Name:
Jennifer Pobiak
Location:
Bethesda, Maryland
Story:
From the time I was in my early 20’s on, I had several major surgeries for recurring scar tissues and adhesions from a surgery I had for ovarian cysts. In the span of four years I had three of these major surgeries. Then, just a few short months after my last surgery, I was involved in a bad car accident. I had a ruptured disc at C6-C7 and had another disc herniation at L5-S1. In addition, I had broken tmetacarpals in my left hand, a torn knee, an I tore a leg muscle where it attached at my right hip. The rupture at C6-C7 had compressed my spinal cord over 50% which had required immediate surgery and a cervical fusion for fear of paralysis. I had a bone taken from my right hip for the fusion. The recooperation time and immediate healing lasted about six months but I continued to suffer from constant, chronic pain in my neck and neuropathy in my right arm and hand for the next ten years. I was never pain free and many of the doctors I had seen throughout the years could only offer muscle relaxers and pain medication, a very poor alternative. I was well on my way to becoming a “chronic pain” statistic.
I had taken a job as a managing editor for a local alternative medicine publication and several of my coworkers had noticed the pain I was in and mentioned going to an acupuncturist. I took their advice and went in for my first treatment of Chinese Acupuncture. The first thing I noticed after my treatment was an immediate sensation of energy traveling through my body. Then I noticed the pain had decreased already. I went in for four more treatments and after my fifth treatment, I was totally pain free. I couldn’t believe that something so foreign to me, and something I barely believed in could take away my pain completely!
I was intrigued and fascinated and after much contemplation and research decided to study this mysterious, ancient healing medicine. I enrolled in an Acupuncture program at the Maryland Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and now am a state-licensed and nationally board certified Acupuncturist. I practice with a group of MD’s, physical therapists, RN’s and massage therapists and am so excited at the level of care we can provide our patients. I am here to say that Physicians and alternative care practitioners such as Acupuncturists can coexist and make a phenomenal difference! If only more patients had the availability of several complementary therapies in their healing…..If only the health insurance companies would wise up and realize that their out-of-pocket costs would be lowered by paying for preventative care and teaching their patients to be proactive about their health!
