Peripheral Neuropathy  Peripheral Neuropathy
About four years ago, I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. Basically it is multiple nerve damage and
medical doctors don't know why or how I got it. It all boils down to pain. Every step, everyday. As the day goes
by, the pain get worse. Chronic pain is a terrible thing. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Unless you
have chronic pain every day, it is very hard to comprehend how a person can be in pain all the time. I am on a
variety of medication that is available for this condition and I am taking the highest dosages for each.
Unfortunately for me, the medication takes some of the edge off sometimes, but that is it. The pain never goes
away. I have been told by my medical doctors that surgery is my only option at this time. They will not
increase the medication and there is no other course of action. The problem with the surgery is that it can have
anywhere from a 0% decrease in pain up to about 40-50% decrease with no guarantees. It was then that a
friend told me about acupuncture and convinced me to try it. As a last resort, I thought what could I lose in trying it.
My first experience with acupuncture was at a facility my insurance company had supplied. I know something was not right when the "doctor"
answered his own phone. He was Chinese and did not know much English. I found it was very difficult to converse with him. He had a very
memorable high pitched laugh and he laughed constantly after just about every sentence. However, I was going to try acupuncture and who was I to
judge? I had no expectations thus far. I showed up early for my appointment and called the "doctor" from my car. He told me that it was no problem
to come in early. By the time I locked my car and walked around to the front of the building, the "doctor" was waiting for me outside on the steps.
Again, a red flag appeared but I went inside anyway. The office was very dimly lit. I remember the wallpaper was old and stained; there were
tapestries everywhere and lucky bamboo lining the walls of the office. After some initial information, the "doctor" led me down a dimly lit hallway and
opened a door leading into a poorly lit and dingy room. The table I was instructed to lay on was not very attractive to say the least. But what did I
know. This was my first experience. I tried to tell the "doctor" about my condition and tried to convey that I was in a great deal of pain and my feet
were numb at the same time (it is hard for people to understand these symptoms because it would seem the numbness would cancel out the pain –
I assure you that this is not the case). He opened a few needles and inserted them in various places. He then left the room for approximately 10
minutes and when he came back he instructed me to stay lying down. After he took the needles out, he went to the bottom of the "bed" and hit my
foot from underneath. He asked me if I could feel it. I told him that I knew he was hitting my foot, but I could not feel anything more. He hit my foot
again and asked me if I could feel it again. This went on for about 4 or 5 hits and then it came. The worst shooting pain through my foot, up my leg
and it seemed to come out my mouth. When I screamed, his drawn out response to me was "ohhh, you're not soooo nummmbb … I thought you
were so nummmmbbbb." Before I could say anything else, he started to hit my other foot and ask the same questions as to what I felt. Then it came
again – the shooting, stabbing pain through my leg, up into my chest and again out my mouth. I started to cry and yell at the same time. I sat up
and demanded that he stop what he was doing that minute! It was then that I saw an electric current machine. Dirty pads on leads and a wire gauge
that gave a number sequence as to the power of the shock. HE WAS GIVING ME ELECTRIC SHOCK THROUGH MY FEET! I could hardly believe
what I was looking at. It was then through my tears that I heard him say those words again. He said them slowly and smiling in a way that I will never
forget. "You're nottt soooo nuuumbbb". I got to my feet and started for the door. He caught up to me and asked for payment for his services. He said
next time we will do more. I knew, of course, that there was NO CHANCE that I would ever go there again! When I left that building I was crying and
did not stop until I was almost home. I knew for certain that this acupuncture was not for me.
For a few weeks after my ordeal, I started to look on the computer for information on the surgeries that the medicals doctors wanted to do. I grew
very depressed and fearful that I had no other options. After telling my story to a girlfriend, she encouraged me to try acupuncture again. She
convinced me that my experience was not normal. "What do you have to lose," she said. "If it does not work, then you go have the surgery". Good
point I decided and with some prodding and a promise to go with me, I agreed to try it again. However, I had my mind set that if the office looked
anything like the first one OR if the "doctor" reminded me of my first experience, I was going to walk right out the door and never look back!
I contacted my insurance company and got a couple of names of facilities and the Center for Preventive Medicine was the first one on my list. I
called and was connected to the front desk. I don't remember who answered the phone; however, I do remember the professionalism, courtesy,
warmness, and the feeling of security that I felt from that instant. You can imagine my surprise when I arrived for my first appointment. The office was
so big and clean, so big and inviting. I was shown around and offered a cup of tea – five different types of tea. The chairs were plush and cushioned
and the couch plump with pillows. I have grown to love the entire staff. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is so friendly, nice, warm, helpful and always
100% professional. They go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable and happy. This attention and helpfulness does diminish with time –
as some might think. Every day when I am greeted, it is warm and friendly just like the first day. I am asked repeatedly if I am ok and if there is
anything that they can do for me. This was something new to me. I don't ever remember going to a doctors office and feeling this way. The staff really
wants to help. I was introduced to Dr. Tad and Kasia. They are two of the finest people I have ever met. They truly, in their hearts, want to help
people. It is an experience like no other doctor you have ever seen. Get ready for refreshing and wonderful experience. Kasia and Dr. Tad explained
acupuncture in detail and what it means for me in words that I could comprehend. Everything was straight forward. I was listened to without feeling
rushed. My concerns were addressed and continue to be addressed. My questions were answered and continue to be answered. Even when I ask
silly questions, I am always answered with the utmost professionalism and have never felt belittled or silly. I look forward to my treatments and really
do believe they are helping me. However, it is so hard to pinpoint certain aspects of my disease because there are so many determining factors.
What did I do that day? How far did I walk? Did I shop or do errands that day? Did I cook or do house work? Did I rest or nap at all? When I started
coming here, if someone touched my feet or my lower legs I would cry because of the pain. Now I am actually getting needles in my feet!! My blood
pressure is the lowest it has been in 25 years and I am so hopeful about the future for the first time in a long time. I know it is going to take time, but
now I am willing to wait and work towards my goal. Where I was given no choice, the Center for Preventive Medicine has given me a choice. Where I
was given a diagnosis with the only option being surgery, the Center for Preventive Medicine was given me other courses of action for treatment.
Where I was given a bleak look at my future, the Center for Preventive Medicine has given me my life back. Slowly but surely, I am living again. I am
so hopeful and excited about the progress I am making. It is so nice to walk through the doors and be greeted with a hand on the shoulder, and
understanding nod and a caring smile. To sit and have a cup of tea and relax before my appointment is great (although I never have to wait more than
a couple of minutes and have not finished a cup of tea to date)! I have been in treatment for a couple of months now and I am actually off of two
medications all together and I am in the process of eliminating another. Dr. Tad feels that in a short period of time, I could even be off more
medications. I wish I could say I am no longer in pain, but I cannot – yet. However, I can say that the pain is less now that it was and I starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
At one point about a month into treatment, a situation came up that would directly affected my treatment. Instead of getting the impersonal "Sorry,
but we cannot help you" reaction that I am so used to, I got understanding and comfort, I got compassion and ideas for solving my situation and
ultimately, I was able to get a resolution. I even got a hug! Then again, about three months into treatment, some other problems arose. I will not get
into all the details, but my treatment was directly effected. I was immediately in a meeting with Kasia. Once again, a resolution was found by her and
Dr. Tad resulting in ongoing treatment to achieve the ultimate goal of me being in less pain.
Treatment at the center goes much further than a "doctor/patient" relationship. It goes so much deeper. It has become a personal relationship. Along with mutual respect and understanding.
Acupuncture at the center feels right. There is nowhere else I would want to go and no one else who I would trust more than Dr. Tad and Kasia. It is
hard to put into words. The gratitude I feel at times is overwhelming. I owe so much to them. I can only hope that in their time of need I could be of
some help and give to them – even a small percentage of what they have given me. HOPE!!
Dr. Tad and Kasia – if you are reading this and I hope you are, there is just one thing I would like to say to you. Thank you – from the bottom of my heart!! — Beverly Beech, Attleboro, MA
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