Acupuncture

Matt has had on and off back problems for about 13 years, since a high school football injury. The problem doesn't flare up often, but this past month, it has. It began with only slight pains here and there after a lot of walking or playing soccer, but last week, things got worse. On Monday and Tuesday nights, he couldn't sleep because of the pain, and walking for any distance was really out of the question. One of Amy's students helped us out at the pharmacy to get some anti-inflammatory medicine (his problem is a herniated disc). He began taking them immediately but also felt something more was needed. He considered a Cortisone shot; but after hearing of a friend who had spinal fluid leakage, he decided he would rather not get a shot near the spinal cord in China.

So, he figured... When in China, do as the Chinese do. There is an American doctor in our city who uses acupuncture to release muscle tension. So, on Thursday, we headed into the city to meet with him. He has a science background and doesn't necessarily believe in the "chi" and "flow of energy" that the Chinese claim is the key to acupuncture. But from a medical perspective, he says it does work by stimulating the nervous system and causing the muscles to relax.

Matt had acupuncture that day. He says there was no pain when the needles went into his back, but it was a little tender as the doctor moved the needles around to manipulate the sore muscles. In the end, he did feel a little better after. He has been able to sleep since then and isn't nearly as tight as he was. He returned yesterday for another treatment and will probably return twice more, as well.

Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts this week. We are fairly hopeful that this treatment; the meds and; of course, a special touch from above will do the trick.