#Acupoints

[suoxi-hospital]

Say Goodbye to Back Pain: A Guide to Exploring Acupuncture Treatment

Back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be debilitating, interfering with daily activities, work, and sleep. If you're one of the many people suffering from back pain, you've likely tried various treatments to find relief. Traditional pain relievers, physical therapy, and even surgery may have been considered. If you're one of those suffering, you've likely tried numerous remedies, from over-the-counter medications to physical therapy. But have you considered acupuncture treatment? Or have you explored the ancient practice of acupuncture? Let's learn some magical practices of acupuncture treatment. 

Acupuncture, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, is gaining increasing popularity in the West as a complementary treatment for back pain. It involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body believed to be connected to meridians, or energy pathways. Stimulating these points is thought to promote the flow of qi (pronounced "chee"), the body's vital energy, leading to:

Acupuncture has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years to treat various health conditions, including back pain. It involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow, known as Qi. This stimulation is believed to promote healing and pain relief.

Understanding Back Pain

Before diving into acupuncture, let's understand the different types of back pain:

Acute back pain: This sudden and sharp pain usually lasts a few days to weeks and often results from muscle strain, ligament sprain, or disc herniation.

Chronic back pain: This persistent pain lasts for more than three months and can be caused by various factors, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spinal stenosis.

Acupuncture for Back Pain Relief

Research suggests that acupuncture can be effective in relieving both acute and chronic back pain. A 2017 review of studies concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for chronic lower back pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also acknowledges the potential benefits of acupuncture for back pain management.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

While the exact mechanism of acupuncture's pain-relieving effect is still being researched, several theories exist:

Qi and Meridians: This philosophy believes in vital energy called "Qi" flowing through the body along pathways called "meridians." Disruptions in Qi flow are thought to cause illness. Acupuncture points are seen as specific locations where Qi can be accessed and rebalanced.

Stimulation of acupoints: By inserting needles into these points, practitioners aim to influence Qi flow, promoting healing and restoring balance.

Western Scientific Perspective

Nervous System Stimulation: Needles trigger the nervous system, sending signals to the spinal cord and brain. This releases various chemicals, including pain-relieving endorphins, anti-inflammatory compounds, and immune system modulators.

Improved Blood Circulation: Acupuncture may increase blood flow to the treated area, promoting tissue repair and pain relief.

Both perspectives acknowledge that acupuncture can have beneficial effects, but the exact mechanisms remain under investigation. Research suggests that the combined effects of nervous system stimulation, chemical release, and improved blood flow likely contribute to acupuncture's efficacy.

What to Expect During an Acupuncture Session

A typical acupuncture session lasts about 30-60 minutes. Here's what you can expect:

You'll lie comfortably on a treatment table while the acupuncturist asks about your pain and medical history.

The acupuncturist will then select specific acupuncture points based on your diagnosis and TCM principles.

Thin, sterile needles are inserted at these points with minimal discomfort. You may feel a slight tingling or dull ache when the needles are inserted, but it shouldn't be painful.

The needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes, during which time you can relax and listen to music or read.

Once the needles are removed, you may feel a sense of relaxation and pain relief.

Things to Consider Before Trying Acupuncture

Consult your doctor first: If you have any underlying medical conditions or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before trying acupuncture.

Find a qualified acupuncturist: Ensure your acupuncturist is licensed and experienced in treating back pain.

Be realistic about expectations: Acupuncture may not provide immediate or complete pain relief for everyone. It may take several sessions to see significant improvement.

Be patient and consistent: Regular acupuncture sessions are often recommended for optimal results.

Acupuncture as Part of a Holistic Approach

While acupuncture can be a valuable tool for back pain relief, it's important to remember that it's not a cure-all. Combining acupuncture with other treatment modalities like physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle modifications can offer a more comprehensive approach to managing back pain.

In Conclusion

If you're struggling with back pain, acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option worth exploring. With its ability to address the root cause of pain and promote overall well-being, acupuncture can offer a natural path to relief and healing. Remember to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment and choose a qualified acupuncturist for optimal results.

[fitforestfairy]

Rest and recovery day ✨

[modernreflexology]

Acupressure is a great treatment option for natural acne and pimples. Try these 8 acupressure points to get relieve from acne for smooth and flawless skin, sitting at your house

[yamahamusicians]

Nokta SCORE and DOUBLE SCORE Metal Detectors, plus Acupoint Pinpointer

Nokta is a company that never rests on its laurels, and true to form, they continue to raise the bar for affordable yet powerful metal detectors. The company has just announced two new simultaneous multi-frequency machines named “SCORE” and “DOUBLE SCORE”. Both are fully waterproof and submersible to 5 meters. It appears they have taken the already successful Legend and transformed it into a more…

[bbcphile]

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! This week, LLH and DFS finally fight--with words, not swords, of course, but it's no less vicious. Here's the opening of that argument.

(You can find earlier excerpts here.)

Di Feisheng flung more qi at the acupoint to reinforce the barrier, forced himself not to wince at the spike of pain it triggered, and took a slow, deliberate breath, forcing his lungs steady. “I’ve told you: It’s not a problem Yangzhouman can fix,” he gritted out. “You have your answer. Now drop it.” 

Li Lianhua stared at him a minute more, his eyes narrowed, then he nodded to himself, the corner of his lips curling up in a faint, pained smile. He looked down at his thumb, stroking the fur on his cloak. “No,” he said at last. “I won’t. I refuse to cause you any more pain.”

Di Feisheng froze, the words a slap in the face. A whooshing noise filled his ears and his vision went gray around the edges. “You don’t want to hurt me? Then don’t die.” 

Li Lianhua closed his eyes and bowed his head. “A-Fei–”

“–Is that too unclear? Then hear this: your death would hurt me more than any headache, sword, or torture ever could.”

Li Lianhua buried his fingers in the fur collar. 

“The question, Li Xiangyi,” Di Feisheng growled, his qi howling through his meridians, his entire body vibrating with it, “is why do you keep insisting otherwise? Do you think I’m lying? Are you lying to yourself? Or do you just want me to beg you on my knees?” 

For several long seconds, Xiangyi was motionless, apart from the slight rise and fall of his chest with his breath. 

He slowly lifted his head, every cùn dripping with command, and pierced Di Feisheng with a glare every bit as sharp as Shaoshi had been. A look he’d hardly seen in the last decade. “That’s not my name,” he said, his voice colder than it had been since their battle on the sea. “Li Xiangyi is dead.”

[gay-disabled-characters-showdown]

LGBTQ+ Disabled Characters Showdown Round 2, Wave 3, Poll 1

A character being totally canon LGBTQ+ and disabled was not required to be in this competition. Please check qualifications and propaganda before asking why a character is included.

Check out the other polls in this wave and prior here.

Gobber-How To Train Your Dragon

Qualifications:

He has a prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg. And is confirmed to be gay (in an admittedly really weird way :/)

Propaganda:

He's gay. He's disabled. He's a viking. He's good at his job. He has a stone tooth. He uses his arm prosthetic like a toolbelt. He knows a lot about dragons. Idk man. He's cool

Zhou Zishu-Faraway Wanderers / Tian Ya Ke

Qualifications:

He is mlm, though there's no consensus in fandom whether he's bi or gay. (He had slept with women prior to meeting his male love interest, but the way he speaks of that kinda doesn't make it sound like he enjoyed it? So there's room for interpretation. Maybe hes bi who just happened to settle with a man, maybe hes a late bloomer gay.) Either way, the novel's main romance is his relationship with another man, and they are in a committed relationship by the end! Now, for the disability part. He has a physical disability that's a result of, how do I put it, non-realistic circumstances (stabbing poisoned nails into his acupoints non-realistic), but I think it qualifies for how it affects him.

To start with, he is a martial artist, but the nails thing limits him to about half of his normal ability. Which is still pretty significant given he used to be one of the top talents of his generation, but there are many instances throughout the book where he finds himself frustrated, inconvenienced, or endangered by being unable to do what he *used to* be able to do, which I think tracks with acquired disability experience. Next, the nails also give him chronic pain issues with daily (or rather, nightly) flare ups, and additional ones when he strains himself. That usually last for several hours. (Fandom also theorizes that this leaves him chronically sleep deprived, but it's more conjecture than textual.)

Then, his biggest issue is that the nails are slowly killing him, and he has like 2-3 years to live... but uh given it's a happy ending novel his friend gives him an experimental surgery and it works out. But! Gotta note that I don't think it counts as a case of 'magically cured disability' trope. It is plainly stated that he will still have some issues post-surgery - just, y'know, no longer life-ending ones. The tl;dr here is that while his situation is not something possible in the real world, it still affects him in a way an acquired physical disability may: limits things he can do compared to his pre-injury state, results in chronic pain issues, and requires difficult medical intervention to stymie the negative effects.

Propaganda:

Zhou Zishu, how do I explain him... He is a spymaster and an assassin. He put the current Emperor on the throne. He committed atrocities. He lost the person he saw as his little brother as a result. He still thinks he did what was right, in the grand scheme of things. He decides to start his retirement at age 28 by stabbing a bunch of poisoned nails into his chest, disguising himself as a beggar, and vanishing into jianghu to daydrink and sightsee. He is living his best life, all 3 remaining years of it. He is in pain every night. He meets a man who, unexpectedly, understands him with a glance... and then begins to annoy him ceaselessly, insisting he has fallen for Zishu at first sight.

Cue Zhou Zishu's horrified realization that he's not only into men, but into this clown in particular. Zishu falls in love the way a cat falls into a bath - hes trying to get out but keeps slipping back, and hes hissing all the while. (We love to bully him for his clownsexual ways.) (Also, if this makes anybody want to check out the novel, remember: Zhou Zishu is an unreliable narrator and Will lie to you. Pay attention to his actions and reactions, not just what he *says* he thinks!) Now, I could spend hours gushing about how WenZhou (the couple's ship name, and yes they are canon and the main romantic storyline) gave me unrealistic standards for romance, but I'm gonna hold myself back from writing a 6k essay and focus on the theme of the tournament. I consider Zhou Zishu a disabled protagonist because: while his situation itself is non-realistic (aforementioned 'stabbing a bunch of poisoned nails into his chest'), the way it affects him is actually pretty similar, and in some ways really the same, to how an acquired physical disability may affect a person. First, it limits what he can do, physical activity-wise, to about half of his pre-injury state. (Which is still rather a lot, given he used to be a top dog martial artist, but it's still noticeable to him.) Second, it gives him chronic pain issues, with nightly flare-ups. (And additional ones when he strains himself.) (Also, at a certain point in the book his love interest starts holding him through his flare ups. Which doesn't lessen the pain but does help Zishu cope with it better. It's very important to me that it doesn't magically help but it does Mentally help and thats enough. The "stay with him morning and night, holding his hand" of it all (; v ;) yes thats a quote from the book.) And third, it requires a difficult surgery to stymie its negative effects (him dying in three years ones). (Yeah btw its not the case of magic surgery perfectly 'fixing' (bleugh) the character; he still need physical-therapy-analogue after it, and his uh medical professional also states he will likely still have some issues post-op.)

[phnmnt]

Shen Yuan shixiong AU - Part 24

New Roots

Ming Fan woke up to the sound of loud voices followed by a terrible screeching sound. He rubbed his eyes and clicked his tongue, annoyed that his rest was interrupted by a bunch of idiots who couldn’t keep it down after curfew.

“Shizun, we need to find an open area! The qi is hurting everyone!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Ming Fan instantly woke up, jumped out of bed, and ran to the door barefooted. He opened it, only to be washed over with an overwhelming unstable spiritual energy that made him weak in the knees. A group of people had stopped in front of his room, discussing urgently in loud voices to cover the terrible screeching coming from who knows where.

“Shen shixiong!”

One of the figures froze and turned to him with a pair of round eyes. It was Shen Yuan shixiong. He was finally back! Shen Yuan was about to open his mouth to answer when their shizun, who was accompanying him along with a varied group of people, cut right in.

“Ming Fan, stay here and make sure that nobody follows us. A-Yuan, follow me.”

Ming Fan, sensing like the situation truly was urgent, acknowledged the order with a nod and went to grab his boots by the bed in a hurry. As soon as he stepped outside, the group left immediately, leaving the space in front of the dormitory empty except for one person.

“Shimei?”

Ning Yingying smiled weakly as she watched the group disappear in the bamboo forest. Ming Fan noticed how paled she looked and went to offer his help. His shimei didn’t refuse, grabbing his arm with what little strength she had left. Some younger disciples came out of their rooms, confused and curious about what had happened. Ming Fan barked a few orders, sending them back inside, before sitting Ning Yingying on a stone bench by the moon gate at the entrance of the dormitories.

“Shixiong, don’t worry about me. I just need to catch my breath.”

Ming Fan squatted in front of her, studying her face with worry.

“What happened? What were you doing with shixiong’s group? And why are you…? Yingying, did you exchange patrol nights with someone again?”

Ning Yingying pressed a few of her chest acupoints with a frown. She gestured to give her a minute to recover before opening her mouth to explain.

“I’m sorry, shixiong. I did. I just… I missed Shen shixiong and Luo shidi so much. I wanted to be the first to greet them at the gate. And I couldn’t sleep anyway when I learned they were on their way back.”

“Yingying, that’s a whole week of patrol you just imposed on your body. How many hours did you sleep this week?”

“…Not as much as I should’ve.”

Ming Fan sighed, rubbing his eyes in exasperation.

“Shixiong, this shimei is sorry. But I promise I was fine! I was starting to feel a little tired, but nothing serious. It’s… this unstable qi. It was so strong. Even shizun didn’t look too good when he got closer to Noodle.”

Ming Fan blinked.

“Noodle?”

“Mn. Remember the last letter shixiong and A-Luo sent me? Noodle didn’t just get hurt.”

“Then, what’s happening?”

Ning Yingying looked in the direction the group had disappear.

“He’s about to become a dragon.”

--

“Over here!”

Shen Qingqiu had brought them to a big clearing deep in the bamboo forest, away from any form of human life. Shen Yuan ran to the middle, cradling the dusu snake that kept twisting in pain in his arms.

“Shh- It’s ok, you’re ok, you’re fine.”

Truthfully, Shen Yuan was trying to convince himself more than the poor dusu snake. He reached the middle of the soft grass field in a few long strides and knelt there. Luo Binghe followed closely, settling himself in front of him before using his spiritual energy to soothe the creature as much as he could.

The situation didn’t look promising. Shen Yuan’s sleeves were covered in small iridescent scales… and blood. He had studied dusu snakes for years without coming across any cases like this one. Very few among their species became dragons to begin with and it was near impossible to obtain a specimen about to transform. Shen Yuan felt powerless. He thought back on their trip and something finally clicked in his mind.

Noodle had cultivated too fast. They had fought so much and went to so many places full of spiritual energy…

Shen Yuan’s vision turned blurry. He wanted to apologize, but Noodle probably couldn’t hear him now. He pulled the dusu snake closer, hugging him to his chest. The latter’s current body wasn’t strong enough to undergo a dragon transformation and… he might…

Noodle suddenly went completely still. Shen Yuan looked down in panic, only to see a pair of now colorful eyes staring right back at him with complete trust. A small pitiful cry came from the creature, rooting his master to the place he had knelt.

Shen Yuan lifted his gaze to Luo Binghe who simply smiled at him calmly.

Standing at the edge of the open space, Shen Qingqiu’s patience was wearing thin. Why didn’t those two leave the snake? He himself couldn’t get close, the unstable qi made him nauseous and feel like he was going to faint. How strong did his disciples become to bear such a powerful unstable qi without flinching? Or was A-Yuan simply being unreasonable, forcing himself to stay with his pet?

“A-Yuan, you can’t stay there! A-Yuan!”

But Shen Qingqiu’s voice didn’t reach his prized disciple. The ground had started to shake, and wind enveloped the trio, creating a strong spiritual barrier in the middle of the forest glade. From it, Luo Binghe locked eyes with his shizun. Shen Qingqiu felt familiar and powerful emotions assaulting his senses, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He hated this. Why couldn’t he get close? Why was he still so weak after all those years? Leaving him weaker than this- this Luo Binghe… Why?!

Noodle’s cries suddenly turned even more heartbreaking. Shen Yuan kept him close, tears streaming down his face as he repeated words of comfort to the dusu snake. It… wasn’t going well. He could feel Noodle’s life essence rapidly going out, slipping between his fingers. But if it was to be his old and first friend last moments, he wanted to accompany him to the end. He suddenly felt a pair of strong, youthful arms encircling him. Shen Yuan smiled despite the tears. His shidi didn’t have to accompany him to this extent. But he did. And he was immensely grateful for it. A gentle warmth spread from his heart, gently soothing his mind.

“A-YUAN!”

Still sitting in the middle of the forest glade, both disciples closed their eyes in unison as a harsh white light enveloped them. The gigantic amount of unstable qi was completely washed away in an instant, leaving only a strange electric atmosphere as the light blinded everyone at the scene.

A short moment passed before the light slowly receded, absorbed by something unknown. Soon after, the palpable charged energy followed.

Shen Yuan felt the weight in his arms disappear, ripping a whimper of desperation from his throat. He opened his eyes, intending to search for Noodle. As he did so, his retina was instantly drowned in an ocean of soft iridescent colors. For a moment, everything seemed to sit completely still, and only the gentle reflections of light dancing in the air like charming little pieces of crystal created an ocean of moving colors. Amidst the different waves, a pair of large reptilian eyes greeted his own calmly, the corner lifting in fondness when Shen Yuan stared back in surprise.

“…Noodle?”

The system’s voice, which he hadn’t heard for a long time, suddenly resonated in his head.

“Carapace ability : 50% damage reduction successful! Applied to user and their companions!” “Qing Jing Peak’s favor +50pts!” “Noodle’s favor +500pts!” “Noodle’s favor [ BONUS ] +???points to •••••••” “Protagonist’s halo compatibility with [*Noodle*] successful. +1000 ally points +0 shielding points!” “Completion of master-level quest +1500pts!” “New skills now available on the user skill tree!” “Congratulations! Please continue to work hard!”

But Shen Yuan wasn’t listening. His body refused to move, remaining frozen in face of the unfamiliar creature. A dragon.

Noodle released a short and sharp breath, ruffling his master’s hair from a distance. Shen Yuan jumped, not expecting the playful attitude from Noodle right after successfully cheating death. He swallowed with difficulty, his emotions still bouncing wildly around in his exhausted mind, and raised a trembling hand, reaching for Noodle’s new fluffy tail hovering above his head. “You’re… so big now.” Shen Yuan’s voice broke on the last syllable. Fat tears quickly filled his eyes, escaping in two seemingly never-ending streams which quickly drenched the collar of his clothes. “Y-You’re- You’re alive…!” He quickly let go of the tail to stand on his knees, throwing himself at Noodle who welcomed him in his embrace. The latter leaned on his master’s sobbing form with a soothing noise, something close to both purring and a low growl. Shen Yuan hid his face on the dragon’s body, both relieved that Noodle somehow survived the painful experience of turning into a dragon and embarrassed at how little he was able to restrain his emotions. Unbeknownst to him, Noddle met another pair of eyes. Luo Binghe silently stared back. Noodle then closed his eyes, bending his neck in a graceful arch as if he was bowing to the young man. Luo Binghe’s eyebrows shot up in shock when he heard two clear words echoing in his mind. “Thank you.”

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 8.5 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 -Part 14 - Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 - Part 21 - Part 22 - Part 23

[oneiriad]

Di Feisheng slams into the ground shoulder first, his body plowing a furrow easily twice its own length before finally coming to a halt.

"A-Fei!"

Before Fang Duobing can rush to his side, Li Lianhua restrains him with a hand on his arm. Fang Duobing turns towards him to protest, to yank his arm free - only to see him complete focused on the direction that Di Feisheng came from.

Two dots, one red and one black, rapidly growing larger, growing closer, until they reveal themselves to be two men, gliding through the air and clearly preparing to land.

Even from this distance the sheer power rolling off the pair of them is - immense. Li Lianhua at his best is a brightly burning bonfire of qi lighting up the night.

These two?

These two are a forest fire.

The man in red touches down first and starts walking towards them, his weapon left at his side.

Fang Duobing shakes off Li Lianhua and draws his blade with an order to stop, but the man doesn't even bother to look at him, just walks past as if he's little more than air and comes to a halt by the wreck of Di Feisheng.

There's a groan and Di Feisheng turns, slowly, half his limbs angled every way except the ones they are supposed to go. He squints up at the man in red and his hand somehow fumbles for the sword that's fallen by his side.

The man in red frowns down at him, then glances back at where the man in black has landed. The man in black nods at him, once.

The man in red reaches into his sleave and Li Lianhua manages to stop Fang Duobing again before he does something foolishly heroic. As it turns out, it's not some knife or other weapon that's being fished out. Just something small and round that he drops on Di Feisheng's chest.

A fumble with his still working arm and Di Feishing lifts what turns out to be a tiny medicine bottle. He glares suspiciously at it, then at the man in red.

"Well?" the man says with an impatient note, then nods towards the man in black.

The man in black, the old horror standing a few feet away, who is - jabbing his fingers in a complicated pattern against his acupoints, locking down meridians until he is almost, just almost like a regular person.

Almost.

Apparently satisfied with the result he holds out his hand, summoning a wicked looking halberd to him and spinning it one-handed before coming to an attentive rest.

Fang Duobing makes a confused sound, but Di Feishing seems to have already grasped what he needs of the situation and is shaking the pill he's been offered straight into his mouth.

The man in red looks back at Fang Duobing and Li Lianhua, not even bothering to turn to face them properly.

"It's not every day the Venerable accepts an invitation to spar."

The sound of Di Feisheng's body putting itself properly back together, bones cracking as they straighten and flesh slurping as it fuses, is sickening, and yet the man does not make a single noise.

He rolls to his feet, shedding his outer robe with a shrug and kneeling to pick up his sword from the ground. Then he looks up, and there's a grin on his face, his blood-spattered lips curling back from his teeth in a snarl.

[ynkfva]

im finally on level 59 with zayne 🥺🥺

as someone who studied acupoints AND is addicted to chinese historical dramas this was a very funny chat

[suoxi-hospital]

Acupuncture for Back Pain: Relief Beyond the Needles

Preface

Back pain. It's a constant companion for millions, a nagging ache that can steal the joy from everyday activities. If you're one of those millions, you've probably tried everything: pain meds, physical therapy, even that weird yoga pose that looks like a pretzel. Acupuncture, for all its Eastern mystique, is gaining traction in the West as a treatment for chronic back pain. But what about acupuncture? That mysterious practice with the tiny needles?

What is it?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin, hair-like needles into specific points on the body called "acupoints." These points are believed to be connected to energy pathways, or meridians, that influence your health. By stimulating these points, practitioners aim to restore balance and flow to your energy, alleviating pain and promoting healing.

Beyond the Needles: The Science of Relief

While the exact mechanisms of acupuncture remain a subject of research, there are a few ways it might work its magic:

Pain relief: Acupuncture may trigger the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers. This can help reduce pain sensations and improve mood.

Inflammation reduction: Stimulation of acupoints may also decrease inflammation, a major contributor to back pain.

Improved blood flow: Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood circulation in the treated areas, aiding in healing and pain reduction.

Mind-body connection: The calming and relaxing nature of an acupuncture session can itself have a positive impact on pain perception and stress levels.

Does it work?

The short answer: it depends. Research on acupuncture's effectiveness for back pain is mixed, with some studies showing significant improvement, while others show little to no difference compared to placebo treatments. However, a 2021 review of 22 studies concluded that acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain and may be more effective than no treatment at all.

Is that treatment right for you?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe for most people, with minimal side effects like mild bruising or soreness at the needle insertion points. However, it's important to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Finding relief beyond the needles–

Whether you choose acupuncture or not, there are other things you can do to manage your back pain:

Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens your core and back muscles, improving stability and reducing pain.

Stretching: Gentle stretches can help improve flexibility and range of motion in your back.

Maintaining good posture: Be mindful throughout the day, especially when sitting and working.

Managing stress: Stress can exacerbate back pain. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

The Takeaway

Acupuncture isn't a magic bullet, but it can be valuable in your back pain management toolkit. If you're open to trying something new and are looking for a holistic approach to pain relief, acupuncture might be worth exploring. Remember, it's important to do your research, choose a qualified practitioner, and work with your doctor to find the best combination of treatments for your individual needs.

[purplehanfu]

Part for Ever: Ep 1

notes: Spoilers! five Ever because for isn't long enough. Master list of all recaps

You know the part in almost every costume drama where the leads whoosh towards each other in slo-mo as they gaze deeply into each others eyes? I always think of that type of scene as a garnish, not a main course. This drama thinks otherwise.

Yes, so many setups and situations that can facilitate the personal-space-encroaching wide-eyed time-stopping petal-dropping surprised stare. There's so much of it in this drama. Well that and shirtlessness. The male lead's clothes keep falling off. I promise it's very necessary to the story.

He's giving "giant wall mural from the heyday of Abercrombie"

But let's get to the plot.

We meet Ling Xiao as he bursts into the City Master's mansion, cape swirling as the fog machine works overtime.

He's dark and brooding, with eyebrows so sharp he could probably dual wield them if he ever lost his sword.

Scenes of carnage are intercut with Su Wan'er putting on her party clothes. She opens the doors of the main hall just in time to see Ling Xiao kill her father the City Lord.

Ling Xiao thinks that marrying the City Lord's daughter will add legitimacy to his usurpation of that position. I don't know why he cares, the city contains maybe 20 people tops.

Fast forward to the wedding and Su Wan'er is tied to the bed.

Her father's sworn brother Mr. Zhao attempts a rescue but they caught immediately by Ling Xiao.

Su Wan'er promises to marry Ling Xiao willingly if he lets Mr. Zhao live.

They resume the wedding.

After drinking the wedding wine, Ling Xiao gets handsy. When he leans in to whisper menacing yet sexy threats to her, Su Wan'er takes the initiative and bites his ear (the sound effect for this was amazing).

Ling Xiao looks surprised, then taps an acupoint to make her pass out.

The episode ends as we learn that the jealous 2nd female lead has engineered a situation that is clearly intended to interrupt the wedding night.

a sudden case of Sworn Sister Syndrome

Bonus Round: Taking a Bath in a Koi Pond

the way his entire outfit fell off in a fraction of a second, I'm laughing for real guys.

Master list of all recaps

[feidude]

one of the most heartbreaking scenes in thousand autumns for me is yan wushi’s betrayal scene

shen qiao—happily receiving yan wushi at the white dragon monastery, regarding him as his friend, sharing his bowl of dry noodles….and yan wushi? seals sq’s acupoints and delivers him straight to the hands of sang jingxing, all for a sword he doesn’t need

[bats-after-dark]

Random thought of the day, please excuse my terminology, which is probably way off: you know how in the show Huaien sometimes pokey-pokes at people's meridians to either immobilize them or make them unconscious? Could this have a sexy use? Or is it too tiring for Huaien to pull off?

OH OH OH he hits their acupoints!! wow yes it could have a sexy use. in myatb, I think they're always used to completely knock someone out, but I have def seen them used in other shows to just partially paralyze someone (while the person who got jabbed shouts at the jabber about their Annoying Betrayal ofc), so actually this would be quite handy for immobilizing Xiaobao??? or knocking him out to do a light kidnapping ig.

[bbcphile]

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! Have some more of my MLC longfic, where DFS wakes up while being carried back to Lotus Tower to a rather unpleasant surprise. (You can find all previous excerpts here.)

cw/tw: flashback to past imprisonment/allusion to past non-con (to skip, don't read the two italics lines starting with "Red robes.")

**

Di Feisheng’s eyes flew open, the faint echo of a hated bell ringing in his ears, and he tried to wrench his legs away from the arms pinning them in place.

“It’s alright, a-Fei,” soothed an oddly familiar voice, attached to not unfamiliar arms, which pressed his legs tighter against an unfamiliar flank. “You’re safe. It’s just a dream. Do you need to get down, or do you want me to keep going?”

Di Feisheng blinked and tried to force his spinning mind to work through the pulsing, stabbing pain threatening to split his head in two. He was being carried somewhere, that much was certain, but everything else had been covered by a layer of fog. Why couldn’t he remember? He shook his head to clear it and instantly regretted it, swallowing hard to force his stomach contents to stay where they were. 

“A-Fei?” The person carrying him stopped walking abruptly. “If you can hear me, tap once for down, twice to keep going home.”

Interesting. Weak and helpless as he was, he was being given choices. And as much as being stationary sounded preferable, going ‘home’ would give him time to remember what home even meant. And who this person who apparently shared it with him was. 

He tapped twice.

“Alright,” said the man carrying him. He started walking again, even more quickly than before. “It’s not much further now. You’ll be with him soon. Just hang on, a-Fei.”

Him? Who was–

–Xiangyi, his mind supplied. Li Xiangyi. Li Lianhua. 

Images of swords and slender fingers and a smirking mouth flitted through his mind.

“You can rest your head against me again, a-Fei,” the man whose hands weren’t Xiangyi’s said, “I really don’t mind.” A pause. “Or are you feeling better? Did the Yangzhouman help? I hope it’s alright that I tried again. I couldn’t think of what else to do. You weren’t responding when I called your na–”

–Yangzhouman? Xiangyi’s qi? 

He took a moment to check his meridians, and yes, there, buried under the pain and exhaustion, was its gentle, warm thrum.

“–Don’t understand! I kept it away from your Baihui acupoint this time! So what did I do wrong?” The young man sounded worried, and increasingly so by the second.

Hmm. The worst of the stabbing pain did originate in the Baihui acupoint. And there was some sort of blockage around it comprised entirely of Beifeng Baiyang–nearly a complete seal–that was keeping the rest of his too-meager qi from circulating smoothly. Yangzhouman would clear the blockage instantly, but judging from what the man had just said, clearing it had contributed to if not caused his current incapacitation. But if he only thinned out the blockage instead of eliminating it, let some of his own qi through, it might help him regain his strength along with the swaths of memories he was so clearly missing. And maybe it would make his skull feel less impaled.

Slowly, carefully, he pulled some of his qi out from his Baihui point and sent it toward Qianding closer to his forehe–

Red robes. A high-pitched giggle. Hands yanking down his undergarments, and–

Di Feisheng jerked back, gasping for breath, almost pulling free from the arms that trapped him. Or . . . held him? 

Blue robes. The jangle not of a bell or laugh but of a jade pendant against a tiger head pommel. A familiar arm and shoulder catching him before he could hit the cave floor– “A-Fei! What are you–what happened?” the man–no, Fang Duobing–asked, craning his neck to try to look over his shoulder. “Are you in pain? Should I stop?”

Di Feisheng shook his head and closed his eyes, his hands clenching into fists against Duobing’s chest as he wrestled his lungs and mind back under control. That was the past. It was over and she was dead, no matter what images were playing in his mind.  

“Alright. I’ll–I’ll go faster. Just hold on.” Duobing took off into a full sprint, Huli Jing barking and running by his side.