Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thursdays child]

Is this a bunch of beep or do I just not understand....

Just had acupuncture (did the trick) and came home... My Korean MIL is insisting I not have a shower for 24 hours. It started an argument between us. She cannot say 'why' I shouldn't shower but can't believe I don't know about this!

Is this just a 미신 or is there a reason.

(P.S - I had a shower - it's hot and I played basketball)

[tob55]

actually you were told correctly...the acupuncture releases energy in your body (this does not mean it creates heat energy), that is sensitive to heat variations, so actually, if you take or in your case took a shower within the period of time you were told not to, then you will greatly reduce or even eliminate the healing affects the acupunture has on your body, with the possibility of some fairly nasty side effects as well...You can PM me if you want more specific information, and I will be glad to give it to you...

[ED209]

No, it's proven medical fact taught to every doctor and nurse in the world ever. What's wrong with you? Do you wanna die?

Sorry, do you mean it's a 'bunch of crap' as in acupuncturists don't believe it or it's 'a bunch of crap' in that modern science doesn't believe it?

[tob55]

from her post it appears she is questioning the legitimacy of the no shower rule after acupuncture...

[maeil]

I second what tob55 said.

You won't die, certainly, but I have also always been taught never to shower or wash after acupuncture. I was never told 24 hours (always less than that), but everyone is different.

[thursdays child]

Ooooh - thanks for that. I didn't know!

I checked out some acupuncture sites and could not find that info.

I just thought it was a korean superstitious thing - my MIL is full of them. My acupuncturist did not give me any directions regarding showers.

pps. I'm not a 'he'

[ED209]

I've also noticed that doctors will mention not to shower after minor surgery and that even the fellas who do piercings will mention it, but I've only heard this from Koreans. Is there any necessity to this? I was always told to keep wounds clean. But from the sound of this it is about 'energy', thus has a very pseudo-science feel to it.

[poet13]

Wouldn't taking a shower right after acupuncture increase your risk of infection through the 'holes' made by the needles?

[thursdays child]

i just went back to the acupuncturist and asked him...

He said it's fine to have a shower but try not to change your body temperature too much. So take a luke warm shower. He also said it's a popular misconception about 'no showers' - he says it stems from the old days when you could only wash in cold water or go to a Sauna and have a hot one.

And it's only for 6 hours before and after treatment that caution should be applied.

[tob55]

There is always the risk of introducing bacteria and other substances which could lead to infection when the skin is pierced in any way...Regarding the transfer and release of energy from having the acupuncture, it is not as much pseudo-sciience or pseudo-medicine as it would seem, because the physiology of the human body has natural patterns of energy flowing from different parts of the body...The acupuncture works to release energy that is blocked for some reason, thus if the energy is disrupted by introducing a heat source or pressure source from something else such as a shower, it will produce a range of limitation to complete elimination of the healing process for which the acupuncture was given in the first place...

My particular area of specialization is in acupressure, but the same principles apply for both areas of practice...The absolute minimum would be 6 hours as your acupuncturist said, but it is always better to err on the side of safety first...

[ED209]

[eamo]

[tob55]

The engery is both electrical and fluid...connected to specific and non-specific neurological pathways in the body...Medical research studies using magnetic ressonance imagery (MRI) in combination with acupuncture in particular have shown some interesting results regarding the flow of energy throughout the body...Western medicine is making more discoveries regarding the use of acupuncture as it regards the "energy" of which you speak...This is why it is becoming more common among allopathic physicians to have an open mind regarding its use...As I said, my particular area of practice is in acupressure, so I cannot speak specifically to the use of acupuncture, even though I studied it when I was in medical school...

I give very little credence to people who suppose that the "energy" is spiritual in nature only...While there are research studies pointing to the power of the mind regarding healing and the body, the practice of medicine in any form should as you have stated be based in scientific findings that can be tested and proven to work...I am hoping to do some additional research in this area and would be interested in hearing any questions you have regarding your own findings, if you want to share them...You can present them here or PM me which would be fine as well, and I will take some time to give you more information...Thanks

[JMO]

[OiGirl]