“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:23 (NIV)

Typically I tend to be a bit skeptical when it comes to trying new things. I’m not a risk taker by nature and rarely give in to fads, crazes or gimmicks. I’m rather jaded and somewhat cynical about things that are classified as cutting edge and state-of-the art and consider myself to be a “wait and see kind of girl.” I’m a firm believer in the old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

So no one was more surprised than me when I got talked into going to see an acupuncturist. I confess I’m completely in the dark about the ancient Chinese art of healing with needles. In fact, prior to my visit with the acupuncturist, sticking needles in my body on purpose fell into the category of stupid things to do before I die. I’m not a needle-phobe by any stretch of the imagination so the needle thing really didn’t scare me - much. I’ve given birth to three children after all - without the benefit of epidurals, mind you. And it’s nigh to impossible to survive natural childbirth without raising your pain threshold a few notches, you know? By the time a person reaches my age, (which is old enough to remember Howdy Doody and the Beatles but still too young to collect social security), the body has been subjected to its fair share of root canals, Pap smears, mammograms and blood tests so what’s to fear from some tiny little needles. Right? Throwing caution to the wind I thought, “What the heck, let’s give ‘er a go and try this acupuncture thing! You never know.”

I actually did no research on acupuncture before I had my first appointment, which may or may not have been a wise thing. I didn’t want to load my subconscious mind up with what this “miracle treatment” was supposed to do for me. I wanted to go in blindly with a “prove it to me” kind of attitude. It’s like when you read a story about someone with a rare disease whose only symptoms are muscle twitches and painful gas … by the time you finish reading the article you think, “Hey - I’ve had those symptoms,” and your brain somehow convinces you you’ve probably got the same disease. Or wait … is that only me? Anyway, I didn’t want acupuncture to be that way. I wanted an honest unbiased reaction to my first treatment.

I felt an immediate rapport with “Dr. John,” a gifted physician who’s been in the business of poking people with needles for 11 years. His desire to serve God by helping others with his gifts and talents calmed my fears instantly. “I’m just a tool,” he told me. With his gentle demeanor and caring bedside manner, I was putty in his hands, which made the needles seem less frightening and probably helped make the insertion of the needles somewhat easier. Or then again, maybe that extra layer of protective body fat I have made the needles slide in easier. Who knows?

Dr. John set aside a 2-1/2 hour block of time just for me, which is not something a “regular” doctor does in this day and age, so right away I was impressed with him. His first question to me was, “So what brings you here today … what are your health concerns and issues?” To which I replied, “how much time to do you have???” Seriously … I’ve got issues out the wazoo – too many to list in one appointment (or one blog post for that matter).

It goes without saying that a woman my age has acquired a few issues, don’t you know. Weight gain and the subsequent depression that piggy backs on that chronic complaint; old age aches and pains, thyroid issues, high blood pressure issues, receding gums, crows feet, weird skin thingies (oh wait, I think those are age spots), and of course, let’s not forget … surviving menopause without seriously maiming or injuring anyone! Pick one, Doc – any one, and we’ll start there!

After a lengthy question and answer period which brought me to tears as I confessed all of my ailments, concerns and worries (there really are a lot of them), Dr. John smiled and with a twinkle in his eye told me he was excited to get started with me. Maybe a little too excited to pierce my flesh with his magic needles if you ask me! I’m afraid my natural inclination to doubt reared its ugly head at that moment. Excited? But whatever for???

“Because I KNOW I can help you,” he grinned.

You’ve got to admire a healer who has absolute confidence in his skills and abilities and Dr. John fairly oozed with both. And the best part … Dr. John assured me acupuncture is a great tool for helping with weight loss – which for a woman like me is like winning the lottery. Needles for weight loss … heck yeah! Sign me up and use as many as it takes. Poke me till I look like a panicked porcupine!

I do want to go on record though, as saying it’s pretty hard to relax when someone is about to stab you with needles. It’s sort of like when your gynecologist asks you to scoot your bottom down to the end of the table and then says “Relax, Honey” as she’s forcing your knees apart and about to reach her arm up inside you all the way to your tonsils … It’s a LOT like that.

Somehow, relax I did though … eventually. The first few needles, which went into my forehead, were a “nails on a chalkboard” kind of feeling. You know how your face gets all scrunched up when you hear that sound? That’s the kind of reaction my face had. But thankfully, each needle got a little easier. All total, Dr. John used 22 needles on me, which is about an average number. He explained that each patient is different, depending on his or her health issues. Some patients need more needles … some need less. Forty-eight needles was the maximum he’d ever used on a patient, so I felt lucky to need less than half that amount.

I’m a card carrying member of the “what you don’t know can’t hurt you,” club so I vowed I’d keep my eyes closed throughout the whole process and not look at the needles. I didn’t need to see needles sticking out of my forehead and stomach or my arms and legs to know they were there. (Although when Dr. John left the room, I confess my curious nature got the best of me and I peeked. Oooooh – creepy!)

Not knowing what to expect with this treatment, I made good use of my time alone (maybe 30 minutes or more … I lost track of time … uh oh … is that supposed to happen?) I spent some time in prayer and meditation reflecting on why I have so many issues – both emotional and physical. Before I knew it, I was blubbering like a baby for no apparent reason. When the doctor returned to check on me (which he did at regular intervals) he asked if I’d been crying. (I think it was the mascara running into my ears that gave me away.) Embarrassed, I confessed I had, but admitted I wasn’t even sure why. The needles didn’t hurt and I wasn’t in pain. Maybe he stuck a needle in something that was directly connected to my tear ducts – I don’t know. The tears seemed to materialize all on their own. Apparently tears are fine during acupuncture and considered a good release. Dr. John assured me I was normal. Well that’s good to know.

When all was said and done, the needles were removed without me uttering nary a scream or a curse word. Needles without pain – go figure. Because I’d done no research though, I didn’t know what I was supposed to be feeling when I was done. Quite honestly, I was a little disappointed. I left there feeling pretty much like I had when I went in. No feelings of euphoria, no instantaneous weight loss. (Boy wouldn’t that have been nice?) Same old crows feet, gum tissue and age spots. No immediate change in anything. Bummer!

Even though I’m pretty sure acupuncture isn’t supposed to cure anything instantaneously … a girl can hope, can’t she? I did leave feeling very relaxed and I felt kind of like I’d just woken from a long nap and just a little on the foggy side. So I was very relaxed, to say the least.

The one thing acupuncture did do for me? It gave me a reason to hope. When I got home I finally did a little research on the subject. It turns out acupuncture dates back 3500 years and is part of the traditional medicine based on the Chinese theory of ‘Qi’ (prouounced “chi"). According to this theory, Qi is the force or energy that controls the mind and the body. It is believed to flow through pathways in the body called meridians.

Acupuncture points are points in the body where Qi can be stimulated to restore body system balance and health. Specific points are believed to stimulate specific organs and bodily functions.

(http://www.health-emark.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss.html)

Well who am I to argue with 3500 years worth of tried and true treatment? Will I be going back to the acupuncturist? If it will help me achieve optimum health and finally conquer my weight loss issues … you bet your needle nose, porcupine pointy quills I am! Poke me till I pop – skewer me like a shish kabob! If being stuck with needles will help me live a little longer or a little healthier – or heaven forbid, live with a little less of me, then sign me up. But, don’t take my word for it. This is just one woman’s opinion. I urge you to do your own research and seek out a qualified acupuncturist for yourself. Who knows … maybe a puncture really is worth a thousand words!

Thank you Lord for knowledgeable individuals who seek to serve you by using their gifts and talents to help others find healing and wholeness. I thank you for my willingness to try something new and I pray for success with this new treatment opportunity. It is my desire to serve you for as long as is humanly possible, and by taking care of my mind, my body and my spirit I pray that you will grant me a long and healthy life! In your name, I ask these things, Lord … Amen!