Knee Surgery 101: Acupuncture with Dr. Yi Ping Hu

Anyone who has ever organized a family trip of a week or two is well aware that often the planning stage is as extensive as the trip itself. Preparing for knee surgery is much the same.  Lately, free time goes to organizing and planning, which can range from stocking up on the necessary home medical supplies (a walker for each floor of the house!!) to all the many pre-op appointments and then, of course, dealing with insurance (the appeal on my pre-op MRI is still unresolved!) But there's also personal maintenance, and in that regard I can't emphasize enough the benefits I have found in weekly acupuncture with Dr. Yi Ping Hu. Also, fortunately, it is covered by insurance. (I know, its curious, they cover acupuncture but not a prescribed pre-op MRI. Go figure).

In May I began to make weekly visits to in Bethesda. We're now probably 15-16 visits along. There's a range of ways the treatments have helped but in regard to my knees it has freed me from having to take an Advil tablet each day. I take no pain meds now, and while it hurts to walk, it is no worse than when I took the one Advil each day. On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain hovers between 3 and 4. Her focus is on the immune system. My focus is to de-stress. The treatments give me peace of mind, and an enhanced sense of well-being. Often, toward the end of the 25 minute session, I feel a pleasant charge through my system and a weightlessness. And calm.  I don't know why it works or how it works, but it works. 

I would take a photo during a session but there are so many needles in me -- from the top of the head down to my toes -- that I don't dare move!

Dr. Hu is a master of Chinese medicine, and she sends patients home with herbs and herbal drinks to augment the acupuncture treatment. Her staff is friendly and professional and I think it says everything that I am willing to drive to Bethesda each week just to see her. As much as I'm concerned with my overall recovery after surgery I am concerned with being able to get to her as soon as possible post op. 

If you've ever considered acupuncture, you might want to make a visit to Dr. Hu. 301-530-7331. 

PS- It doesn't hurt. That's a myth. In the hands of a pro, the needles are not painful.