Went to acupuncture today, and maybe hope!

[zoidberg]

Before I went in I had to draw my pain on one of those little body diagrams, and then I talked to her for a few minutes. She said "sounds like the quadratus lumborum (sp?). I can fix this right up."

She pulled out this picture of where the pain is expected to be, and it was pretty close. Not exact but way closer than anything else I've been told.

Then she had me get on the table and lie on my side in a specific position, and started pressing on stuff in my back. The first spot she touched felt like she had taken a handful of my abdominal nerves and pulled on them. I almost jumped off the table. I had no idea anything was going on back there! She then proceeded to do a set of trigger point injections all along that muscle (I guess it was bad both deep and superficially) and finished by doing a set of acupuncture needles.

It definitely felt better after the trigger point injections (which were lidocaine), and it definitely feels like there is some business going on in there. It keeps going between feeling worse, different, and better.

She also taught me a stretch to do 3x a day or so, told me to put heat on it for 20 minutes a day, and said I should go immediately to the podiatrist because there is a definite alignment issue caused by asymmetric overpronation on that side.

You guys, I don't know if this will work or not, but I almost cried tears of joy when she said she could fix it. I have another appointment on the 12th. She said that it will likely take quite a while to work.

[coconutbug]

I don't know much about acupuncture, but I'm glad you were able to try a different approach to the problem and hopefully be closer to finding a solution. How are you doing otherwise - have you been able to continue lifting or spinning?

[zoidberg]

No spinning and no lower body lifting. I do periodically do upper body lifting but I get so bored with it that I don't keep it up like I should. I can't even do elliptical or swimming without it hurting, so if this works it would salvage my pitiful life.

[coconutbug]

Aaaah, that is so frustrating. Fingers crossed that this helps relieve the pain.

[zoidberg]

It has to! Haha

Seriously. It has to. But I had a very good experience with acupuncture before and I hope for another one.

[kams]

I am so hopeful about this!! I really hope this is a major player in your recovery.

[sadlebred]

It sounds really hopeful!!!

[Wines Not Whines]

I feel so bad that you've been dealing with this for so long! I hope this helps you get better.

[cinco]

That sounds promising! I hope this helps.

[runaways]

Oh man I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I can't believe what an ordeal this has been for you. Hope you finally can get some relief!

[Deleted]

Fingers crossed this works for you!

[emilyinchile]

I am cautiously hopeful for you - hope you start finally feeling better!