Today I tried acupuncture and cupping for the first time. I have been wanting to try acupuncture for years but I have a low pain tolerance and feared it would be too painful (it wasn’t).
I’m currently in a place in my life where I am willing to try various different things to maintain my wellness and heal my body. Trauma is held in the body and manifests in many ways. I had a friend tell me they think those who have experienced trauma/have ptsd should describe their illnesses in trauma patterns, such as “fibromyalgia, ptsd, ocd trauma pattern.” I thought that was really interesting. None the less, when considering how we heal the body (including the mind, as it is NOT separate from the body), we should consider many different interventions.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a year ago but ever since I’ve been grieving the loss of my mother, I have felt so much emotion in my body. It’s important to see black people trying to heal themselves and I think it’s helpful to see real people talk about it. Especially as a therapist. I think about how Toni Morrison said to write what you you can’t find essentially, I want to post and be present on social media in the way I wish I saw when I google shit. When I google acupuncture, I want to know what it looks like for a regular smegular black girl, what it feels like, etc. So, point of this post is to share experience with acupuncture and cupping today.
So, the experience is the same as a massage where you disrobe down to your undies and have a sheet on you. But first you talk of course. Fern was really great and was very welcoming and warm, very knowledgeable and a good listener. We discussed my symptoms and then I laid down and she started with the acupuncture. It feels like lil pricks and then…I personally felt a lil whoosh. Mm. I need a better word than that but I am using it now. It feels kind of uncomfortable but in a good way. She then did a heat therapy on my stomach, I actually don’t remember the exact name but it’s warmth and feels great. I got on my back and she did the cupping. That feels like warm suction. She moves the cups a little and did it about twice. I loved the cupping actually.
Obviously, I am just sharing my experience and quick thoughts. I encourage you to google both and do your research. I feel incredibly relaxed today, my body feels…different. A release/relief of sorts. I definitely was in a super calm place after, that’s a bit gone just cause I think the day is going on. I am a little sore around my neck but overall good. If you do any of this I would recommend deep breathing/5-7 breathing while it’s done. That helped me remain grounded in my body.
This is possibly not the experience of all acupuncture services but this is mine, hope it helps. Like I said, I will be going back. I will do another post on it.