Comments on: Accupuncture

By: S.C. Butler

S.C. Butler — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:45:57 +0000

Glad Pi’s fine. And that your back’s well enough we’ll be seeing you (fingers crossed) in Saratoga Springs.

I’ve never tried accupuncture, but I’m a big believer in physical therapy, of which accupuncture is one of the many variations. I’m not at all surprised it worked. The one thing you have to do, though, is keep doing the therapy. Have you got an exercise program you can get into once you’re recovered?

By: Christine Valada

Christine Valada — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:35:23 +0000

The winds have stopped blowing here in the San Fernando Valley. They stopped sometime last night. It’s unbelievably hot (90+) with your kind of humidity, but it’s much better for those who are fighting flame. We are hearing good news about containment, the possibility of cooler temperatures and higher moisture as we head into the weekend.

I’m glad to hear that Pi is doing well. I will go see the Arabian Prince tonight after my trip to the chiropractor. Because of the wind on Monday and dinner with Jack Dann last night, I haven’t been up to see him since Sunday, but Gayle and Zsuzsu have let me know he is o.k.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:04:58 +0000

I will be in Saratoga! Actually I’m much better today. All of a sudden in the middle of the afternoon the back relaxed. It’s still sore, but I’m no longer in agony. I’m actually contemplating riding Exact tomorrow though I may wait until Friday and one more treatment with Edan before I get on a horse again.

I had to get my teeth cleaned today, and when my dentist discovered that my GP still hadn’t called back, and saw how sore I was, he wrote me a perscription for valium. Now I’ll have them if something goes wrong again.

I sent the first pass manuscript back to Tor today. Now I just have to finish the short story for Thrilling Wonder Stories by end of day Tuesday, and everything is off my plate except the rewrite of book two in the Edge series.

By: Steve Stirling

Steve Stirling — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:43:22 +0000

Glad the acupuncture helped! Jan has used it too.

There’s nothing mystical about it, though the precise mechanisms are poorly understood as yet.

By: William H. Stoddard

William H. Stoddard — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:29:58 +0000

I’ve noticed one curious thing about alternative medicine. My previous doctor was Chinese, and his practice included some elements of Chinese medicine, largely focused on medicine and herbal treatments; my veterinarians have a practice that includes homeopathic and other alternative methods. When my previous doctor closed his practice to move to the south of China and practice there (which may be a comment on the state of American medical practice!), I asked him if he could recommend a new primary care provider whose approach was similar to his, and tried a visit to a woman who was on his list, who has a practice that includes several alternative practitioners as co-workers. I liked her, decided to stay with her, and in fact have referred a couple of friends to her. The thing with all three of these practitioners is that they actually talk with me. My roommate goes to a conventional practitioner, and I noticed that her communication style was much more clipped and directive, less explanatory and less two-way.

I think I’d rather have a doctor who talks with me, and uses some methods that strike me as a bit flaky, than one who’s rigorously scientific and uncommunicative. (And some of those alternative methods do provide genuine symptom relief, just as you report.) Of course, three data points aren’t enough to establish a conclusion, but they’re enough so that if I need to find another new practitioner I’m going to try another integrative practitioner first, and see if I also like their style.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:18:40 +0000

There is a limit beyond which I will not go — healing crystals, psychic healing, etc., but traditional medicine has seemed to support the effects of accupunture and it was a orthopedic surgeon who first sent me to a chiropractor to help cure my carpel tunnel. (I’m sure I just mangled the spelling of that. *sigh*)

I didn’t get to ride today. I’m working frantically on this IMPERIALS short story, and I guess a day spent in Albuquerque yesterday fatigued my back. I ran to the mail box drop and the market and my back was really twinging by the time I finished shopping. The horse is going to have to wait. Maybe until I get back from New York.