Franke - Client

1. Home
2. Week van de Acupunctuur

It started in the early '80s. Pain, stiffness, inflammation, especially in my lower back. 'It must be in my head,' I thought for a long time. I didn't go to the doctor quickly either, I thought my painful joints were just part of the deal and didn't have much confidence in conventional care. It wasn't until eight or nine years later that I got examined and received the diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Only paracetamol
Many fellow sufferers take heavy medication, but if I could go without them for those first nine years, why would I start now? Those medications are also bad for your liver. In people with Ankylosing Spondylitis, the organs are often not that strong, so I'm not taking that risk. I only use paracetamol. And I've been going to the acupuncturist for 30 years now!
How did I end up there? I had just been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and had once again endured a winter with a lot of pain. I read an article in a local newspaper in which an acupuncturist talked about her work, so I called to make an appointment. That was in 1991. Nowadays, I even go for treatment twice a week!

Reset
What does acupuncture do for me? It's quite difficult to explain, it feels like my body is being reset by the treatments. Right from the first treatment - I was 37 or 38 years old at the time - I noticed a difference. In the following years, my wife and I had children. A busy time, especially for me as a stay-at-home dad. The treatments with the acupuncturist helped me tremendously during that period.

Best fit
Does my pain go away with acupuncture? Unfortunately not, but it definitely takes the edge off. I notice this especially when my acupuncturist is on vacation. She then places dots on my body so that I can treat myself in her absence, but after a week or two, I realize that it's really time for a proper treatment again. And when I compare myself to other Ankylosing Spondylitis patients, I consider myself quite fit!

I would wish this for so many more people. And I would love it if the effectiveness of acupuncture also receives more attention from rheumatologists and other specialists. That's why I'm sharing my story!

Vrijdag

Donderdag

Woensdag

Dinsdag

Maandag