Serenity now: Acupuncture for the weary

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
– Ovid, Roman poet

The New Year started out with a bang work-wise. I found out I was going on a five-city business trip within a two-week span and more projects poured in on top of the projects I was already working on. I woke up early Sunday morning with a panic attack, wondering how I was going to meet my deadlines before I board my plane Friday night. Three weeks after returning from the holidays, I’m a train wreck.

Take time to examine and enjoy the kaleidoscope details of a tulip (from our garden).

Take time to examine and enjoy the kaleidoscope details of a tulip (from our garden).

My neck pain has flared. Sitting in a chair for hours has produced sharp pain in my lower back and my sciatica has resurfaced. I’m currently sporting braces on both arms for carpal tunnel syndrome. Yes, a train wreck. I’m thankfully not pulling all-nighters because frankly I can’t stay up like I used to (and shouldn’t have back then, in my younger and more vulnerable years). But the downside is that I simply don’t have enough time to finish what I need to get done.

I had it on my to-do list to call my acupuncturist before my red-eye flight. But I couldn’t carve out the time, I argued with myself. I’m glad the sensible part of me won. Late this afternoon, I went in and, lying on the table in a heated room, with soft music soothing my downtrodden soul, I was at rest and gathering strength.

Appreciate the beauty of nature in the delicate orchid.

Appreciate the beauty of nature in the delicate orchid.

I first saw Portia Lee, my acupuncturist, last April. I’d always wanted to try acupuncture for various aches and pains, particularly my sciatica. But last April I was suffering from insomnia. I could not sleep no matter what I did – warm baths, power down from electronics (maybe I tried that once) an hour before going to bed, reading, deep breathing. Nothing worked. It got to the point where I was terrified of going to bed because I knew it was going to be another night of tossing and turning, and then unbelievable exhaustion the following day. After talking with a few friends and relatives, I discovered that this is symptom of the changes. The insomnia went on for a few weeks before I succumbed to going to my nurse practitioner.

Did I want to do a trial and error with sleeping pills or anti-anxiety pills? She suggested the latter because anxiety often creates insomnia. I just want to sleep, I demanded. We tried sleeping pills. That lasted two nights. They made me groggy and exhausted. There was really no difference between the problem and the cure. So I decided to try acupuncture, and I ventured to Portia’s practice, Traditional Ways Healing Center (6931 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530, 799.8788, infoportialee@gmail.com), after looking her up on the Internet.

Get up close and admire the fluted petals of an orange dahlia (from our garden).

Get up close and admire the fluted petals of an orange dahlia (from our garden).

I’ve never had such a thorough examination and discussion of my physical, emotional and mental well-being. It was eye-opening for me to talk about things that were impacting my body. I was in her office for three hours. I fell asleep on the table. Who wouldn’t when you have a lavender eye pillow, a comfortable pad and pillow, incense and soft music setting the mood, and a just-so warm room? All my troubles were outside that door. I left with some bottles of herbs and roots, and as I was walking out, I noticed the lack of pain in my left leg. It was a lightness that occurs when a pain you’ve accepted and lived with all these years has been suddenly lifted. I was able to sleep immediately with valerian, though I actually haven’t used it for several months now. I’ve had a couple of acupuncture tune-ups since then, mostly when my stress levels have risen – like now.

I still have to make it to the end of the week, intact and with as much work done as I can possibly do. My body has been energized by acupuncture. I just have to be kind to my body to keep going. And take a deep breath. You can only do what you can do. The world won’t collapse over a missed deadline.

Someone once said, “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” As I tackle the next deadline, I do so with a more balanced body. Now to nurture that peace in my head.

Keeping it simple with the LBD - a silk shift embellished with crystals and baubles at the shoulders. Instead of a red purse or pumps, throw a dash of color with the unexpected red gloves.

Keeping it simple with the LBD – a silk shift embellished with crystals and baubles at the shoulders. Instead of a red purse or pumps, throw a dash of color with the unexpected red gloves.

Vintage Eisenberg bracelet and earrings to adorn the LBD.

Vintage Eisenberg bracelet and earrings to adorn the LBD.

Red-and-black gloves for the LBD, co-starring with g bling and some Eisenberg bling and some bling on the shoulders, too.

Red-and-black gloves for the LBD, co-starring with g bling and some Eisenberg bling and some bling on the shoulders, too.