I was born with Spina Bifida, pain hasnt always been a big deal for me. However I have never experienced pain as intense as I did until I started to show signed of Rheumatoid Arthritis. After several Cortisone injections and Emergency Room visits in August of 2017 I was finally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have been doing the medical protocol that is considered acceptable; which involves a weekly injection of Methotrexate; for those of you who have never heard of Methotrexate it is a small dose of a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant that has to be accompanied by daily folic acid supplements. I have also been receiving supplemental treatments. These treatments include acupuncture, massage, paraffin wax and exercise being the most recent additions. I have been doing acupuncture treatments for approximately 30 years off and on. I first went to see an acupuncturist because I had liquid build-up in my right knee and couldn’t tolerate anti-inflammatory medication; 3 treatments later the fluid disappeared. There are two types of acupuncture, electronic stimulation and needle acupuncture or a combination of both. Until recently I preferred electronic stimulation acupuncture or electronic acupuncture; without needles. I recently discovered that needle acupuncture and electronic acupuncture can be applied at the same time by attaching electronic stimulators to the needles. I have also been getting massage therapy for a number of years intermittently which is where I discovered Paraffin wax treatments for my hands; exercise being the most recent addition using a seating elliptical machine called a Sci-Fit (See Picture); I have found that the combination of all the treatments are effective in reducing pain. I am supportive of all the supplemental treatments I have mentioned however if you see someone and they tell you they can cure what ails you or when you tell them your diagnosis and they don’t know what it is please don’t go back you will be wasting your money. Inform all medical professionals involved in your treatment plan of all the treatments you are engaged in. Contact the professional associations to confirm if your massage therapist and acupuncturist are members
Massage Therapists Association of Alberta #E. RED DEER, AB
#2, 7429 49 Ave
Red Deer, AB
T4P 1N2
Telephone: (403) 340-1913
Email: info@mtaalberta.com
College & Assn of Acupuncturists of Alberta
#201, 9612 51 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB
T6E 5A6
Phone: 780-466-7787
Email: reception@acupuncturealberta.ca
P.S: If you suffer from headaches you may also want to consider getting scalp treatments; inquire at your salon. They condition and massage your scalp; the treatment can last anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
mirella muses 