Oriental Medicine - Part 2

I went in for my second session on Tuesday.  It was predominantly the same procedure as Monday by involving both heat and acupuncture,  but the needles were placed in different areas.  The first time it felt like the needles were placed in positions that influenced different digestive organs.  It was a little weird feeling at times, but it felt good over time of them being there.  I was actually excited about going in for my second treatment.  This time I'm not quite sure what kind of "map" he used to place the needles but I can say that they were definitely placed in more tender areas and I was a little bit sore in spots afterward.  It felt like perhaps it just really hit some muscles that are a little of "out of wack".

I actually didn't go in yesterday because of my schedule.  That's one of the interesting things about Korea and doctors: There are no appointments.  You just walk in whenever you have the time in your schedule.  Of course, if it is something critical then you need to go in according to a certain schedule but for the most part they are pretty relaxed about it.  And the best thing is -- for not having an appointment, so far I have spent less time waiting.

My attempt at oriental medicine

Yesterday, I gave in and decided to make an attempt at oriental medicine.  For anybody who is reading this and can read Hangul (Korean text), you will already know what it says on the bottle.  For those that can't (which I'm sure is the majority) at the top it reads: Herbal Remedy for IBS.  After trying to manage and cope with this for a few years with worsening and spontaneous attacks despite watching diet. Going to any traditional doctor has told me (and likely anyone else with this) to "watch your diet", but I've found that this is never consistent, as any little thing can throw it off.  After feeling the desire to almost give up eating, I've decide to give this a shot.

The treatment is supposed to take only 10 visits, which the doctor told me I can just come in 10 in a row whenever I am able to.  The treatment involves: heat, acupuncture, massage (mechanical), and herbal medicine.  I have to take 20 of these little herbal pills after each meal, 3 times a day.  If my stomach is unsettled yet, I can increase up to 30 pills after the meal.  I'm not exactly sure what herbs they are (since it's all Korean), but its a mixture of several.

The total cost for 10 days of treatment?  Only W47,000, which is about $45 so whether it works or not I felt it'd be a good experience and definitely worth a try for such a price.  Crossing my fingers that I have at least an improvement if not quite a "cure".