Acupuncture

(So you guessed it - I got a stunt double, a Gibbon, if you will, to pose for an acupuncture photo.)

Today is a little over 4 days since the start of my 8th round of chemo. I'm starting to bounce back from it, although we had our first big snow storm here and now the neuropathy occurs more often and more easily rears its head. The cold snow on the ground gives me painful tingling in the feet. Bad noooze. But liveable - for 8 more weeks.
Luckily I am getting acupuncture on my hands and feet to counter its total effects.

Acupuncture is a medical treatment that is 5000 years old.

For many weeks now I have been going to see Dr. Lee, a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, to treat the neuropathy that usually accompanies the chemo that I'm on. The Oxaliplatin causes extreme tingling in the hands and feet, and also causes an extreme pain reaction to cold temperatures. There are days when I don't want go into the refrigerator to get anything because it is too cold. Luckily, the acupuncture makes this reaction short-lived and temporary. (There are many reports of this neuropathy setting in and lasting for an undetermined number of months and even years after chemo ends. That fear has been a big issue for me all along.) I get the neuropathy for minutes at a time, or only when touching something cold, but only during the week of chemo. Other than that it goes away. And I hope it stays away.

Let me tell you, yes that is my hand. If you have never done it before, the needles don't hurt at all. And I usually fall asleep or at least into a relaxed state when they are applied. They stay in for 30 minutes at a time and I only go once a week. But it works.

Other acupuncture that I have done at the same time has alternated between different points on my neck and head, for a boost to my immune system when needed, or the stomach, for an increase in energy. Some of the points are for the liver as well (Those points are located on my feet and called Liver 3.) I had some needles in my knees once which promote circulation.

There is much to say about the theory and science behind acupuncture. I learned a little about it. This much I know just from reading here and there... It has been shown to be beneficial for many ailments. How it works however is not entirely known. Basically the needles act as a stimulus to influence physiological functioning of the body. There is an energy flowing throughout the body called Qi. When the flow of this energy is blocked, insufficient, or otherwise suppressed, then illness can occur. Qi travels throughout the body in channels, and at specific points, these channels come up to the surface of the skin, where acupuncture needles can access them. The acupuncture restores the flow.

Acupuncture raises various hormones and white blood cell counts, although it is not known how this occurs. It is also known to successfully treat a variety of diseases, illness, and injury. So far it has worked for me and the neuropathy that is associated with Oxaliplatin.

Dr Lee is at Chinese Healing Art, 1854 Clavey Rd, Highland Park, IL. Tel: 847-831-1609.