Bridget's Blog

It all started with a Groupon and a little curiosity.   I love Groupon, LivingSocial,Certifikid and the like.  I have gotten discounted sailing lessons, cupcakes, pirate adventures and time at the JumpZone for my daughter. 

One day a Groupon was posted for Accupuncture at Women in Wellness in Towson, MD.  I had always wondered about accupuncture.  How could sticking needles in your body lead to anything good?  I had only one experience at a Health Expo where someone stuck 5 needles in my ear and I sat with a group of about 6 people in the middle of a huge hall wondering what the heck I was supposed to be feeling.  I never felt anything.

I made the appointment, found the lovely little practice called Heart's Gate Wellness Center on Dulaney Valley Road in Towson.  I entered the comfortably decorated waiting area to soft music and complementary teas. There's a sign and lend library and a small selection of homeopathic herbal lotions, drops and teas on display.   

Cara-Michelle Nether introduced herself and led me up the stairs into one of the two treatment rooms.  We talked a bit about accupuncture, who she was and why I was there. I was given the option of 3 appointments instead of the one I had signed up for at the same price.  Never one to turn down an offer of more, I agreed.  I couldn't be more glad that I did. It really gave me a chance to connect with Cara-Michelle.

Cara-Michelle is a licensed accupuncturist, akido afficienado, and an incredibly insightful practitioner.  In the sessions that followed Cara-Michelle has helped me to determine my goals, encouraged me to give myself a break and give myself credit for my accomplishments, release some of my control issues (yep, I've got 'em).  She has provided a safe place to share, using accupuncture (different applications depending on what I am working on) to enhance the experience. 

I have made great strides in several areas of my life in just 5 sessions.  I am eating healthier, exercising more, drinking more water, have cut back drinking diet soda to 1 a week (which was sometimes 2 or 3 a day!).  I am more forgiving of myself and those around me.  I am communicating better with my husband and focusing on the positives.  I am taking more time for fun for fun's sake.

I am training for a triathlon, and during that training hurt my back (overdid it).  I ended up at a chiropractor who wanted to see me 2 times a week for the next 2 months and 1 time a week for a month after that.  Although this protocol may be typical, or accepted, to me it seemed a bit much.  I met with Cara-Michelle, and after one application I was able to hula hoop with my daughter and my back has been fine ever since!

After a recent session, there was another practitioner in the waiting area holding an infant. The mom, standing nearby gave the accupuncturist credit for helping her to get pregnant after infertility.  She also said that two of her friends were also helped.  Accupuncture can have lots of applications! 

Some may think that accupuncture is a bit "woo woo" and in the wrong hands it may be.  In the hands of a highly trained, caring professional like Cara-Michelle, accupuncture is a protocol combined with compassion and understanding that can lead to a better, more balanced you.  I encourage you to try it, you may just get the point of it!

It all started with a groupon and a little curiosity, I am a believer!!  You will have to use your own judgment, be open to the process and wonderful things may happen.