Saturday we met at Emily's house early to try a massage and acupuncture for the first time. Em had directions from her coteacher, and getting there by taxi was cheaper (and faster) than taking the bus because it was so close! We opted to get a package of relax, massage, and acupunture.
First, we had one-on-one consultations, and luckily my doctor spoke a little English. He asked if I had pain, etc, and I explained, or tried to, about my scoliosis.
Next, I relaxed on a hot pad on a bed, which got very hot very quick! Thankfully that didn't last to long. Then I was taken in a separate room to get a massage, that felt wonderful! I definitely got stood on and was a tinsey bit sore after the whole process! The girl I had knew what she was doing though!
Finally, it was time to get acupuncture. I was pretty nervous because I'd never had it done before, and didn't know if it would be painful. However, before we could do that, I had these strange suction cup things placed on my back. It was like a little vaccumn that sucked pretty hard! That was painful, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I thought to myself the whole time, "why am I DOING this??" I also was not thinking of how my back would look afterwards!
The doctor then came over to put in the needles, and had to rub my back more to get it ready. He said that I have a lot of muscule in my back, and that made me smile ^^ He showed me the needles before putting them in, and they were quite small, no bigger than a large sewing needle. I didn't feel him put them in at all, there was only one where I felt a slight pressure, but it wasn't bad. The needles were then heated by a heat lamp, I'm not sure why. They stayed in for about 10 minutes, and then it was all over.
Here is what it looked like. I know it is an awkard angle, but when was the last time you took a picture of your back while laying down and trying not to move?!?!
I went to look at Em and Alli's backs after, and they were really red from the suction cups! I looked at mine, and bruises were already starting to form! It's Monday now, and the bruises are still there, according to Hyunju, I don't have good circulation in my back, but she assured me that she also bruised when she had it done a while back.
The whole process for 2 hours was about 20,000 won, or maybe $17. What a good deal. The doctor mentioned something about insurance while putting in the needles, and said it would be cheaper. Before we left, we were each given back 8,000 won! So only 12,000 in the end from having health insurance! I just may have to go back again someday!
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