Most of us have been in a place where an injury, a random pain, a chronic condition or just plain ole life has us wondering- what can I do differently to relieve  (insert symptom)? How can I change XYZ? For me, that came when my migraines became very debilitating.  I no longer was receiving any relief from my medication.  I was missing a lot of work which had significant implications on my livelihood.  I needed some sort of change.  I had hit a wall and was desperate. At that moment, a friend suggested acupuncture. Acupuncture?!?! Inserting needles for health? Sounded weird to me but I was willing to try something new.

I went to my first appointment. Asked too many questions.  Felt the difficulty in being still in a quiet treatment room. Despite all of that, I left feeling more relaxed and had no idea why. With each treatment, my relaxation lasted longer and my migraines were under control. For me, it was a process of learning what was happening with my body and how to prevent symptoms with some lifestyle changes (i.e. a very difficult withdrawal from ice cream and sweets).  I even learned qigong which was  just as strange, if not stranger than acupuncture. It all helped and continues to be my anecdote for illness, stress and even fatigue.

What I noticed through my process is that sometimes a large obstacle or a pain in the head (neck, back or anywhere else) is the perfect impetus to try something new. When you feel like you have no other options, trying something new may feel empowering. It could be as easy as eliminating certain trigger foods, adding a different exercise routine, incorporating meditation, eating less processed foods, etc.  If you have never tried, you will never know.

The other important piece of this health equation is patience. Healing can take time. One week of something new probably won’t yield the life changing results you are seeking. When you think about it, we all have spent a month, year or even a lifetime creating our pathologies.  It’s as if you have to retrain your body with the exercise of healing.

Health is never a destination. It is a journey that requires many tune ups along the way.   It can feel like a vacation that refreshes and reconnects us to our life. At other times, it can present as an overwhelming trek that leaves us feeling tired and sore.

In a world where texts fly, emails seem relentless and cell phones buzz incessantly, we forget that change can be slow. Healing can be arduous. Sometimes we have no other choice but to search for a different path to healing. Sometimes you just have to try something new.

*** Acupuncture, diet changes and exercise should not replace any medical treatment and care you are receiving. Please consult your doctor before making any changes.***