(This is a re-post from August 12 because I deleted the entry! Ooops! But I would like to go back.)
How I did it: I looked into acupuncture several weeks ago. It only took so long because I am a lazy procrastinator. And cheap. Once I decided I would go, I made the appointment for the next day. So, 2 days if you are not a lazy procrastinator :) And probably some follow up visits, because you will love it.
I found a student clinic in our area that only charged $20 as opposed to $65 for the professional. Very cool. I was worried at first about having a student, but she was very competent. I felt minimal discomfort from the needles. Less than a mosquito bite. She spent quite a long time before starting asking me detailed questions and made a very personalized treatment. I was thoroughly impressed.
The student clinic room has four beds separated by dividers, but I was the ony one there at the beginning. If privacy is an issue for you (I wasn’t naked!) then you may want to pay more for a private room.
I went in for fatigue/sleeplessness. I already feel more alert! Plus they gave me a strange concoction of herbs to try out for the next week ($7). To be honest, it tastes like a glass of mushroom-treebark. I’ll report back after I try to get some sleep tonight :) Plus, she recommended I come in weekly for the next three weeks. This is medical care, not pointy-overnight-miracle-cure.
Lessons & tips: Look for training clinics in your area if you are cheap. If you are afraid of needles, I promise it hurts less than a mosquito!
The initial visit will take longer than subsequent visits. They also will not see you if you have not previously discussed your issues with your doctor/chiropractor, at least not at the clinic I visited.
Resources: In Austin:
White Crane, part of Austin Oriental Medicine Academy: http://www.aoma.edu/patients/
Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
http://www.texastcm.edu/studentclinic.html
