My Care Team
In an earlier post, I wrote about the ways the universe will test our belief system when we are ready to level up and make changes to our lives. I was experiencing a dental emergency that came with unforeseen expenses during the holiday season. However, things didn’t end there. I was also experiencing tingling sensations in my extremities. At first, I thought it was a pinched nerve, but then I grew concerned as new symptoms appeared. This led me down a rabbit hole of fear! I managed to publish one more post shortly after and then this blog went dark.
There was no real explanation for what I was experiencing. All tests, lab work, and imaging came back normal. I was grateful to know all the serious issues were ruled out, but on the other hand, I wanted a resolution. At the risk of seeming like a hypochondriac, I switched gears and began searching for alternative medicine practitioners who could help me. One Tuesday morning in February, after a night of insomnia and panic attacks, I scheduled an appointment with an acupuncturist who was able to squeeze me in that same day. I continued seeing her for the next twelve consecutive weeks.
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used to treat pain. It can be used for its weight loss benefit, to manage stress, and I even learned it can be used to give you a natural face lift!
I am forever grateful for my Acupuncturist! I came to her in tears, because I was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. I told her about the paresthesia and tightness around my neck. She assured me that I would be okay and asked me to stick this out to see the improvements. For twelve consecutive weeks, I showed up to my appointment and explained to her my concerns for the week. Just by feeling my muscles, looking at my ears, or my tongue, she could find other imbalances occurring in my body and would treat me accordingly. She addressed my diet, my posture, and she even gave me physical therapy style exercises to help rehabilitate my weak muscle.
I used to feel proud of myself for having a high pain tolerance, but by the end of my treatment, if I felt pain, I let it be known instead of tolerating it like I used to. I learned through this experience that pain is our body’s way of communicating something is wrong. Under her care, my symptoms improved, my mood improved, and slowly I began to come back to my joyful self. Once I began to improve – physically and emotionally, I reduced my frequency and returned to physical therapy.
For years, I experienced chronic pain in my lower back, but I assumed it was residual pain from getting hurt as a teen, years of working on my feet, or just “getting older.”
In 2022, while performing at a weekend long salsa event, I found myself experiencing pain in my foot the day after my performance. The next day, I went back to the event and noticed one of the vendors was a physical therapist. I rushed to her table and tried to make an appointment, but her calendar was full. I made an appointment promptly following the event. At my initial visit, she provided me with relief after years of chronic pain. I noticed the discomfort I had grown used to was completely gone. Walking felt lighter and smoother. I had forgotten what that was like!
Fast forward to the last two months, I have been seeing her regularly to assess my shoulder. With her guidance, I was able to return to the gym and work on my mind-body connection to strengthen the weak muscle.
I have done acupuncture before and cupping, but I was growing interested in learning more about eastern medicine such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s fascinating to me how they seem to have answers and resolutions for symptoms that most doctors dismiss or diagnose as the cause being stress.
Over the years, I’ve become discouraged by doctors and the insurance companies for limiting doctor’s ability to provide optimum care for patients. I have watched friends get diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses. Even when you try to advocate for yourself, you are met with resistance. While I do respect doctors, we know our bodies better than anyone else. I have decided to advocate for myself by turning to other professionals who are willing to take me on as a client to help heal me. Instead of using my energy to grow frustrated with the system, I acknowledge the system is flawed, and I turn my sights to other resources.
The landscape is changing. There are now companies that offer membership services to make it more affordable and accessible to patients interested in functional medicine providers. If your insurance offers ‘out-of-network’ benefits and you are comfortable with the fees associated, you may receive a reimbursement by submitting an insurance claim. The options are out there, we just need to do our research and choose to invest in ourselves. These professionals are servicing their community so we can all live longer, healthier lives.
