OT: Acupuncture for whistle related injury

Whistle
1

I’m living 11 miles east of LA now, in
an area teeming with acupuncture clinics.
I’ve suffered for several months from
an ulnar nerve problem which cramps
my whistle playing. So I went to the
clinic down the block. Mr. Chin, a sweet-
faced master of acupuncture, assured me
that the procedure would be painless.
I lay face down on the table.

‘Aieee!’ I cried out as Mr. Chin tapped
in the first needle. ‘I thought you
said this would be painless!’

‘You are not in pain.’

‘I’m not?’

‘It is merely a feeling of electricity
as the Chi, or Life Force, begins to
flow more freely. The Superior Man
quickly discerns the difference.’

‘Hey, it’s just become obvious to me that I’m
feeling electricity, not pain! HOOOOO!
Quite a lot of electricity that time,
Mr. Chin. OOOWEEE! Yes, indeed…’

‘These twenty-five needles which I have
inserted will quickly cure your constipation.
Please don’t travel far from home in
the next hours.’

‘Constipation? I wanted you to cure my
bad elbows, so I can play the whistle…’

‘That will require multiple needles
inserted in your puppick, or belly button,
as you say in English, where the fibers
of the Life Force are most thickly entwined.’

‘Puppick? Why are you speaking Yiddish? You’re supposed to be a Chinese acupuncture master and herbologist…’

‘We are among the ten lost tribes.’

‘Mr. Chin, I’m afraid acupuncture isn’t
for me.’

‘You should try chicken soup. Would you
like some?’

‘Er…is there a bathroom close by, Mr.
Chin?’

‘So sorry. It is out of order.’

So far there has been no improvement
in my elbows. Mr. Chin says it will
take three more visits before I’m well.
I’ll report on the results
if I can work up the courage to go back.
Has anyone else tried this–for anything?

2

Jim,

You’re always into something, aren’t you? After the whole boxing thing I’m not sure if I should comment…

Okay, I’ll just say this: If you think the accupunture is a bit painful, go find your self a Rolfer - after that you’ll Mr. Chin’s ministrations will seem positively affectionate.

Personally, I recommend large doses of Naproxen and doctor who will prescribe Tylox, but hey, that’s just me.

Loren

3

Jim,

You, if you are not a writer, you should consider it as a second career. I’ve found your conveyance of experiences to be on par with Dave Barry at times. You may just have to “get into more trouble” to keep up a column, though.

Thanks for another lift.

MJ

4

rather off topic but it’s remarkable how close my name sounds to “chi” :slight_smile: life force, energy or whatever.

acupuncture…painful…rather like tattoos isn’t it? now it makes me wonder if having a whistle tattoed somewhere on my skin makes me mad.

argh :smiley:

5

Jim,

If you can find a good accupuncturist that does the deep accupuncture (not just the surface stuff that PT’s use) it will probably do you good.

I was saved a couple knee operations due to a martial arts injury in my younger years by an amazing elderly Chinese man who practiced accupuncture. It was quite an experience for me. He would put a needle near my ear and a muscle would twitch and get warm in my leg..odd sensation.

Granted I recently read in the paper where a majority of the orthoscopic knee surgeries in this country actually end up causing more problems. A study was done where some people had the operation and others were just put under and a couple dead end incisions made. The patients who had the dummy operation did better than those who had the operation.

It helped me, your mileage may vary.

Mark

6

Jim,

When I was suffering from hand and wrist problems, I thought I had carpal tunnel syndrome. My doctor said I had repetitive motion problems and prescribed chemicals. (Pain killers.) After a year, I was still suffering. I went to a chiropractor and in 2 visits was cured! I had a tweaked muscle and he put it back in place.

Have you tried Chiropractic?

Gary

7

Thanks to all. Yes, I tried chiropractic.
I think Mr. Chin is doing deep acupunture;
sure feels that way. I’m glad to hear
it’s helpful to some. Thanks again, Jim