16 needles

Yesterday, when I went in for my chuna treatment (rhymes with tuna) I seemed to have taken a few steps back. I couldn't lay on my back with my legs out straight. This is where I was last Saturday and I couldn't be more disappointed and frustrated. Monday and Tuesday were very promising. I was looking forward to being able to go back to work and go back to making dinners so my wife could rest a little. Anyway, the doctor discovered that I have a weak muscle in my lower back and that is why the chuna treatment wasn't working so well, instead of allowing the muscle to relax, he was stressing it too much. So, he decided to try a new therapy style.

I've been getting acupuncture all along, but today he put giant needles straight into my hip and butt. Right into the sore muscles. WOW! that is painful, but oddly relaxing at the same time. When I thought the worst was done, however, he took a lighter to the acupuncture needles and got them nice and hot, so the heat went straight down into my back. Anyway, I guess that's the new treatment, I get stuck like a pig, then roasted. . . awesome.

So, after he finished with the hot needles, I laid on my back and the doctor commenced sticking me in all the right points. If you don't understand how acupuncture works, its an interesting science. Our bodies have an energy that flows through us from head to toe. We are connected in several parts all over our bodies as you can see in any massage room if you look at the picture of the feet on the wall. Or you can look at this pic for the body points.

If your back hurts, there are different places in your feet and arms that are connected with that area. As the pain decreases, you need less needles. When I first started this treatment I had so many needles in my arms and legs I couldn't move an inch without bumping them on something.

However, this morning, when I woke up, I could actually stand up straight and walk around with my head up. This is the best I've felt in a long time. That lasted about 5 minutes before the crabs started snapping at my butt muscles again. Today, the doctor and the nurses were all happy when I walked in with bigger steps than I've had in 2 weeks. I was able to lay down with only minor discomfort. When it was time for the regular acupuncture treatment, he started poking me and each place he struck hurt. That's actually a good sign as it means he got the right spot. It hurts differently than just a little prick of a needle. You just know that its a good pain. When he was done poking me, I had 4 needles in each arm and 4 in each foot, mostly in my toes. So, I'm down to 16 needles. That pleases me.

Oh! After treatment today, I went to the sauna.

I'll have to write a post about the Korean sauna later, but the good news is, I got to weigh myself. I have been on a diet for one week. In one week, I have lost just over 5 kg. 5. For you American's out there, multiply that by 2.2 and that's how many pounds I've lost in a week while laid up and unable to exercise.