ACUPUNCTURE!!

I thought this experience deserved it's own blog. After all my research into peroneal nerve entrapment I decided to try acupuncture. This inevitably sent me straight into an hour and a half of research into acupuncturists in Wilmington. Then I had to call them all and rail them on their sports medicine knowledge and treatment process and so on...FINALLY I got on the phone with Robert Kienitz, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. I got a good feeling from this guy right off the bat, then later learned that he is an x-triathlete...Ironman triathlete to be exact and has lots of experience treating athletes...endurance athletes.....I'm SO good at picking doctors!!
The logo to the left is the name of his practice. He shares is with a psychologist and a relaxation and stress management specialist.

I made a 4pm appointment TODAY. (I'm not the most patient person.)

Here is my first ever acupuncture experience:
When I arrived I had to fill out some paper work, the usual, then we talked. I told him about my injury(s) and my race and how important it is that I get better...and he understood! Only another athlete can hear "I absolutely have to run 26miles, I'll be devastated if I can't" and not think the person is just plain crazy! I told him about Dr. McGraw and Dr. Martin and all that they have done and he listened. I felt like he really really listened.
Next he told me a little about acupuncture and said that he was confident it would help me. I hate to be cynical but I've heard that before...
Soon enough there I was lying on a table with needles stuck in my legs and arms, and none of it hurt, not at all. Then he made a little electrical circuit out of me and I chilled out for 20min. It was the oddest feeling to look down and see needles sticking out of me, but I couldn't feel them. Next time I'm going to bring a camera!!
After the treatment he told me that the treatment will continue to work for 72 hrs and told me to try running tomorrow (Saturday). He says that I could be 100% within a couple weeks, AND I can run through the treatment process. I'm trying my best to have faith in his confidence.

6hrs after treatment: My leg is definitely feeling better. I had some pain from my run yesterday and it is now almost gone. I barely feel any inflammation in the area either, earlier there as a bump.

I have a follow up appointment on Tuesday. I'm excited about this new avenue of recovery. It is definitely a last resort, but maybe it shouldn't have been. There is a lot of research showing that acupuncture has helped treat a bunch of "untreatable" conditions. I'm just sorry I waited so long to try it. (And that its SO expensive).

Check out the website: http://www.island-time-institute.com