I had a great session with my acupuncturist today. Heather incorporates many therapies together with great results. As well, she’s one of my yoga teachers, so we’re able to discuss stretches that are appropriate (and inappropriate).  So, here’s what happened in my session.

First she talked to me about what’s been going on & evaluated the sore points, finding the real “trigger” spots. And, yes, they were hip points that tie into the groin & down the IT band. She noted that I have strong IT band definition in my right calf — its taught & tired! One thing she pointed out was that my body tends to run on the anemic side. I’ve been upping my exercise & part of my issues may be that my ligaments aren’t getting the support they need nutritionally to support my increased work on them. So, I’m going to start taking my herbs again & continue to try to improve my anemic tendencies.

She then set me up face down on the massage table & began by running some electrical tests on my right ear. She uses a tool that tests the electrical signals going to the brain & indicate what nerve groups are firing hard. My hip was yelling. This helps tell her how to proceed with needles to help calm down the firing….then the ear needles went in. Then the hip. Some on my left arm to “ground” the right side work. And a few in my right foot. One in my right thigh about killed. Then she added an infrared lamp over the sore area & added an electrial pulser between a couple of the points to perform electroacupuncture. While all of this was “settling” she performed some tuning fork work. I find this really grounding & relaxing. (Acupuncture needles rarely bother me.)

{If you want to read more on acupuncture, this is a good quick read/reference: http://www.breathebalance.com/services/services.html }

She then took out the needles over my hip & did some hot stone massage over the area. Then she did some cupping, which I’ve been skeptical about in the past. However, I’ve had amazing recovery when its been done, so I’m pretty sold on it. (She uses the pump kind of cup rather than the flame kind!) She then removed the rest of the needles & had me flip facing up.

Because the groin injury is so close to the femoral artery, she didn’t put any needles in that area, but did apply some hot stones. She also inserted a couple of needles in “main points” along my right leg. One that she inserted immediately sent a “trigger” into my groin sore spot!

After this, I asked for some ear seeds. These are little metal balls “taped” over acupuncture points. By pressing them, you can work on your sore spots. She put two in that are just to release general stress & one for my hip. Its 4 hours later & the spot where the hip ear seed is is really sensitive, which ties into the hip being sensitive.

Likely I’ll need a couple of add’l sessions, but she suggested we see how it goes. She gave me a couple of safe IT band stretches & told me to take it easy for a couple of days. Honestly, after acupuncture, I tend to be a little charged up & then exhausted. (The exhaustion is coming on now.)

Good News! Diane encouraged me to come to yoga class tomorrow — even if I modify my practice from what she’s directing the class to do. I don’t like to ignore a teacher’s directives & always want permission. I find it rude when people come to a class & then “do their own thing.” Modifying is one thing; disrespecting a teach is another. Anyway,  I agree with Diane that I should go & do my best. Being in the studio space helps me a lot to relax & gain focus. I know I’ll be sad & frustrated not to kick it into high gear, but I’m focused on healing right now & will mediate on listening to my body & healing it!