I Tried Something New...

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Acupuncture! I pretty much always have a sore back that starts at my right shoulder blade and goes up spine to my neck. Most days it's not too bad, but throw in carting around a baby and some yard work and it was really acting up last week. So, I decided to book an acupressure massage at a Chinese medicine place in our neighborhood. 
I first tried acupressure in DC. The place I went to was next door to the gallery, which was basically the only reason I went there. The guys didn't speak English and didn't seem to be too concerned about possibly dislocating an arm. Although I would feel a bit battered by the time I left, I usually got some relief from my back for a few days.
The place here in Portland was so. much. better!  And a much different process. It started with a consultation with the practitioner, where I was able to explain the issues I was having and he was able to ask follow-up questions. The massage itself was gentle but very effective. Towards the end of the massage, my practitioner said that he usually ends with some acupuncture and asked if I wanted to try it. I thought, "what the heck," and decided to go for it.  He put some needles in my neck and shoulder, one in each hand and foot, and some in my lower back (which also acts up all the time). The acupuncture in my neck/shoulder/hands/feet, all felt totally fine with no pain, but the lower back needles felt kinda wonky. At first the practitioner thought be may he'd hit some nerves, and tried a couple different spots, but it still felt weird. He said sometimes the needle site will ache and that that's a sign that it's working, so maybe it was a good thing? But it kinda gave me the heebie jeebies. I have to say that my back feels better than ever and I would highly recommend the acupressure massage, but I'm a bit on the fence about trying acupuncture again. Have you tried acupuncture??? I'd love you hear your experience if you have!

In case any Portland peeps are interested, here's the place I visited.