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"Just learn to live with it? I don't think so!" – Karel shares his story.
Just over six years ago, Karel began experiencing numbness in the soles of his feet. His GP diagnosed him with polyneuropathy. Over the following months, the numbness gradually spread upwards towards his lower legs. When he returned to his GP, he was told that little could be done.
‘He said: We don't have anything for that. I can't help you. You'll just have to learn to live with it.’
His search for possible solutions led him to acupuncturist Joost Zalm. As part of Acupuncture Awareness Week, Karel shares his experiences with acupuncture and what the treatments have meant to him.
Karel is an active man who continues to look for possibilities, even when life presents challenges. He is independent-minded, with a healthy dose of stubbornness. With a background in business administration and professional experience in both the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, he is familiar with the world of healthcare. But eventually, he found himself on the other side, as a patient.
‘Acupuncture makes my life easier and more manageable. That's what matters most.’
Just learn to live with it
Just over six years ago, Karel began experiencing numbness in the soles of his feet. His GP diagnosed him with polyneuropathy. Over the following months, the numbness gradually spread upwards towards his lower legs. When he returned to his GP, he was told that little could be done.
‘He said: We don't have anything for that. I can't help you. You'll just have to learn to live with it.’ Karel laughs as he recalls the conversation. According to him, there is one thing you should never tell him: that something is impossible or that he should simply accept his situation. ‘That's when I get fired up and start searching every corner of the internet.’
That search eventually led him to acupuncturist Joost Zalm in Amersfoort. During their first conversation, Karel asked him directly whether he thought he could help. Joost explained that he had previously treated people with similar symptoms. This sparked Karel's curiosity.
‘That's when I thought: There's more to this world than I can possibly imagine.’
Discovering what acupuncture can offer
Karel now receives acupuncture treatments regularly. His polyneuropathy has not disappeared, and walking is still more difficult than it used to be. But he has noticed a real difference. ‘The numbness hasn't spread any further, and remarkably, some of the feeling has actually returned. I still have the condition, but it's manageable.’
Karel also finds support from his acupuncturist for other health concerns. For example, he has experienced improvements in brain fog and various other ailments that have come with age. What appeals to him is that the treatment goes beyond focusing on a single complaint. Attention is given to whatever is affecting him at that particular moment.
He doesn't fully understand how acupuncture works. During their sessions, Joost explains what he is doing and which processes he is trying to influence. Karel finds it fascinating, although he readily admits that he still cannot quite get his head around it.
‘I still don't understand how acupuncture works. But I notice that it works for me. And when you're being treated by a friendly, pleasant acupuncturist, that's an added bonus.’
He has never been afraid of the needles, not even during a scalp acupuncture treatment involving longer needles inserted just beneath the skin along his scalp.
‘I could feel that, but it was pain with a purpose. Apart from that, the treatments rarely hurt.’
Staying positive and continuing to explore possibilities
Alongside his treatments, Karel's own approach to life plays an important role. He has experienced his share of hardships, including the unexpected loss of his first wife. During that difficult period, he discovered woodcarving. The concentration it required helped him take his mind off things.
He continues to maintain a positive outlook, even though he acknowledges that growing older can sometimes be confronting. At 79, he still felt like a fit and energetic man in his seventies. But around his eightieth birthday, he began noticing that certain things no longer came quite so easily.
Nevertheless, he is determined to keep doing the things he enjoys. He hopes to celebrate his hundredth birthday. Karel is keen to share his positive attitude with others. In several Facebook groups for people with polyneuropathy, he talks about his experiences. He has noticed that many people are still unfamiliar with acupuncture as a possible option.
His advice to others is clear: ‘Stay positive and keep looking. Don't automatically accept a 'no' or a 'you'll just have to learn to live with it' from your specialist. Keep searching for solutions.’
More Stories During Acupuncture Awareness Week
This interview is part of Acupuncture Awareness Week 2026, with this year's theme: Vitality Throughout Life with Acupuncture. This campaign explores how acupuncture can support health and well-being at different stages of life. Read other personal stories and discover the perspectives of both patients and acupuncturists.
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