Kristi Swicegood L.Ac.

Ever since Chemo my hands are numb, can acupuncture help ? It was 2009, I was giving an educational lecture about acupuncture to a room full of people on a cruise ship, and at that time, I had never treated anyone with Chemo-therapy induced peripheral neuropathy. I felt my face flush a little from the public speaking nervousness and realized the only way to answer was with a very honest I’m not sure, but I’m willing to try it if you are. I was sailing on a ship withou...t wifi, and had no access to research or my text-books, but I really wanted to help the querent Kate. (But I also didn’t want to embarrass my profession). So we made a deal: I would treat her for free over the course of her 7 day Caribbean cruise as long as she promised she would still look for a more specialized post-cancer acupuncturist when she got home. My background was in orthopedics- this was not my lane, and I had no idea what to expect. I guessed which points would be most helpful based on my knowledge of the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. I used electro-stimulation because I knew it mimics nerve impulses to try to wake up the pathways. I passed Kate after breakfast the next morning: Today was the first time I could feel the heat of my coffee cup with my fingers in 2 years! See you tomorrow! she chirped. Her results from treatment exceeded all of my expectations. Kate kept in touch after her cruise was over. She found an acupuncturist near her home and continued treatment for about a month. She is now fully recovered and has full sensation in her hands and feet. My limited ability to research ended up being a happy accident since I approached her condition from a combination of TCM and Western neurology. I continue to use this technique with many patients who suffer from CIPN with consistently successful results. If you need help, I offer a free consultation. #acupuncture #cancer #CIPN #chemotherapy #neuropathy #cancersurvivor @ Bee Pain Free Acupuncture

I have to say...I love what I do. If you can’t read that upper caption, my lovely patient threw her back out feverishly dancing to Bruce Springsteen in her living room. She called me in a panic because she’s a very busy massage therapist and was booked a full day of clients the next day. @tinafmontalto had tried heat, pain patches, and anti-inflammatories earlier in the day but she still couldn’t turn her neck and I had to actually help her onto the table but after 45 minu...tes of heat, acupuncture and cupping she was good as new. Cupping is extremely effective for acute back sprain and strain. The suction allows the muscle to receive oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal itself faster- but also stretches spreads the muscle fibers so that you increase the surface tension across the tissue. It’s a stretch you can’t get any other way and it really helps to jumpstart the healing process. This works with recent injuries and long term stubborn stiffness and knots. It pays to have your acupuncturist on speed dial. #cuppingtherapy #cuppingmassage #cupping #acupuncture #sportsacupuncture #backpain #bangyourhead #dancinwithmyself #dance #sprain # @ Bee Pain Free Acupuncture