I have been watching Jewel in the Palace episodes and found myself fascinated with acupuncture- how it seems simple and yet is able to treat complex illnesses, at times with immediate results at that- (well, at least in the drama), so when I was asked by my mother to accompany her to see an acupuncturist, I thought it would serve as educational to go along with her.
The Doctor or ‘한의사’ Han Eui Sa is said to be retired from over 40 years of practicing oriental medicine. Acupuncture for me is not something new in a sense for I’ve been introduced to it by my parents who would occasionally receive oriental medicine treatments or ‘침’ chim in Korean. In most cases, people with discomforts or with certain ailment would go seek an acupuncturist. I expected the doctor to feel my pulse on my wrist, which is the usual case, but instead he used a gadget which is supposed to detect your heart rate and other symptoms as well. It seemed odd: technology and oriental medicine hand in hand.J
He noted that my heart rate was higher than average- but I guessed it was the coffee I drank for breakfast that morning. 
He then got a metallic injection looking tool and showed me something like less than half an inch in length and thread like in appearance which he said was gold. That was what he used for acupuncture. I was pricked about 15 times and the gold is left inside. How weird is that? They should seem as if they’re not there at all- but apparently, the ones he ‘pricked’ on my hands, I could from time to time feel a sharp pain whenever I bump them or clap or press them- it was an actual ‘thorn in the flesh’.
A few minutes later I kept on burping it’s a relief since my digestive system is a bit slow in digesting food-I felt much better AND my sense of smelling got sharper- I’ve considered it somewhat dull before… :p
The thought that it was something permanent did cross my mind- unless, of course, I get a surgery to have them removed- But it is for the sake of health- and I guess it takes faith as well. I’m reminded of a great person who once wrote about having a thorn in the flesh- which acts as a reminder for him to keep himself grounded and not puffed up- It would serve as a weakness for only in weakness He is able to draw greater strength from the true source of power.
If when time comes I get way over my head, hopefully, I get to remember to prick myself by pressing hard the ‘thorns’ in my hands.
~summumbonum
The needles are left inside????!!! Ouch! As in, F-O-R-E-V-E-R? I thought they remove it after the session… Hope it’s not painful especially when it gets cold (oops, in Korea, IT IS COLD).
Woah! needles! I get goosebumps just thinking of that. But apparently it is very effective. Something I must try within my lifetime.
hi there!
i tried accupuncture in beijing. i was so stressed–i think my muscles tensed up. so the whole experience was not relaxing at all. boo hoo.
but i can’t deny that i am fascinated about the whole thing.
i’ve heard accounts from personal friends who tried it and it really helped them!
interesting to study but scary to experience it yourself. hahaha. so it’s really a wonder that you went through it.
The Fool
Hahaha. Noooo the needles are not usually left inside. that’s why summumbonum’s experience is one of a kind.
The Fool
Do you think your doctor knows how to do the ‘kiss of the dragon’ acupuncture from the jet li and jane fonda film? Is that fake or for real?
uhm…about the gold thorn, let’s pawn it. joke.
hehe…
Hello Hyper-Thyroid…
your comment just gave me a thought.
Summumbonum, since you have gold bits in your system, i wonder if you would set off an alarm if a gold detector were passed over you.
-The Fool
reply to Tahn:
Hi Tahn! I agree! needles!!!
You should definitely try it and…let us know how it went^^
reply to Hyper-Thyroid:
Oh no! Kiss of the dragon! In fact, I was ‘accupunctured’ right on the “kiss of the dragon” spot- Gosh~
reply to The Fool:
Hmmm, you’re right! Come to think of it, I can be pawned!
I definitely hope I won’t set off any metal detectors! So far… no such experience yet~