Re: "Tennis Elbow" in Librarians

["T. K. Cassidy" <tkc@KUENTOS.GUAM.NET>]

>At 07:30 AM 11/8/96 -0500, you wrote:
>>        My wife has been a school librarian/media specialist
>>        for 19 years and, as a result, has developed what she
>>        is convinced is a job related repetitive stress
>>        injury--a bad case of "tennis elbow," or
>>        epicondylitis, in both arms.  Her affliction is so
>>        bad that she has had surgery on both elbows.
>
>I looked at Dr. Weil's database on HotWired and acupuncture is strongly
>recommended for tennis elbow.  I'm thinking of trying it; there is an
>acupuncturist in a city about 50 miles north of us.


If you need some encouragement to see the acupuncturist, please allow me to
help! I do not suffer from tennis elbow, but I have had a lot of trouble
with my sciatic (spelling?) nerve in my right hip. It "went out" a lot
especailly on days when the younger kids came in. I spent a lot of time
bent over (as my tech called it, hanging upside down) or crouched down
helping them choose books from low shelves. I finally took my fear of
needles in hand and went to the acupuncturist. He was truly wonderful,  a
trained physician and  fifth generation acupuncturist. The needles honestly
DON'T hurt. The feeling of energy traveling through your body is so warming
and, if nothing else, I got lay completely still for 20 to 30 minutes a few
times a month and no one bothered me. With my busy life, that in itself is
a Godsend!!! I came out each time feeling as though I was 3 feet taller,
lighter than air and my mind felt very clear.

I no longer have trouble with the nerve - it never goes out now but it took
about three months of visits twice a week. One visit with not "do the
trick"!  We Americans are so fooled by our doctors who give you a pill and
send you away cured that we are reluctant to spend more than one visit on a
physical problem. The more often you go the better you will feel. Different
needles in different areas of your body for different lengths of time
stimulate and help different things. Go with an open mind and you will be
pleased!

Best of luck!

Slainte! Guam is 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time --
Living' in the future -- ain't Life grand!

T. K. Cassidy - Children's Librarian /// Guam Public Library
                             Resident Writer and Storyteller ///
tkc@kuentos.guam.net