"Obamapuncture" - you heard it first on this blog.

  Hubs Gets Needled 
  Originally uploaded by GraceD

My dears, thanks for the rousing welcome back.  It was so warm and loving, it felt like a group hug.  It also felt like I strolled into the bar after a long absence and you all pushed back chairs and stools and hooted and hollered, just as if I was Norm Peterson:

Me:  Afternoon, all!

You All:  GRACE!!!! How's life treating you?

Me:  Like I just ran over its dog.

Alas, I am no barfly.  Though I cherish the institution of the bar as community center, I am a pitiful drinker, prone to giving away money and slurring after one beer, and a lite beer at that.

Speaking of matters concerning the liver, kindly note the picture above of Jenn, an extremely pleasant and able acupuncturist, sticking a needle into my hubs' lower leg at the Grassroots Acupuncture Project clinic last Saturday afternoon.  The lovely Jenn is stirring up chi along the  hubs' liver meridian, a channel of energy that requires tuning on a regular basis, most especially when times are tough.  Between the hubs' manic business traveling and my lousy health, we're ideal candidates for a good liver tune-up and  chi adjustments in the other organs, as well.  This is why we have returned to having weekly acupuncture treatments and Molly gets her share of chi tweaking, too. 

Acupuncture creeps out most folks and justifiably so - they stick you with needles! That's got to hurt!  But, surprisingly, you don't feel the needle jab.  If anything, there's slight pressure and maybe a tug, but nothing like having blood drawn or getting a flu shot.  In my book, eyebrow waxing and plucking is far more painful and annoying than acupuncture.  I won't even begin to compare acupuncture with the ugly shock of a bikini wax.

We are very lucky to have a clinic in Santa Cruz dedicated to community acupuncture, a great, egalitarian concept taken on by practitioners around the country with the goal of providing traditional Chinese medicine on a low cost/sliding scale ($15 to 35 a session) basis.  The catch is that the treatments take place in a group room, as it is apparently done in Asia.  The Grassroots Acupuncture Project is tucked away in an office building, between a bank and a temp agency, certainly an incongruent setting for the clinic and its cozy group room furnished with soft carpeting, low lights, verdant plants, some cabinets and tables and seven giant La-Z-Boy recliners padded with blankets and pillows.  You're hit with instant mellow as soon as you walk into this serene scene.  You can also be hit with the sound of snoring from clients fully reclined in their La-Z-Boys, snuggled in fluffy blankets and close to comatose in a deep acupuncture induced slumber.   (For the record, I find the snoring comforting.  Hubs hates it and wants to smother the snorer.  Hubs won't like me telling you this, but when he's passed out in his own deep acupuncture induced slumber, he snores.  Loudly.  Sorry, honey, it's true.)

I may not snore during my own treatments, but I have always been receptive to the subtle power that is Chinese medicine.  If I'm getting needled once a week, I am less prone to colds, allergies and asthma attacks.  I sleep better.  I am compelled to eat fewer carbs and sweets.  I'm more energized without being wired.  And, dare I say it, I feel a little bit happier.  Even optimistic.  (Or could that be the Obama effect that has taken over the household?)

Whatever - Obamapuncture, snoring, La-Z-Boys - I'll take it all.  God knows I need it. 

Hey, put on your hoodie and let's take Malcolm for a walk.  This is also part of the health regimen - fresh air! And, a little lawbreaking which is always beneficial for the temperament.  We're off to Lighthouse Field where since November, we're supposed to be leashing up our dogs by law, but nobody does:

Civil disobedience at its finest, dogs playing and running free.

Comments

[Kizz]

Yay for off leash time!

[e]

you mean nakedjen is off being naked in the snow for no reason???

[GraceD]

kizz - Yes! Hurray! Off leash time is a dog's right!

e = Our lovely nakedj needed to get away. Break-up and all. And, working for Robert Redford! But, yeah, the snow has got to suck on so many levels. That's why you and I live where we do. xo

[nakedjen]

I am so very happy you're posting. Because I truly missed you. I've been flailing about here in the snow. Knocking naked on my neighbors' doors. And there's been NO GRACE. None.

Imagine how miserable my life has been? Because we both know it is all about me.

I love you. And Malcolm and Hubs and Molly, too.

I'm sending you icicles of love...because I know that warm heart of yours will melt them instantly and make some fresh water to flush the toxins from your acupuncture!

[nakedjen]

P.S. I actually went and did my Dog Activist duty here in SLC last night. They have a very good slogan that the FOLF should adopt!

"Bark now or forever hold your leash!"

I was quite impressed with the level of organization and clear presentation and thoughtful planning on both sides here.

The mayor did NOT tell me that I should perform civil disobedience. Then again I'm in Utah. I'm not sure they even know what civil disobedience is. Would that be not wearing your garment?

[Mom101]

Already a huge acupuncture advocate, but I think Obamapuncture might make me like it even more.

Welcome back dahlink. Wishing you both very open xi. (Or chi.)

[Daisy]

I've often wondered if acupuncture would ease some of the odd pains I get in my foot after two surgeries. Maybe...

[Glennia]

I still can't get into the acupuncture, even if it doesn't hurt. I have visions of myself looking like that pinhead dude from some horror movie or another.

Glad you are back abloggin'. You know we miss you when you're quiet.

[Elizabeth]

I've never had acupuncture, but you sure make it sound like something I could benefit from. Do you think I could get Mr. Obama to PERFORM the acupuncture? Because that would be downright pleasant :)

[ozma]

Wow, I'm currently bankrupting myself paying for acupuncture in the hope that it could do something to avoid any more miscarriages. Community acupuncture sounds like the greatest thing since unsalted roasted almonds.

Acupuncture doesn't hurt. It is pleasant. It's hard to convince people of this, though.

[Amy]

I've always wanted to try acupuncture. Just not sure how to go about finding someone who is reputable.

[Janeen]

Welcome back, dear Grace. I thought I'd added a comment to your last post, but I think I must have travelled away from that page before actually clicking the correct button. Anyway, I'm so very glad that your chi is flowing and you are here to share your lovely thoughts with us.