Goal Accomplished - Acupuncture

My first accomplished goal may be the most important to me right now, which is why I didn't waist any time getting to it. We are ready to have another baby and have been trying for nearly 7 months but things haven't been going very smoothly on my end. I have been having some ovulation issues. When I approached my OB/Gyn she automatically wanted to prescribe fertility drugs without much discussion. Derrick and I already discussed that we didn't want to force my body through drugs that could potentially harm me. So after some research, we found a more holistic way to go about it, acupuncture and herbs. Chinese medicine has been proven effective for over 3000 years. I figured why not give it a try. If it doesn't work then at least I won't be harmed or negatively altered by it (meaning awful mood swings, depression, etc.); the same type of thinking that I had when I decided to have my placenta encapsulated. Even if it's just a placebo and I feel better afterwards, it still worked.

So today we had our first appointment. When we walked in, the office smelled of a pretty medicine cabinet if you will. Not like Tylenol mixed with perfume but rich with a deep almost incense smell but more green (herbs of course). It was decorated with Asian inspired furniture in a way that I would think is Feng Shui - everything symmetrical and in order. Vivian found a giant jar with marinating root vegetables and snake skin. The herb room was off to the right. There was easily over 100 barrels of different herbs all labeled with Chinese Characters.

We were called back to the room after a few minutes. The nurse was very thorough which was a positive difference from any other doctor I had been to. She asked very detailed questions and wrote everything down. Then Dr. Lam came in. He has been practicing Chinese Medicine, mainly acupuncture, for 35 years. I reminded him that we were not taking fertility drugs and asked if that decreases the effectiveness. He reassured that it wouldn't, in fact, the more natural the easier. He was very optimistic and confident. I felt at ease.

Dr Lam had me get comfy on the table, face up. As he was inserting each needle starting at my knees working down to my toes and then to my fingers, he described, in Chinese and English, what each point was and how it will effect me and my body. I wish I had a notebook and paper or a voice recorder handy. I don't remember all the details but he targeted my stomach, kidney, liver, spleen, and of course my Qi (pronounced chi). He said that the body is like a blender, it needs something in it in order to do its job. My blender was on but nothing was in it so the points that he targeted were to help my blood, hormones and Qi make their way to my blender. Sounds silly but it's nice when a doctor can break down something complicated into a metaphor you can relate to and understand. The last needle (number 13) went into my 'third eye', the top of my noes between my eyes. This was to help me relax and release tension and stress. I know I needed that one. He placed a warm lamp (that didn't have light) over my belly to draw all the good stuff that was now flowing through me to my reproductive system. He turned the lights out and left me in the room with soft music for about 20 minutes. When he was inserting the needles I didn't feel it but there were two points that were tingly and itchy for a while, one on my right toe and one on my left finger. Apparently this is one of the sensations of the 'arrival of energy' or Qi.

Well after being with my thoughts for 20 minutes he came back in to remove the needles. He topped it off with an upper neck and head massage using herbal oils. It was a great experience. I was full of energy afterwards.

I have another appointment next week for more acupuncture and my herbal blend, which Dr. Lam says will taste disgusting but I have to use it. 'No problem,' I said.

Now all we need is time and love. ♥