It was April, and, it seemed, that every single flower had bloomed during the exact same week.  Pollen covered every car, and I was a cranky b*tch because my allergies we keeping me up at night.  During the day, my eyes were swelling shut, and I was miserable!  I should be accustomed to allergies, I've had them for as long as I can remember, but something HAD to be done.

I mentioned this to a friend of mine up in NYC, and she explained that she used to have allergies as well.  But 2 years ago, she underwent treatment with an acupuncturist for fertility, and it also ended up clearing up her allergies (she did, by the way get pregnant, and have a self-described “wonderful pregnancy.”  Her baby just turned 1).  I thought to myself, if I am this miserable, what have I got to lose?  Later that week, I brought it up with one of my closes and oldest friends.  She also had been undergoing acupuncture therapy. In fact, acupuncture helped her quit smoking.  I decided to go for it; my friend referred me to Nina Pan, who has offices in Bensalem and Marlton NJ.

The first thing that struck me when I did my pre-visit homework on her website was her background.  Nina's undergraduate degree is in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She has also worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she conducted research of human diseases at the cellular level.  I loved this complementary educational background.  When I arrived for my first appointment, the scientific was again paired with eastern medicine; she actually works out of a doctor's office.  No incense burning, chanting, or anything that us westerners would perceive as abnormal (ok, she does play a cd…not really abnormal). A waiting room, little examination rooms, the regular.

Nina led me to one of the exam rooms.  And to my surprise, she sat down!  We proceeded to have a long, perhaps 30 minute, conversation about my health.  She did want to know what brought me to her (my allergies) but she wanted an overview of my entire health profile.  Did I sleep well?  How was my diet?  How were my energy levels?  Do you find that you are often thirsty?  I found this refreshing.  It makes so much sense, I mean everything in the body effects each other.

After the initial consultation, I had my first acupuncture treatment.  You lie down on a padded examination table, with pillows beneath your head and knees.  It really isn't a painful procedure, basically, Nina takes what look like a straight pin (the kind the tailor uses when hemming your pants) and she puts in a little plastic tube (like a thin clear straw).  She places is over your skin, and she with a little flick she sticks it in.  It's no more painful than if you reached over and pinched yourself. I have noticed that sometimes I get a tingling sensation, or dull pain (similar to if your foot fell asleep) once in a while when she inserts the pin.  Nina says this is actually a good thing, it relates to the release of the energy in that spot.

You have to stay very still during this process, because the needles aren't placed deeply at all.    Nina places the pins along what are called “meridians” that correlate to your ailments.  For me, she always uses two stress points, one on the top of my head, and one in between my eyes.  She also uses points around my wrists and ankles that correlate to allergies. Then she leaves you to rest, or to meditate, for 20-30 minutes.  I often bring along my headphones, because sometimes the office is a little noisy.  Once in a while I will even take a tiny nap during the treatment.

Separate and distinct from my allergies, I have had stress related jaw pain (tmj pain) for several years now. After my first week of acupuncture, I did notice a significant reduction of jaw pain.  I was also having better luck with my allergies.  I wasn't 100% cured, but they certainly became a lot more manageable.  I initially went to Nina once a week for 6 weeks.

Something that impressed me about Nina was that she continued to be attentive of my entire well being.  She asks leading questions in the beginning of each visit to ensure she is doing as much as she can for you.  I was also impressed that Nina suggested I switch to a once-every-6-weeks treatment after my initial treatment.  And am I cured?  Well, I don't have jaw pain anymore, which is quite a miracle.  When it gets to my 4th or 5th week out from my treatment, it does start to come back, and then disappears again after my treatment.  I still do take allergy medication at night, but I have to say I have never had such manageable allergies before.

So that's it.  I wanted to share my positive experience with my readers.  Nina Pan's office is at 2422 Bristol Road, Bensalem, PA 19020.  She is only in PA for part of the week.  Her initial consultation is $105, but she is $65 for every visit afterward. Certain insurance plans to cover a little portion, call you insurance provider for this information.  Call (215) 718-8988 or (856) 381-6996 to schedule an appointment…. do me a favor and tell her that Bucks Happening sent you!

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