Neuro-Acupuncture

I've been getting acupuncture for three months and I love it. Half a year ago we didn't know what to do. I still didn't have full use of my right side back. There was nothing else the Medical Field could do, besides giving me Botox which I had for almost a year. And honestly, the Botox was working but it was just numbing my right side even more. So, that is when I decided I wanted to stop getting Botox and try something more natural.

That’s when I turned to acupuncture. My Mom found a place in New Mexico that specializes in stroke patients, people with MS, or other chronic central nervous systems disorders.

“Neuroacupuncture is a contemporary acupuncture technique integrating traditional Chinese needling methods and Scalp Acupuncture with Western medical knowledge of neurology, neuroscience, and neurological rehabilitation. Neuroacupuncture is an advanced skill, most effective in the treatment of acute and chronic central nervous system disorders, often producing remarkable results with just a few needles.” (www.neuroacupunctureinstitute.org)

We made a week-long appointment to go out to them towards the end of February. They do four-hour sessions, four days in a row. And while we were waiting, we started seeing Kim, an acupuncturist. Kim is very kind and knowledgeable. She can answer all types of questions such as “Why does my headache go away?” or “Will I ever reach full get-back-to-normalness?” She is a great lady, and she knows her shit. I just listen to her with wide eyes and say “Mhm, mhm” as she works on my entire body.

I go to Kim once a week, and it has helped me tremendously. I didn't start getting needles in my scalp til a little over two months ago. The first time I had it, I was a little overstimulated. They hurt going in, some of them she had to take out because the pain was terrible. But slowly and slowly, it’s getting better!

I didn't end up going to the Neuro Acupuncture Institute in New Mexico. But, I found out that they have recommendations on a map. So, my Mom looked and found someone in Phoenix.

Dr. Judita Griffin was my practitioner of Chinese Medicine, and let me tell you, I had the most wonderful/painful experience. I was with her for 2 hours. The first thing she did was bring me into her room, sit me down, and started putting needles in my scalp. And when I tell you, she put tons of them inside my scalp, seriously she put tons! I was a little nervous because I was scared it was going to hurt, but it didn't at all. The acupuncture I had done by Kim was Japanese, whereas this was Chinese acupuncture. Judita was also trained Neuro-Accupunture, it was very interesting and super cool!

After she put them all on my scalp, she started putting them in other places. For example, my left upper arm and hand. Then, she did Gua Sha on me. She did the Gua Sha on my neck. And let me tell you, that hurt.

Next, we did cupping. Cupping was intriguing. It hurt when she first stuck it to me, but then it went away. She put them all over me, starting at my feet and moving up through my neck.

Judita was amazing. She cared about if it hurt, she cared about how I was walking, and she cared about most importantly - how I am going to be in the future. She was truly a powerhouse, and I loved it! I am going down to see her over the next few months. So, I will keep you all updated!