Acupuncture For Depression, How To Explain?

[joeylittle]

Hello all.

I'm still looking for any way possible to augment treatment for my depression. I am having a hard time at this point knowing how much of it is chemical and how much of it is rooted in PTSD, but I do know that my medication isn't doing a good enough job.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience on how much I need to explain to the practitioner? Both in terms of why I'm there and because of scars. I actually don't know what body parts I'll need to expose, but there is very little of me that isn't scarred. They are old, most of them, but they are there.

I'm trying to avoid the experience I have always had with massage therapists, where I've chosen to not say anything at all and then they are clearly shocked and ask if they are supposed to work around them, or I tell them in advance and they tell me that I don't need to explain that sort of stuff, they are used to working with bodies.

I've bumped this appointment four times now, and I'm determined to get myself there. Just need to conquer some fear. I don't even know how to talk to the practitioner about it in advance, because that requires bringing it up.:banghead:

 

[seedling]

My acupuncturist used a fairly long medical history form - lots of boxes to check off for current and past symptoms. Maybe you could make a note on a form like that so they could read it and you would't have to bring it up verbally.

My acupuncturist has his patients expose the legs below the knees and the arms below the elbows - that's it.

I'm going to a new acupuncturist in a week ( my current one is moving after this week) so I don't know exactly what her protocol is. I'm nervous about explaining what I'm there for (PTSD). I'm so used to the one I'm with now - he knows my issues.

Good luck!

 

[joeylittle]

My acupuncturist has his patients expose the legs below the knees and the arms below the elbows - that's it.

That's what she mentioned on her forms, that you only needed to be able to roll up your sleeves and pant legs. Thanks for sharing that, it's nice to have some corroboration. I just have lots of scarring.

 

[digger]

legs below the knees and the arms below the elbows

That was my experience of acupuncture too. I didn't cope well with it as a treatment for other reasons, but in terms of how much skin, and therefore scars in my case too, had to be exposed, it was very minimal.

 

[sun seeker]

Anyone have any thoughts or experience on how much I need to explain to the practitioner? Both in terms of why I'm there and because of scars.

My understanding of Chinese medicine (@KwanYingirl can maybe confirm this) is that they don't worry much about differentiating between the physical and the emotional. They don't spend time on whether your depression comes from child abuse; they are more interested in correcting the imbalances present now, and restoring the flow of chi is supposed to help emotional problems as much as physical without the need to process them. The concept of psychotherapy is anathema to Chinese culture from what I gather. So, I would say tell them what you feel they need to know in general terms, but there is no need to go into detail. About the scars, I guess you would need to mention them, but keep it brief. "I've been seriously depressed for a long time. You will notice a lot of scars you'll have to work around. That's all I want to say about them."

I used acupuncture for a while for emotional problems and it did help my anxiety some. I wasn't able to keep going long enough to know how much more it could have helped. I hope it will bring you some relief.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@sun seeker you are correct. All I will add is that psychological or emotional disabilities are taboo in most Asian cultures. This means that people manifest their mental problems as physical ailments which are acceptable illnesses. My acupuncturist was amazing (she moved to Germany). If I felt anxious or triggered before a treatment she always reminded me that my liver was on fire and it was stealing the hearts fire. When the major organs are balanced and the chi flows without obstruction then the mind calms down. She used to put small beads along meridians on my ears and I just had to rub them to settle my stomach. One day I showed up shaking and in the throes of flashbacks. She got me right on the table and quickly stuck a needle between my eyes. I always left there feeling hopeful.

 

[anthony]

Tough one... maybe simple and straight forward honesty -- tell them you've had a tough life, don't wish to elaborate and discuss it, but they need to be careful about scars and maybe ask before each needle goes in, whether that spot affects you negatively or not.

Sometimes outright honesty is the best policy. It lets them know where you stand, and they know where they stand in relation to jabbing you with needles.

Big fan of acupuncture though myself...

 

[seedling]

However it plays out, once the hurdle is cleared and the person is aware of the scars, the issue can recede in to the background and you can get on with seeing if it helps you. Any experienced health professional will handle it with as much grace as possible even if there is that initial surprise. And that's no shame on you.

 

[joeylittle]

This is all really good information. Helps me remember, too, that it can be about the facts of the present, not the complicated feelings of the past, if that makes sense. How I feel about my scars is one thing - but I don't actually need to share anything about that. I can address them simply, because it will let me be in control of giving out that information, and yes, @seedling - if she is good, she's not going to drop her tray, gasp, and say "what happened to you???????" :O_o: Which is really what I'm afraid of.

Also, I am afraid she will tell me to stop drinking coffee. :facepalm:

 

[sun seeker]

if she is good, she's not going to drop her tray, gasp, and say "what happened to you???????"

I think you're right. If she does, go somewhere else. That would not be professional.

Also, I am afraid she will tell me to stop drinking coffee.

Now THAT could be a problem. But you could tell her you do better with gradual changes. The thing to remember is, you're in charge. You're hiring her to help you, not to make choices for you. You can thank her for her advice, go home and think about it.

Also, now I think about it, when I filled out the form the first time I saw an acupuncturist, one of the questions asked whether the patient had a history of being abused. If they ask you that and you say yes, any further explanations will be easier.

 

[joeylittle]

Yes, @sun seeker - there's a form I filled out. What is just a little odd about me is the nature of the scarring and where it's located. Oddly, the self-harm scars on my arms are the least of my worries. But really, give up coffee? :coffee: Cannot fathom. Well, as you say, gradual changes....

 

[KwanYingirl]

@joeylittle I have scars from SI and also burn scars on my genital region thanks to my rapist. I have had tattoos to cover the obvious scars but nothing for the burn scars. I never allowed Pap smears be done and had two babies that had to have been noticed during childbirth. I have never explained any of them, nor has any doctor, massage therapist. I think I told my therapist about my burns, but it might of been a dream.
I worked in Radiology for thirty years and have handled bodies in all states of undress. I never noticed scars on my patients, well there's been gall bladder removal scars or hysterectomy, open heart scars, etc.
I'm getting more tattoos next Monday I don't expect to explain them to my docs., my massage therapist is a survivor of CSA and she's sympathetic.