Accupuncture observed

MD Anderson offers myriad options for cancer patients, including many free classes to help both the mind and the body as well as additional services for a "nominal fee." Josh took advantage of one of those Tuesday afternoon: accupuncture. "Keep an open mind," Josh told himself, but he still gave me crazy looks as the points to enter the needles were identified based on Josh's areas of pain.

"Stick out your tongue....hmmmmm."
"Let me check your pulse." "Now your other hand." "Hmmmmm."
"You are so young. Only 38 years old. And with two kids 13 and 11 - you started very young!"

Diagnosis: too much dampness and flem in his body.
Treatment: Remove this dampness and flem through key points to help him not feel so weighted down and tired.

Josh lies on the table with a pillow under his head and under his knees. The accupuncturist presses a blunt stick into a pressure point in his leg and asks him to tell her when he feels a sharp pain. Pain point found, mark it with a red Sharpie (interestingly the same kind Josh always uses to label each piece of wood to keep track of it during the build process). Repeat for the other leg, both arms and the ears. End result: 5 needles in the right ear, 4 in the left, 2 in each arm and 2 in each leg.



Now rest for 20 minutes with the lights down low and a heat lamp on his feet (which always get cold without socks on). Then out come the needles and we're done. Josh expresses no immediate effects. Before we go, I get a primer on how to give an ear massage which is apparently the equivalent of a full body massage.

Next we wait to see if there is any impact.