Acupuncture, Training, & Obsessions

First let me start off by saying...Hello there...I've missed y'all.  There, now that that's out of the way I can tell you all about my acupuncture, training and current obsessions.

First an explanation....I cannot sit for long at all and that is why I have not been blogging much as of late.  I do love to blog, I do love my friends and followers....I just have to choose the day that pain is okay.  Today is a good day for pain...YOU ALL ARE WORTH IT.

My first acupuncture visit was really a first in every sense of the word.  I have never had acupuncture or massage or anything close to it so I was a bit (read extremely) nervous.  The atmosphere was very relaxing and smelled of eucalyptus, one of the best smells ever.  Kris (the acupuncturist) is a very tall, blond and blue eyed cutie and so nice.  He made me feel like I was visiting an old friend and I immediately relaxed. The visit itself was really not such a big deal and the needles are so small that you hardly feel them, it felt more like a mosquito biting me than someone sticking me with needles. Some of the needles I did not feel at all.

So I found a comfy overstuffed recliner, got comfy and then after receiving about 10-15 needles relaxed for about 45 minutes to the sound of Chinese flutes and chimes and the smell of eucalyptus. By the time it was over I was feeling extremely relaxed and hopeful.  Kris runs a community acupuncture clinic and only charges $20 a visit and if you pay for 3 visits he waives the $15 intake fee. This man is a godsend to anyone who is fortunate enough to live in this area.  Although his office is about a 40 minute drive from where I live, it's worth it.  

I am feeling a difference in the time it takes to feel pain and the intensity of that pain is lessened, so again I am feeling hopeful.  It's not all better but it is moving in the right direction.  I had my third visit yesterday and it was a bit different.  We did a direct stimulation treatment instead of the normal treatment.  I had to lay on my stomach on a table  with a sheet over my bottom half, Kris then poked my back and hips with his thumbs and when he found a sore spot he would mark it with a pen.  After all the prodding and poking came the needles, it was a bit unnerving because it was my back, spine and butt/legs...tender skin equals more pain.  It really wasn't too bad, except for a couple of spots, all went well.  

Until the electricity came in...he hooked one of the needles up to a machine or something that sends an electrical current into your body....hahaha...fun.  So then he leaves the room and promises to come running if I scream.  As I'm laying there praying to God that I don't get electrocuted, I feel my butt muscles spasm and have to bite my lip not to laugh.  It just feels odd and funny and uncomfortable...all at the same time.  

Well I survived and feel better so I think that we will continue with that treatment for now. Luckily sciatica pain is his specialty and he has about a 90% success rate, as not everyone is completely healed but he says even then they have an 80% decrease in symptoms.  There are always the 20% that have need for surgery etc and they will not be cured through acupuncture.

Now on to training...

Running is going well, except for that 12.5 mile run two weeks ago, the sciatica hasn't been a real problem.  It's always there in the back ground mind you, but it hasn't caused me too many stops where I have to stretch before I can continue to run.  Unfortunately last Saturdays run was just not a good run, I rarely have those days but every once in awhile it happens.  

I started out with a sore back and sore leg/butt muscles so that may be why, who knows.  It wasn't a horrible run but I had to stop and start a lot more than I wanted.  It wasn't sciatica pain though, it was sore back and leg/hip pain. I made it through and was happy to be home.

My exercise as of late...

Monday July 8th

• Arc Trainer 60 minutes

Tuesday July 9th 

• Ran 47 minutes (4.1 slow miles)

Wednesday July 10th

• Ran 55 minutes (5 miles)

Thursday July 11th

• AMT 20 minutes
• Bike Trainer 30 minutes

Friday July 12th

• Cleaning Susan's 2 Story house

Saturday July 13th (the not so good run mentioned above)

• Ran 117 minutes (9.66 slow miles)
• High Step-ups with 10lb weights 10 minutes

Sunday July 14th

• Bike Trainer 44 minutes (10 miles)

Monday July 15th

• Rest Day

Tuesday July 16th

• Ran 46 minutes (4.1 slow miles)

Weight loss...3.2lbs for a total of...

 



My current obsessions...

1. Twitter @Shananagins2468 (friend/tweet me)
2. Chocolate animal crackers (what's not to love)
3. Diet Pepsi (I know, I know...bad)
4. Russell Stover Big Bites dark chocolate smore's ('nuff said)
5. Watermelon (refreshing and sweet)
6. The Tour de France (very obsessed w/this)
7. Morningstar Grillers California Turk'y burger (nom nom)

What are your current obsessions?
 
Have a blessed week y'all...hugs and blessings.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.