Acupuncture: My first experience with Eastern Medicine

Since moving to South Korea my diet has changed drastically. In Canada, I mainly ate diary, wheat, and fresh veggies with an occasional chicken, pork, beef, or VERY occasional seafood dish. In Korea, the diet is heavy on white rice, fermented veggies, spicy red pepper, pork, and seafood. Oh yes, and beer – or as the Koreans call it “MekJu” (맥주) – lots and lots of mekju. I have been a huge fan of Korean food and drink since I first arrived. However, recently, my stomach and my taste buds have been at odds with one another.

After 7 months my stomach decided it will no longer tolerate this diet. I have been having some digestive problems – namely acid reflux.

I am not one to suffer in silence, so after a few days of severe heartburn I made my plight known to my co-teachers. They suggested that I visit a traditional Korean doctor and see if acupuncture could bring me relief.  On day 4 of my discomfort, accompanied by my friend/co-teacher/translator, I visited an acupuncture clinic.

Heat Therapy

acupuncture

When I arrived, I told the doctor my symptoms – or rather, my co-teacher did, and then I was given a quick examination.  My suspicions were correct and the doctor confirmed that I was having a bout of acid reflux. I was told no spicy, greasy, or acidic food, no alcohol, and no caffeine. I love food and my world became a darker, sadder, more difficult place to live as each restriction was mentioned. However, I also love being pampered, so things were soon on the up-and-up because the next thing I knew I was whisked into a curtained off area and told to rest on a heated bed. Shortly after lying down and getting comfortable the nurse returned with what can only be described as a massive, steaming, hot pad. It was covered with water-proof flaps, that, if opened, would reveal steaming hot bean bag tubes.It felt very nice. After my 20-30 minute heat therapy the doctor returned and my acupuncture began. He first pinned 9 tiny needles in my stomach and then one needle in each hand, leg, and foot. The stomach and leg needles did not hurt at all. However, the needles in my hands and feet caused slight pain when they pierced my skin. An infrared light was then turned on and shifted over my stomach to “intensify” the therapy. 20 minutes later, the nurse returned and removed the needles. This part was absolutely painless. I was told to come back for the next 2-3 days and they provided me with a special powdered tea to take after each meal.

I went to the front desk to settle my bill and paid a mere 6000 won (under 6 dollars CAD). This included my check-up, heat therapy, acupuncture, and 5 days worth of post-meal tea. Not bad.

Immediately after the treatment I didn’t observe much of a difference in my condition. However, after being home for an hour or so I noticed, for the first time in days, my chest wasn’t on fire.

The next morning, I was feeling significantly better – but still not 100%. I returned to the clinic in the afternoon for treatment #2. This time Josh was able to come, get a close look at the mysteries of acupuncture, and keep me company. We took some pictures and even snapped one of the doctor inserting the needles. He was not pleased about that and shortly after he left an assistant came to visit us and ask us to delete any pictures of the doctor – which we respectfully agreed to do. Sorry Doctor.

In total, I had 4 treatments, and I felt better after each one.

Perhaps I would have felt better after a few days regardless. Or, perhaps, it is the main contributor to my current good health. Who knows? What I will say is that I enjoyed experiencing this ‘alternative’ type of medicine that offered me treatment sans pharmaceuticals. The worst side effects of acupuncture are the possibility of small bruises – which, of course, pale in comparison to the fine print side-effects of almost any over-the-counter drug.   

Further reading:

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/Acupuncture_and_Acid_Reflux

http://www.ehow.com/video_7343319_acupuncture-acid-reflux.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture