Have you been suffering with a long-term condition? Have you sought out acupuncture to help you? You may wonder how long it will take to see results.
There are several factors in play that determine how quickly the body can heal.
The general state of your health. If you have compounding health issues (diabetes and heart disease concurrently, for example), if you are overweight, or if there is a psychological component, all of these need to be addressed to bring you to optimal wellness. In some patients, this adds a bit of time.
2. Your diet. This is the number one factor, in my opinion, in how quickly a person can restore health, which tops even a person's age and/or how long they have suffered with the condition.
If your diet is poor, your health is poor, and your body has to work harder to heal you.
It might surprise you to know that just a few, simple steps can turn a poor diet around. This will be discussed in your consultation.
3. Your outlook. Research shows that being happy can lead to better immune function, increased resistance to disease, and faster wound healing. How to be happy? That's the subject of another post.
4. Habits. If you regularly exercise, take time to decrease stress, get adequate rest, drink enough water, maintain cleanliness (and I don't mean using chemicals in the home) in your body and surroundings, don't smoke, etc., your body is given a daily advantage at being healthier and more resilient.
5. Medications. This is another huge factor in determining not only how quickly a body can heal, but the state of health internally. Every time a pill is taken, the entire body has to deal with the foreign substance, with a price.
NSAIDs and steroids, for example, which most take for musculoskeletal injuries or pain, have been shown in multiple studies to slow healing of broken bones, damaged ligaments, and other tissues, and increase pain in the long term.
These are just several factors, and perhaps you are feeling quite depressed right now, especially if you can say: but - I fall into all of these categories!
Do not fear. Acupuncture is amazing.
I've been practicing over seventeen years now, and most patients that come and see me do fall into some, if not all, of these categories. It's because acupuncture is the last thing many people try, unfortunately. But that doesn't mean it can't work or won't work for you. I write this blog to alert you to the fact that yes, it will work, but it can take time. Years or even decades of damage cannot be undone in a few sessions. But the good news is, by listening to recommendations and keeping with your treatment plan - you will get results.
I like to tell this story.
When living and practicing in California, I met a woman on a plane. I watched her hobble in, with much difficulty, and arrange a small step stool to put her feet up on. I began talking with her, and discovered she had a diagnosis of Lupus, resulting in much pain, loss of quality of life, inability to enjoy time with friends, and she also wished to work, as she enjoyed being around people, but could not. I gave her my card and told her to contact me when we both returned to California.
She did.
I think of this woman as one of my star patients when I reflect on my years in practice. She was determined to get better. She did everything I asked her to do. Came in the number of times per week I recommended. Got on a cleanse. Changed her diet. She followed the protocol exactly.
When she first came to see me, she was on seventeen medications. Seventeen! By the time she had reached maintenance status, she was only taking one, temporarily, for an upcoming eye procedure.
Here's a recap.
The woman was 72 years old - yes 72! Age was not a factor in her recovery of her health.
She suffered a condition which most MDs tell their patients is permanent and only managed with meds. Untrue, in her case. Her symptoms reversed, and she was able to be free of the meds.
You may be wondering how long it took. In less than one year, she was able to achieve all these gains. Less than a year!
Imagine for yourself, if, in a matter of months, you could have similar results. What would life be like without the condition you suffer with? What would change for the better? What new possibilities can you see?
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