Klarinet Archive - Posting 000263.txt from 1996/09

From: Laurence Liberson <hardreed@-----.COM>
Subj: Acupuncture
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:36:58 -0400

Dan Leeson (did I get it right? ;)) said:

> Let me first say how sad I am that Neil is injured and let me add to
> his list of things to consider both accupuncture and accupressure.
>
> We who have used European medicine for our whole lives have a
> tendency to be skeptical of other medical techniques. Accupunture
> is one of them. But several hundred million people use it, including
> its use as part of surgical procedures carried out without
> anasthetics.
>
> Accupressure is the assertion that pressure on certain nerve
> areas can relieve pain.
>
> I cannot comment on the efficacy of either technique, simply mention
> them.
>
But I can!

In 1984, when my wife was carrying my then two-year old daughter in
front of her, my daughter zigged when my wife apparently expected her
to zag. That caused a sudden and severe pain in her back which lasted
for the better part of ten (count 'em!) years.

She went through chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, physical
therapy, etc...you name it, she did it -- and with little or no
relief (the 'little' only very temporary, if that).

In 1994, she started to see an internist who basically specialized in
treating pain with acupuncture. After the second visit she thought
she was getting some relief, minor as it was. She continued for
approximately 7-8 months of treatment (starting out with three times a
week and finally dwindling to once every other week in the last
month).

Bottom line is that she is pain free and has been pain-free now for
close to two years. She runs, skis, bikes, roller blades and does
high exertion step aerobics -- all without incident.

And now that my daughter is close to 15 years old, she no longer
carries her!

(This is not an endorsement per se of acupuncture...just a true
story!)

Larry Liberson
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
hardreed@-----.com