Had my First acupuncture session today-- Questions..!!..Advice needed!!

[Guest guest]

Oops, I ment to say LI (Large Intestine) 4 Meeting valley, not LV4! sorry!

 

On 10/15/05, JH <> wrote:

>

> Hi, I'm new to the mailing list and I'd like to ask some questions about

> acupuncture.

>

> So, I just had my first acupuncture session today, and the area on the

> front of my left shin started to have this numb/hurting sensation after the

> treatment.

> I'm thinking this may be related to the few points that around the leg

> that my acupuncturist did for me. The ones on the feet are:

> UB 40 Command Center

> SP 10 Ocean of Blood

> SP 6 Three Yin Interchange

> First, I'm a little concerned because for the pain/numb sensation that I

> have on the front part of my left shin, that was where I also noticed that

> there was a drop of blood on the spot on top of my knee for one of the

> points acupuncture points. So the one with that drop of blood noticed was

> the leg with the pain sensation now. It is kinda like muscle ache, like what

> you feel when you pulled a muscle, not strong pain, just sore and numb, you

> know? Is this normal will it go away?

>

>

> Second, I also noticed that he told me that one on top of the knee is

> supposed to be SP 10 Ocean of Blood, but shouldn't that be near the side of

> the knee.. not directly in front with one inch above knee cap, shouldn't it?

> ***How much does these acupuncture point should vary from the standard

> diagrams and versus different people?

>

> Third, this also applies for the point, LV 4-- Meeting Valley that he did

> for me. I noticed that the two spots on my left and right is not really at

> the same spot-- there is like half an inch to almost an inch difference for

> each one on my hand, does that work still? Is there like an approximate area

> of like half to an inch diameter for all acupuncture points that still work?

> And shouldn't it be symmetrical for both sides of the body?

>

> Fourth, and lastly, is it normal to still have a small red dot on the spot

> that was acupunctured, how big should it be, and how long should it be for

> it to go away normally?

>

>

> Any advice would help alleviate my concerns... Thank you!!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jan,

 

I am only a first year acupuncture student so please

keep in my mind my limited knowledge. My daughter (7

years old) had over 100 treatments, so what I know

also comes from observing her treatments.

First of all, I am surprised that you know the points

and their names. I have never seen an acupuncturist

describing/discussing the points with the patient! Is

this acupuncturist your personal friend?

 

Second, the points are not always symmetrical. The

same point can be needled from different directions

because the points are NOT on the skin, but underneath

the skin. I saw different styles when the same point

is accessed from the direct needles and from the side,

it looks like two different positions on the skin but

the needle point in the same spot, more or less. The

points can also be felt in slightly different

positions but in the general anatomical vicinity, so

being off by a little bit is very common. Your

acupuncturist probably " felt " the points there. I am

taught to locate the point using anatomical landmarks,

then palpate until finding the actual point.

 

The remaining redness is a sign that a point is still

active. I have never seen remaining redness though

beyond a minute or two during treatment, but I or my

daughter have never been needled deeply. It can also

be a sign of a bruise developing which is common if a

blood vessel was punctured. A small drop of blood is

very normal, we have tiny blood vessels throughout the

skin.

 

As for numbness, I am not sure, sounds like the nerve

was involved. I never had this experience and neither

did my daughter. Maybe someone more experienced can

answer here.

Hope this helps somewhat.

 

Lola, acupuncture student started in Sep'05

--- <> wrote:

 

> Hi, I'm new to the mailing list and I'd like to ask

> some questions about acupuncture.

>

> So, I just had my first acupuncture session today,

> and the area on the front of my left shin started to

> have this numb/hurting sensation after the

> treatment.

> I'm thinking this may be related to the few points

> that around the leg that my acupuncturist did for

> me. The ones on the legs are:

> UB 40 Command Center

> SP 10 Ocean of Blood

> SP 6 Three Yin Interchange

> First, I'm a little concerned because for the

> pain/numb sensation that I have on the front part of

> my left shin, that was where I also noticed that

> there was a drop of blood left on the spot on top of

> my knee for one of the points acupuncture points

> after removal of the needle(SP10 I think). So the

> one with that leg with was actually the one with the

> pain sensation now. It is kinda like muscle ache,

> like what you feel when you pulled a muscle, not

> strong pain, just sore and numb, you know? Is this

> normal and if so, how long before it will go away?

>

>

> Second, this also applies for the point, LI 4--

> Meeting Valley that he did for me. I noticed that

> the two spots on my left and right is not really at

> the same spot-- there is like half an inch to almost

> an inch difference for each one on my hand, was that

> okay still? Is there like an approximate area of

> like half to an inch diameter for all acupuncture

> points that still work? Cos shouldn't it be

> symmetrical or both sides of the body?

>

> How much does these acupuncture point should vary

> from the standard diagrams and versus different

> people? I noticed that the SP10 that he did was near

> the center, not off to the side like some diagram on

>

http://www.yinyanghouse.com/acupoints/sp_meridian.html

> says. It mentioned vastus medialis for that point's

> " description " link though, so is that actually okay?

>

> Third, and lastly, is it normal to still have a

> small red dot on the spot that was acupunctured, how

> big should it be, and how long should it be for it

> to go away normally?

>

>

> Any advice would help alleviate my concerns...

> Thank you!!!

>

> -Jan

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005

 

[Guest guest]

Hello, I often lurk on this list but have seldom answered. In this

case however, I must insert my own comments. I studied acupuncture

in China and my professor actually said that if the patient does NOT

feel the needling sensation then it is useless... I realize that

there are some people who would say that needling sensation or

arrival of qi is just an excuse for the needle hitting the nerve. In

fact, patients in China KNOW that you are supposed to feel the

arrival of qi and will tell you frankly, " hey, I don't feel anything "

 

 

I wish relate a personal experience. I was being treated by a fellow

acupuncturist for gastritis and intestinal cramping. Among the

points used was Stomach 37 and 39, lower he-sea points for the small

and large intestine. Now, in my arms, only Large Intestine 4 was

used. There was no needle even NEAR the small intestine meridian.

No needles remotely near the pathway of the ulnar nerve, or any

arteries or veins along the arm.

 

The treatment began with the the needling sensation, which subsided

after a few minutes. 10 minutes after the needles were left without

stimulation, I could actually feel some numbing ALONG the SMALL

INTESTINE meridian. The numbing eventually changed into a feeling of

something flowing outwards, more strongly felt on the right arm.

Obviously, a different explanation other than the idea of the needles

striking a nerve is necessary. This, according to the ancients, is

the flow of qi along the channels.

 

Also, do not worry if the point locations seemingly do not follow the

diagram. Acupuncturists should not blindly follow the diagram. What

the acupuncturist looks for is anatomical landmarks or proportional

measurements, meaning that the exact location may vary from person to

person. For example, Urinary Bladder 40 is supposed to be " in the

midpoint " of the crease behind the knee. Yet it is also said to be

between the two tendons. In some patients, this point between two

tendons is NOT at the midline. So we adjust accordingly.

 

acupuncture , Park Michael <reservexo>

wrote:

>

> Feeling the the Qi, the sensation, awakening the

> meridian is so misused it is pitiful. Person needling

> will feel the Qi or etc... but the person receiving

> the needle should not feel pain, electricity, or

> sensation. It just means that the needle struck a

> nerve, vain etc... Pain may be felt when the needle

> first hits the skin but after penetration all

> pains,electricity, or sensations are suppose to

> disappear. The nonsense of pain, electricity,

> sensation is a easy way for acupuncturist who do not

> needle properly. If your pain/numbness from from

> needling you would of felt great deal of pain when you

> were getting your treatment. If you did you should of

> let your doctor know and if you did not feel the pain

> during treatment than it means your pain/numbness has

> nothing to do with your treatment. Please note, no

> pain, electricity or sensation should be felt while

> the needle is retained. If you feel any discomfort

> let you doctor know, because it is hitting a nerve or

> a vain etc...