Acupuncture

I just came back from getting acupuncture at one of the local schools. I have had it many times in the past and it works really well for my knees and pain but it is usually about $50 per visit and up. So my poor student budget doesn't allow for as much as I need. I found an ad on Craigslist for a student who is almost done her program, and looking for people to practice on, so I thought 'what the hell'. I have been a bit nervous about using students but my knees are sooo bad right now I just decided that it would be worth the try. I just got back and it was lovely. She was awesome and my knees feel better already. And the best thing is that I can get as many appt's as I would like for free for the month of November (it is usually $20). So I signed up for two times next week. I think that the medical system should pay for acupuncture. It is the only thing that has ever given me any relief from my poor aching knees. Holly

Holly sorry to hear about your knees - what is wrong with them? Great about the free acupuncture though I tried acupuncture for weight loss (well I tried just about eveyrthing before wls), but it (or I) didn't work. My mum & dad used acupuncture to give up amokign and it worked for both of them many years ago. I totally agree and think that alternative medicine should be given a greater respect by health care profesionals. What are you studying at the moment?

I have pretty severe osteo-arthritis in my knees ,spine, feet, hands. I was told that my knees need replacing so now my GP is trying to find someone who will do it before I am 60 yrs old. I am doing a Master's degree in counselling psychology. I just finished my undergrad in Child and youth care (a counselling degree) and I have one year left to finish the whole thing. Then I just have to decide what I want to do when I grow up.

My goodness, you poor thing - all those joints Have you always had osteo-arthritis? Surely if you need knees replacing someone would do the surgery wouldn't they - will your insurance cover it? Sounds like a pretty major operation. Counselling psycology sounds interesting. Do you have an ideas of what you want to do 'when you grow up'? WHat areas are open to you?

I have overused my body. I have been a bit of an adventurer in my life, I tend to think that I can do anything until proven otherwise. I was one of the first women in Canada to work as a autobody technician (body man). I was very strong and was not afraid to lift and carry anything. As a result I really wrecked my knees and back (hours spent welding, kneeling on cold cement, then lifting 150lbs piece of sheet steel). I lived in a teepee for four months and a solar powered cabin for two years and hauled every drop of water that I used. I became sick and gained 100lbs in about a year and that made my knees go crazy (they were already going, but the extra weight did not help) Now I am told that my knees are shot because of my weight. I am not sure how people who are skinny and have arthritis are treated, but I am sure tired of hearing the arthritis is because of my weight. My weight is because of the arthritis now. I have a hell of a time walking more than a block and if I do, I sure pay for it for several days of pain. I am told that my knees are shot, and that they will just get worse and worse and they will not replace them until I turn 60. I am going to be 51 in December and I am not sure that I can wait until then. I am told that they want to wait until 60 because they only last 15-20 years and some say that you can get one reline but most say that once they have replaced the knees, that is it. I told them that I would gladly have my lower legs amputated after 20 years because I just can't take the pain now. Knee replacement is covered in Canada as long as I have someone who will do it. My GP thinks that she has found someone who will do it earlier and I have to go to Vancouver to see him. (A ferry ride away, I live on an island) I would like to go into private practice, I would love to open a healing centre for women and children. My dream is to have a place that has different things like chinese medicine, meditation, art and play therapy, animals... Whether I can do that before I die, I don't know. I will probably work for the government for a while. Long story Holly