So I got hooked up to an electrostimulation machine for the first time on Tuesday at the Poke Clinic. I'm pretty terrified of getting electrocuted (which is rather funny because I actually have never been electrocuted), so I broke into a cold sweat when my acupuncturist explained what they were going to do.
The purpose of it is to make the acupuncture "work better" by running a microcurrent between two needles. It seems a little pseudosciency, but they say it makes for a stronger "energetic connection" between the two points.
They did the procedure with me face-down on the table (probably a good idea so I wouldn't get freaked out by all the wires). My acupuncturist inserted a couple of needles into my back and calves. Then her assistant clipped these wires to the needles. I had a region on my left back, one on my right back, one on my left leg, and one on my right leg.
The assistant then turned the machine on and started turning a dial very slowly. She told me to let her know when I felt a tingling sensation. It took about a minute or two of her upping the dial to feel it, which is a little mentally taxing when you're waiting for a sensation you've never felt before.
But once I felt it, it was really weird. The first feeling was of my muscles tightening up, but I think that was due to nerves. And then I did feel a slight tingle in the area she was stimulating. Once I felt that, she moved on to another region and started fiddling with the dials to stimulate the next area. Again, it took another minute or two, which was also stressful since one part of me was tingling, and I was trying to focus on feeling another part of myself tingle.
Anyway, eventually she got all four areas of me buzzing. She left a bell for me to ring her if I needed anything, and then I was left to "cook" or maybe "microwave" (haha) for about 20 minutes. It was harder to zone out or fall asleep with estimming because I was so aware of the sensations, but after a while, my body adjusted to it, and I actually couldn't feel it anymore.
And then at the end, they came in, turned the machine off and removed the needles. I didn't realize how nervous I was until I got up and noticed how much I was sweating. It really wasn't bad at all, even enjoyable in a certain light, and I'm glad I got to try something new - especially something that scared me.
I have this fantasy of one day telling my future child(ren) about the lengths I went through to have them. Not to make them feel guilty or anything, but to demonstrate how wanted they were. Getting poked with needles on a regular basis, being wanded by doctors...now I get to add electrocution to the list!
Wow, that sounds pretty cool! I hope it works!
ReplyDeleteWhat is it that it is actually supposed to DO? 'Balance hormones'?
When I was seeing a chiropractor for low back pain. I had muscle stimulation but it was done by connecting the current to pads (kinda like a 2x2 bandaid) stuck to my lower back... I wonder if the sensation is the same? It's going to be neat to show your kiddos how badly you worked for them though!!!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie - It's supposed to "make the Clomid more effective," as well as dispel all the "excess heat" created by the Clomid.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see...
Samantha - They actually said it was similar to a chiropractic machine, but I've never been to a chiro. Maybe that'll be next on my list if none of this works out the way I want it to!
That's so interesting. I'm not familiar with acupuncture per say (although I know it deals with needles and stuff lol).
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize they electrocuted people too!
WOW! That is a different type of accupuncture than I have ever heard of. Hope it works for you.
ReplyDeleteICLW #33