Saturday, May 14, 2011

Mark tries "needlework"

For all of you who have been inquiring about Mark….he went to the clinic and they did put him on some steroids. We went back last Saturday for a follow-up and I was able to speak with the doctor. I asked about putting him on an anti-viral along with the steroid regimen. So, after some discussion, it was decided to increase the steroids and put him on an anti-viral.
Mark has a colleague at work, who is certified in Chinese medicine. She prodded him all week about going to the Chinese doctor for some good old Chinese medicine to help him with the Bell’s Palsy. So, on Friday…he relented and went to the hospital.
Here is a picture of him receiving one of his “treatment”:





Yep…Acupuncture! He said that they also hooked it to some electrode thing, so he had electric muscle stimulation. They also did some “cupping” therapy.

Cupping therapy is the method of using glass or plastic cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum. The Chinese have been doing this since ancient times by using heat inside glass or bamboo cups. Nowadays, cupping sets use suction to create the vacuum. The vacuum inside the cups causes the blood to form in the area and help the healing in that area.

Ancient Chinese medicine have believed that the body contains "Meridians". These meridians are pathways in the body which the energy of life called Qi ("chi") flows through. It flows through every body part, tissue, and organ. Cupping therapy is mainly performed on one's back because there are five meridians on your back. When these meridians are opened, the internal energy is able to flow through the whole body.

Another healing aspect of cupping therapy is through the release of toxins in your body. The suction from the cups can penetrate deep into your tissues causing the tissues to release harmful toxins. It triggers the lymphatic system, clears the blood vessels, and stretches and activates the skin.

Cupping therapy has been found in ancient records dating back 3500 years and it is still used today by many alternative medicine practitioners. New advancements in technology and materials have been integrated with cupping therapies and its uses now range for many different treatments and applications.


He will be having these treatments for the next couple of weeks, 3X’s a week. He no longer has any pain in his neck; behind his ear, and he is able to blink the left (side affected) eye. So, these are all good things. Let’s hope that between the Western medicine regimen, and the Eastern alternative therapy, Mark get’s the left side of his face back to normal.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Like Mark says, it is more annoying than anything else, and he really hates that he has to use a straw to drink anything so he doesn’t drool down his chin! This is from a man who NEVER takes medicine, and never uses a straw either. So, we will wait and see. Recovery from this can take weeks to months, you just never know. I know he is hoping for a speedy recovery, as am I. Till next time….

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