Pains and Needles

I had a very unusual experience today. I went for an acupuncture treatment to help with the pain from my neck that travels down my arm. I have seen this acupuncturist once before, when I was in severe pain. At that point I was in too much pain to benefit from anything. But I was impressed by how diligent the acupuncturist was in trying to relieve my pain and vowed to return when I was less hysterical.

I explained in a motor mouth manner, about how the drugs for the pain were making me hyper, talk too much, how either my foot or hand or something had to be tapping and my significant difficulty with focusing. I was lying face down on the table. He placed several needles in my arm, neck, hand and leg. He gave me a warm pat on my back saying he would return in a few minutes. At first the needles stung. The sting subsided and soon I began to feel a slow relaxation over take me. I could actually feel tension leave my various muscles, all without my prior knowledge or will. Even my thoughts slowed. I felt myself being swept away with it and went willingly.

When he came back he turned the needles and I asked if he had given me a relaxation needle. He said yes. I said it's working. He left again. Now as I moved into the relaxation, I felt my eyes well and I began to cry. Not sobs but tears. My mind focused in on something that was causing me upset. Then I had this singular clear thought. I have been focusing on healing my physical pain which is good, but I have this other pain to heal. It is still fresh and open, although well concealed. I had been denying how much hurt there was.

When he returned I asked him about the tears. He didn't say much. He doesn't really ever say much, he laughs at me, thinks I am funny. Got a big laugh when I explained that I didn't have anyone at home to stretch my neck. That I had got rid of him because he was a pain in the neck and look at me now. The cat can't stretch my neck I told him. He radiates this warmth and calm. After removing the needles, he asked if I noticed any other changes. I told him that my hand felt warmer as did my arm and I just felt so relaxed, blissed actually. He gave me an upper back and arm massage that included these strange snaps at the end of my fingertips, stretched my neck. He said to come back in a week. I feel compelled to return.