Unexpected Chills: Bizarre Acupuncture Encounter in Ho Chi Minh City
In the early days of living in Ho Chi Minh City, I encountered a significant health issue. After two years in Vietnam, I'd gained around 20 kilograms due to the country's different eating culture compared to the West. I found myself dining out and drinking four to five nights a week, resulting in a rapid weight gain from 94 kg to 112 kg. One severe morning during Tet, I woke up in agony, unable to move.
My girlfriend offered to find help and called a friend, suggesting I visit a traditional medicine doctor for herbal treatments. However, feeling lost and vulnerable as a foreigner in Vietnam, I had no idea how to navigate the healthcare system, especially without a shared language.
Eventually, I agreed to visit the address given. The clinic, in Go Vap district, was a shabby concrete building with worn paint. Inside, I met an older man and a woman who barely spoke English, but enough for me to explain my pain. He led me upstairs and prepared a pile of needles for acupuncture.
Despite my reservations about this strange method, I trusted my girlfriend to help me. Two things made me wary: First, the idea of sticking needles in my skin to treat back pain seemed absurd when compared to proven Western medical methods. Second, I was uncomfortable with the idea of scorching hot February temperatures in a room with open windows, no air conditioning, and a roaring fan.
The man instructed me to remove my shirt and sit in the chair. He inspected my neck and shoulders before inserting numerous needles into my skin. Without warning, he turned on a machine, and electric currents jolted through the wires, causing me to twitch like a fish out of water. Though I expressed my discomfort repeatedly, the situation was dire, and I had no other choice but to endure the treatment.
Illustrative Photo.
After about five minutes of electric shocks, I was exhausted. I couldn't even text anyone to ask for help, as my arms were convulsing uncontrollably. "Oh God, please stop," I silently prayed. He finally stopped the treatment and, surprisingly, refused payment for the session.
I was happy not to pay but questioned my girlfriend's decision to send me to this place recommended by a 'crazy' friend. I wasn't sure if the treatment worked, but my neck and back did move a little more easily afterward.
In hindsight, traditional acupuncture differs significantly from electro-acupuncture, which involves electrical stimulation of needles and is used more often in hospitals and clinics for pain relief or treatments requiring more intense stimulation. Modern electro-acupuncture is based on traditional methods but is safer and better regulated within medical environments. It's important to remember, though, that staying healthy is key to avoiding such treatments.
GETTING TO THE POINT: Traditional pain relieving methods must be applied at certified centres by medical staff. VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuấn
- In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, my unhealthy lifestyle of overindulging in food-and-drink led to a rapid weight gain that strained my health-and-wellness.
- Navigating the Vietnamese healthcare system as a foreigner was challenging, especially due to the language barrier and my unfamiliarity with local medicine.
- Desperate for relief from my severe pain, I agreed to visit a traditional medicine clinic, although the thought of electro-acupuncture made me feel apprehensive about its safety and effectiveness.
- I found myself in a shabby clinic, receiving a treatment involving electric shocks and acupuncture needles, which left me feeling vulnerable and powerless.
- My initial misgivings about traditional medicine were confirmed as the intense treatment made me question the wisdom of relying on unregulated practices.
- In a reflection on my experience, I realized the importance of staying healthy through regular exercise and nutrition, thus avoiding such extreme measures in the future.
- Considering the benefits of a balanced lifestyle and evidence-based medicine, I resolved to seek out reputable health-and-wellness centers for future treatments, making travel to certified centers essential for maintaining both physical and mental health.
