Poking session

WORKOUTS

Initially, colleague Sunil Jain's suggestion that I try acupuncture for my chronic, inherited asthma was greeted with scepticism. Short of Hyderabad's celebrated "fish" cure, I had tried pretty much the whole range of alternative medicine "" homeopathy, ayurveda, yoga "" to no avail.

Two and a half years of Dr Raman Kapur's treatment at his Greater Kailash clinic and I am almost afraid to say I am virtually asthma-free "" enough, certainly, to climb the Great Wall of China last month without the aid of my inhaler. A year ago, I would not even have thought of doing so.

So yes, acupuncture is worth it for anyone suffering from asthma (and a host of other diseases "" including weight loss!) but before you take the plunge, to use a bad pun, here are some FAQs worth remembering.

Does it hurt?
From someone who has a shockingly low pain threshold, the answer is no. Yes, you do feel the needle going in "" Dr Kapur uses a device that appears to work on the same principle as a clickable ball-point pen "" and they might pinch once in a while. Be prepared, though, for a bit of bruising around some points where the needles are frequently used "" but they disappear in a few days.

It is time consuming
Initially, the needling sessions take place everyday. Then, depending on your progress, the treatment tapers off to three times, twice, and finally once a week. It is a good idea to work the treatment into your schedule so you don't skip sessions too often (the more you miss, the longer the treatment will take: see next point).

Be very, very patient
As with all alternative medicine, acupuncture works slowly. It essentially aims at building up your resistance, so how soon you get cured depends on your age, your general physical and mental health "" even, say, a digestion problem can slow the progress. My case has taken a little over two years. But don't be disheartened; over the months you'll notice encouraging incremental changes "" milder attacks, being able to tackle a flight of stairs without gasping and so on.

Be prepared for setbacks
Just as you think you are miles better, a season change or exposure to dog hair or a new city can set off a severe attack that might make you believe the whole exercise is pointless. Not so. Hang in there.

Is it safe and hygienic?
Yes, most doctors use a fresh set of needles for each session. The needles are imported from China.

How much does it cost?
Because the import duty on needles is a steep 40 per cent, the treatment is not all that cheap. Each session at Dr Kapur's cost a minimum of Rs 300, so a month's treatment can be as much as Rs 10,000, if not more. But against a lifetime of breathlessness and medication, that's a reasonable price to pay. Your insurance company will not cover the bills, however.

And finally...
Where exactly do the needles go? Umm...nowhere too ignominious.