick, it's been what-- 10 minutes? "No, honey, you've been in here cookin' for about an hour or so."

Anyone else go in for acupuncture or other alternative treatments?

Note: I am not condoning the use of acupuncture and/or herbs and/or naturopathy as a substitute for good medical care.

But I do think that they're a valuable addition to conventional medical practices.

**juliagulia** · 12-31-2005, 03:05 PM

My friend's dad is an acupuncturist, though I've never used it. My best friend went to his house when her ankle was hurting, so he did his magic and her ankle was fine...

I find it interesting and I would be willing to do it..

**TheJake** · 12-31-2005, 05:12 PM

I stopped seeing "regular" doctors about a year ago. My doctor is a naturopathic and he rocks.

**TimmyJames1976** · 01-01-2006, 04:10 AM

hurt my foot...a chinese doc here checked it out....did some acupuncture.....didnt help

**IDDQD** · 01-01-2006, 12:08 PM

My dad's back was totally messed and none of the Western medicine doctors he saw could helphim out. Hell they even had him hanging by his head in a brace and it just messed him up more.
He decided to try out acupuncture and it immediately started correcting his problem.

I was 3 days form registering to take courses in acupuncture, massage therapy and chinese medicine. Unfortunate turn of events kept me from doing it. Now its 3 years later and i still want to get back to it.

P.S anyone know much about Reiki?

**TheJake** · 01-01-2006, 07:19 PM

enough to know i think it's weird.

**IDDQD** · 01-01-2006, 08:43 PM

curse you and your judgement!!!

**bookofkels** · 01-02-2006, 12:30 AM

Has any of you heard about "the cure" ?

The Irish Culture has a thing called a cure, we have them for burns, for bleeding, and alot of other things, they do work but you have to believe.

I have seen them work but i am unsure

Kel

**TimmyJames1976** · 01-02-2006, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bookofkels@Jan 2 2006, 01:30 AM
Has any of you heard about "the cure" ?

The Irish Culture has a thing called a cure, we have them for burns, for bleeding, and alot of other things, they do work but you have to believe.

I have seen them work but i am unsure

Kel

[snapback]95942[/snapback]

i believe i believe....i have even seen them on MTV before....

**voyd** · 01-03-2006, 02:22 PM

Yes, I only use naturopathic care. I've tried massage (qigong, Reiki, lymph, Swedish, sports, etc), chiropractice, acupuncture, colonics, etc. I haven't used synthetic meds for about 20 years and I try to eat pretty healthy (mostly vegetarian). I've also tried several self-therapies over the years... I'd say everything helped a little, and some things way more than others. My basic core theory is to detox and strengthen my own system naturally. This may involve some discomfort and time, but I find it works out best in the long run.

PS - So, what is "the cure?" Guinness?

**LiveFreeorDie** · 01-03-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

The Irish Culture has a thing called a cure

Yeah, I always thought it was a shot of 1/2 Baileys and 1/2 Jamesons dropped in half a pint of Guiness. That'll cure what ails ya!

But on a serius note, Acupuncture is fascinating to me and I would love to try it sometime.

**space virgin** · 01-03-2006, 08:27 PM

^ Do it. Seriously. Even for people who are needle phobes-- it's absolutely NOT painful. The needles are barely bigger than a strand of hair, and it feels as if someone is lightly tapping once or twice on your skin. And usually it'll give you a really weird, fun, relaxing rush... not unlike being stoned, I guess.

And if anyone says to you hey, wanna try tuning forks? DO IT!! Oh my god those things are cool.

**bellelass** · 01-03-2006, 09:48 PM

Im having a quiet giggle thinking of tuning forks as the next wave in the drug culture... .hehe... hey kid, wanna try tuning forks? its sooo sweet....

**omisan** · 01-03-2006, 11:39 PM

Tuning forks? Is that anything like sounding?

(WARNING: Link safe for work, but not for the squeamish.)

**voyd** · 01-04-2006, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by space virgin@Jan 3 2006, 10:27 PM

And if anyone says to you hey, wanna try tuning forks? DO IT!!* Oh my god those things are cool.*
[snapback]96347[/snapback]

Ah yes, I've tried those too - they also put them on your acupoints and it does feel greeaattt!!!

**MeTurk** · 01-04-2006, 05:56 AM

Quote:

P.S anyone know much about Reiki?

My ol queens into all that craic, she does aromathreapy and normal message aswell. She thinks tea tree is the solution to any medical problem (Tommy Teirnin does a great standup show about all these things) She says shes seen reiki cure a rash within 5 minutes. I don't see how it can work, the needles are actually making physical changes to your body.

The cure isn't any particular drink it's loads of drink. Ancient Irish proverb says - You can't have a hangover if your drunk - It's twice as bad the next day though.

Can't beat a few handfulls o' pills though... Great stuff.

**space virgin** · 01-04-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jan 4 2006, 07:39 AM
Tuning forks? Is that anything like sounding?
[snapback]96384[/snapback]

Not quite.

@dam · 01-04-2006, 04:08 PM

Well, I'm going to go against the grain here. I think acupuncture is one step above snake oil or astrology. You see, acupuncture was developed before people had any clue as to how the body worked. They thought a substance called "chi" flowed throughout the body, and the acupuncture points are supposed to redirect this chi. There is absolutely no evidence for any of this- it is as close to religion as it is to science. Now, the reason I do think it is at least one step above snake oil and astrology is because the needles may help manipulate the nervous system in some way, so there is at least the possibility it may have some effect on pain relief. For actually curing a problem though it is bunk. Sticking a needle in your skin is not going to make your irritaible bowel syndrome go away, for instance.

Beyond acupuncture, chinese medicene in general is full of similar superstitions, and many endangered species are paying dearly for this craziness (e.g. Rhino horns, bear gall bladders, etc.)

**bookofkels** · 01-04-2006, 04:20 PM

The Cure is not what it sounds like, yea i know you all thought it was something to do with drink this bein Ireland and all.

What it is, is something passed down though generations, my neighbour has the cure for burns, what he does is place his hands on the area thats burned, people that have had it done claim that the pain goes away after hes touched it.Also the burn doesn't blister as bad

**voyd** · 01-05-2006, 06:02 AM

^^ Qi is real IMO - as I've physically felt it. And a true master does not need needles, exotic animal parts or herbs to manipulate it - just their own mindbody really. True qi healing can be the most powerful therapy. The problem is that the vaaast majority of acupuncturists or "qigong" healers don't have genuine powerful skills.

bookofkels - Sounds like "therapeutic touch" - the modern form of "laying on of hands" or "Reiki," etc. All of which basically operate upon the same qi principle.