03/25/2024
I recently experienced the power of acupuncture when I had a small accident. While getting out of my car, my friend's dog leapt on me, causing me to fall backward while the car door swung shut. My thumb became latched in the door compressing the soft tissue completely to the bone.
After holding my injured thumb in the nearby snow bank until I was out of shock, I drove home to do emergency acupuncture. My thumb was completely numb, white like bad frostbite, and had no blood flow. With acupuncture feeling returned immediately, and quite unpleasantly. I could feel the nerve pain, and pressure against my thumb, but no touch sensations. A trip to the ER confirmed nerve damage, but no broken bones. The Dr. suggested I get a referral to a hand surgeon for nerve damage if needed.
The second day after the accident, I had a return of almost complete numbness, with no pain sensations. I gave myself acupuncture again (and sword loudly when sensation returned). This treatment restored both the pressure and pain sensations (photos below).
This morning, Day 3, I awoke, petted my cat, and for the first time since the accident, I could feel his soft fur, and the excruciating nerve pain is gone!
Acupuncture is amazing at shortening the healing time of acute injuries by increasing the flow of Qi and blood, reconnecting the acupuncture channel pathways, and in relieving pain.
One of my favorite clinical modalities is orthopedic acupuncture. I love my job, watching clients recover from traumatic injuries, and experiencing the power of this medicine “first hand”. If you have any questions about orthopedic acupuncture, please reach out!
