.

If you’ve been a loyal reader, you’ll know that I blew my right knee out last fall. Deep root radial meniscal year with damage to my MCL. The pain was intense and it swelled to grapefruit proportions.

.

.

I had xrays and MRI’s, a cortisone shot, numerous orthopedist appointments and rehab. I tried heat and cold and massage and gentle exercising. Nothing worked. For a solid year I moaned and groaned and yes, complained.

Western medicine’s answer to the pain? Opioids, that I didn’t take. Their solution to the problem? A surgery that will put me in a cast for 3 months and on crutches for another 3. The success rate for this surgery? 25%.

Tired of being in constant pain, and tired of hearing my orthopedist say, “ It will either heal or it won’t. If it won’t? We’ll cut.” … I decided to seek alternate treatment.

So now, twice a week I lie on a table for 40 minutes and stare at the ceiling, or this.

.

.

I also know exactly what it feels like to be a Voodoo doll.

.

.

Yes, I’m doing acupuncture. And while the skeptic in me scoffed at the slightly woo woo environment….

.

.

The chronic pain ridden patient in me is beyond impressed.

After the very first treatment… I felt relief. My knee felt less swollen and tight as soon as I got up from the table.

After the second treatment, I didn’t cringe in pain when I rolled over in the middle of the night.

After the third treatment, the swelling had gone down considerably and my knee was beginning to look more like a knee again instead of the fruity ingredients for a Paloma.

.

.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still in pain and far from cured. It’s a process, and won’t be healed overnight. But any relief is progress and I’m convinced this is going to be the path forward for me right now.

Even if I do look a porcupine twice a week.

.

.

P.S…. If you’re feeling the need to lay a curse on a co worker or (used to be) loved one? I’m available Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00-12:00.

.