Intersticial Cystitis - Patient interview

Nov 23

At the beginning of this year, I had the pleasure to start treating Francesca, a 29 year old, who had been suffering with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) for around 14 months.

Francesca is now almost pain free from IC and so I asked her if she would be up for answering some questions about her experience and share some of her story. And very kindly, she said yes. I am very excited to share with you a patients side of acupuncture.

Why did you first consider acupuncture?

Francesca: Having spent nearly a year receiving invasive hospital treatments to try and alleviate the pain I experienced from interstitial cystitis I decided to look into alternative therapies. After doing some extensive reading in group forums and reading positive outcomes through acupuncture I decided to give it a go.

What were your expectations of acupuncture?

Francesca: If I am honest with the little experience I had with holistic medicine, I had very low expectations of acupuncture and what benefits it would bring to me having been in chronic pain for so long.

What were the outcomes of your treatment?

Francesca: The outcomes were beyond anything I could have imagined. After 6 months of receiving acupuncture alongside natural supplements the difference I felt in myself was incredible. I can happily say that I am virtually pain free.

How would you describe Alice as your practitioner?

Francesca: Alice is an amazing practitioner. She is incredibly knowledgeable and will always take the time to listen to what you are trying to achieve and explain how she is going to help you reach your goals. If you have other symptoms alongside your main problem she will also work to alleviate those as well. She is compassionate, kind, and always makes me feel at ease whenever I am in her clinic.

What impact has acupuncture had on your health and life?

Francesca: Acupuncture has given me my life back. When you have experienced chronic pain it’s hard to think that it could ever go away but the results I saw in such a short space of time really surprised me.

Can you sum up your health journey with Acupuncture and Alice?

Francesca: Being diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis made me re-evaluate my lifestyle and the way I was treating my body. It can be quite a change having to cut out different food groups and learn to properly take care of your mind and body, but Alice was on hand to guide me through the different stages and never judged me if I had a slight relapse. Without Alice’s help I don’t think I would be back to feeling like my old self.

Patients like Francesca are why I am an acupuncturist, and its my honour to have been able to help Francesca get her life back. I would like to say a massive thank you to Francesca, for opening up about your experiences and for your amazing words!

If you too suffer from interstitial cystitis, or any other chonic illness, don’t suffer silently. Get in touch and see if acupuncture could help you.