Accupunture - a Man's Perspective

Ok, first off, I'm the type of man that you could say is open to alternative medicine. I have gone to a chiropractor, I have researched homeopathic remedies on everything from panic attacks to allergies and I've always wanted to try acupuncture. Something about Chinese methodology just appeals to me. So, that being said, here's my take on acupuncture.

This past Saturday I made my way over to the Acupuncture Center of Richmond. As I walked in I  automatically felt relaxed as the waiting room is adorned with Chinese ornaments and waterfalls. As the session started, owner and acupuncturist, Monte, informed me that he could tell 90 different things about me from looking at my tongue and feeling my pulse. I immediately became embarrassed and hoped that 2 of those 90 things did not include the fact that I have not had sex in 83 days and I had not changed my underwear prior to the visit.  He then put needles in my skin; starting with my hands, lower arms, feet, lower legs and then to my face.  The last place was the ear. Monte informed me that in acupuncture the ear  is a whole other practice of acupuncture, and described it as an up-side-down fetus. Up to this point, I barely felt the needles, but I definitely felt them in my ear. They did not  hurt, but I definitely felt a sensation. When he was done inserting the needles he put a heat lamp on my feet, turned out the light and turned up the music. After leaving me to relax for a period of 25 minutes, which actually felt like 2 minutes, he came back in to remove the needles. He came back in with his another acupuncturist  who massaged my neck and shoulders as the needles were removed. I was completely de-stressed and felt a level of relaxation that I have never felt without the use of illegal substances.

dmon:  Is acupuncture gaining popularity?
Monte: YES!  More and more people are seeking out alternative medicine. I think people are looking for something a little less "deadly" these days. Such as in some western medicines. I can't believe some people want to take some of these things. You see the commercials where some of the side-effects are death...what is that?

dmon:  Would you consider the treatment a medical or spiritual procedure or a mixture of both?
Monte:  Both, we treat the soul as well; the shen. You have some people that come in and you can just tell that their shen is disrupted. Through the shen, we treat the body.

dmon:  Can anything be treated with acupuncture?
Monte: Yes, sometimes it's used in conjunction with western medicine. As with cancer,  it's used to help heal after chemotherapy treatments.

dmon: What ailments or disorders are most commonly treated by your center?
Monte: Pain; a lot of people think acupuncture is just for pain, chronic diseases like MS, or lupus; We do fertility for women and other women's ailments.

dmon: What is your weirdest case?
Monte: I had one guy come in, it was the middle of summer and he had on long johns, a full length parka and a winter hat. He was so cold. I couldn't help him. he was just really sick, his Yang had detioriated too far.

dmon: Can male impotence be treated with acupuncture?
Monte: Yes, it does depend on what the cause is, but yes.

dmon: Can it be used for anxiety? 
Monte: yes

dmon: If so would it be weird to gift it to a girlfriend or wife in a stressful period of life?
Monte: it rebalances your energy, everone needs that.

dmon: What do the needles do?
Monte: They are like lightening rods for energy

dmon: How many treatments does it take before it works. should it be instaneous?  or do you have to go back weekly or monthly or twice a year etc?
Monte: Some are instant, others are gradual and take a few treatments.

dmon: How much does it cost.
Monte: it's usually about $90

dmon: Does Insurance cover it?
Monte: no, well, some insurances cover it, but we don't take insurance. We just try to keep our costs as low as possible, so people can afford it.

Overall, I'd totally do it again, and will most likely go back and get my Qi balanced again. But that's just me. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. All I can say is, be open to it, and relax.