I HATE NEEDLES...
I never thought I would allow someone to stick needles into me, the thought of going to the doctor to get a shot is on my top 10 list of things that I never want to know.
That is why I find it amazing writing a review about acupuncture.
I turned 30 and I had developed a wheat allergy, every time that I ate anything with wheat I would pay for it the next day doubled over in pain, it was not worth it. I had talked to my doctor and was referred to GI doctors but none of them could help me.
That is when a friend of mine said I should try acupuncture. I almost lost it right then and there, thinking about being stuck just freaked me out.
But I really wanted to eat wheat again and I was desperate to go back to eating tasty cookies and fluffy pancakes. I booked an appointment with Erica Stark, naturally I was hesitant about going, I almost didn't even show up to my first appointment!
My Experience:
The Office - Located in Kearny Mesa in the medical center across the street from the Home Depot, I took the elevator up to the 4th floor and walked into the nicely decorated office. The room was dimmed and a small fountain was along the wall. The office had a pleasant smell, not sure what to call it but it was calming, I needed calming.
Erica - I was greeted by the acupuncturist, she was sweet and understanding of my fear. She assured me that the process was painless and that my fears were normal. She knew what she was talking about, and while I know very little about eastern approaches to medical care her confidence put me at instant ease.
The Treatment - I was surprised to find myself sitting on a regular treatment table just like my doctors office. Erica interviewed me asking about my health history, why I was seeking treatment and documented it all like a regular doctor.
She took my wrists in her hands and felt my pulse, somehow she could feel that I was indeed having troubles with my stomach and then she asked me about my headache.. I was startled, I didn't tell her about the mild headache that I was feeling, it was just background noise from earlier in the day, but she could tell by my pulse, that was cool.
Erica asked me to lay down on the table, my moment of dread was fast approaching. She showed me the needles, I was stupefied, they were SO TINY. The needles didn't even look like needles, the diameter was about the width of my hair, not much at all!
I laid back, and she started.
I couldn't watch, she placed this little tube against a point on my wrist and I felt pressure. I was wondering when she was going to put the needle in and she asks how was it. I blinked, was it in? It was! I didn't feel a stab, not even a poke. I looked at it, the needle was in, and it didn't even go deep, I could barely feel it.
Erica proceeded to place more needles in other points, none of them hurt. She told me to lay still and relax, 10 minutes later she removed the needles and I was done. There was no blood, I could not even tell where the needles went in.
I have now seen Erica 5 times, and while I am not cured of my wheat intolerance, I am no longer a victim of cross contamination. I have also realized that when I go to a session I just feel better for days. I am not sure of why it works but it sure does.
tldr; being treated by Erica has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made, and the needles don't even hurt. read more