What are some good websites for personal research into non-western medicines--specifically the Chinese herbals?  (I was reading Maggie's journal and now she's got me curious!)

I'd suggest looking up your local accupunturist-they should be able to steer you in the right direction!

Hey Trisha!  :D

Wow, that's so neat that my journal has impacted someone!  Here is one website that I've been checking out since T's been going to the acupuncturist:

http://www.chinesemedicinesampler.com/default.html

The reason I came across it was actually for it's herbal medicine dictionary, I wanted to translate and understand the herbs he was taking and know exactly what they were targeting.  This is our first experience with this kind of treatment, and I must say it's having a profound effect so far, after only two sessions.  My mother in law has been receiving treatments for about a year now to treat some herniated discs in her neck.  She was in sooo much pain before finding out about acupuncture, she had gone through all the cortizone shots and everything short of surgery, which would have been the next step by western standards.  She didn't want the surgery so she started researching alternative methods and that's how she learned of acupuncture.  It's amazing, every treatment gave her more and more relief, at first she was going every week, then every two weeks, now she's up to six weeks in between, and she has no more pain, she just needs to be careful with her lifting, that's all.  But she's totally pain free!

I'm rambling now, hope you find some good info. on the website.  Is there something specific you're trying to find treatment for, or just curious in general?

Maggie  :)

Thanks for the website, Maggie, I'll check it out   :)  
To ramble a bit on my own--my hubby has several bad discs in his neck and back that keep him in a lot of pain.  He's tried most of the conventional western methods of relief short of surgery--sounds a lot like your MIL.  The problem is bad enough that he can't work.  He's also overweight and that also contributes to his bad back.  But he can't exercise *because* of the bad back.  So he sits around the house eating and doing nothing, which causes him to gain more weight and...it's just a big ol' cycle that needs to be broken!  So I'm starting to think acupuncture.  I need to do some telephoning but I think even this smallish area that we live in must have at least one acupuncturist!  

I was very surprised to learn that our little area had an acupuncturist, actually- totally shocked is more like it.  If you can find one near you, it is absolutely worth researching.  The only drawback that I can think of, at least here in PA, is that it is not covered by any insurance companies, it's not considered "medical", so it's out of pocket expense.  However, it's not that astronomical, but I suppose it varies from doctor to doctor.  My MIL and T both pay about $60/session, and the herbs that he is on only cost $10/bottle, and keep in mind that as his healing progresses, his visits will not be as frequent.  As for his weight problem, that can also successfully be treated with acupunture as well, the doctor can actually make him not crave food.  T is also simultaneously receiving treatment for alcoholism, he puts needles in the outer edge of his ear for this, and it makes him not crave the taste of it - he says that beer tastes wierd to him now, like formaldihyde (sp?), so his drinking has reduced SIGNIFIGANTLY.  So, maybe your husband can be killing two birds with one stone by going this route.  I hope you are able to find one in your area!

maggie

I had accupuncture treatments for my back.  It was an interesting experience.  The doctor described my situation as needing to remove layers of pain.  Each session he would place the needles in different locations to relieve that layer of pain.  

I was always amazed at the sensation I would have when the needles were in place.  A very tingly feeling of electricity.  The doctor would tell me that was the result of the re-alignment of the nerves and natural electricity of the body.  I always felt better after the sessions.   My accupuncture was administered by an MD, so it was covered by my insurance.  Eventually the doctor admitted that he had done as much as was possible and that the surgery would still be necessary to repair the major damage I had to the discs and vertebrae.  I was grateful for the accupuncture to help me manage the pain while I waited for the surgery.  It allowed me to stay off the narcotic pain killers that they had put me on for pain management.

I think more insurance providers are allowing accupuncture - it is always worth checking.

I'm glad Trisha posted that question.  I was thinking the same thing a while ago, but didn't ask.  :-[

Thanks for the information, Sakina, BB, and Maggie.