Remembering Myself as an Acupuncturist — From Pain to Understanding My Own Body August 1, 2026 (Friday) Reiwa 8

## Introduction — A chance to look at my own body again

Today became an unexpected opportunity to face my own body once again.

It has been about one month since I suffered a proximal humerus fracture on my left side and underwent surgery. My arm still has limitations in movement, and I have felt pain shifting between the front and back of my shoulder.

However, I suddenly realized something.

I used to be an acupuncturist who studied and treated the human body.

Instead of only searching for answers from others, I still had the ability to observe my own body and think about what was happening.

With that thought, I returned to my roots and reviewed my condition through pulse examination and an awareness of meridians.

## Looking at my body through pulse and meridians

Taking my own pulse is not easy, and I cannot say that I performed a complete diagnosis.

However, by quietly observing my body, I gradually became aware of where discomfort existed.

I considered the relationship with the Kidney meridian and also noticed some sensations related to the Liver and Gallbladder systems.

But this time, rather than focusing deeply on root treatment, I wanted to first understand one thing:

“Where exactly is my pain coming from?”

When I focused on the pain behind my shoulder, I noticed that it corresponded with the pathway of the Triple Energizer (San Jiao) meridian.

At the same time, I reviewed the anatomy of the shoulder.

## Understanding pain through anatomy

Many muscles work together to create shoulder movement.

The deltoid muscle forms the rounded shape of the shoulder. Its different parts help move the arm:

- The anterior fibers move the arm forward.
- The middle fibers lift the arm sideways.
- The posterior fibers move the arm backward.

The teres major muscle, which runs from the lower part of the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone, helps pull the arm backward and bring it closer to the body.

In addition, muscles such as the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and pectoralis major do not attach directly to the upper arm bone in the same way, but they support arm movement by controlling the movement of the shoulder blade.

I realized again that recovery of the shoulder is not only about the arm itself. The movement of the shoulder blade and the surrounding muscles is also extremely important.

## Changes after acupuncture stimulation

Around the same time, a sample product from Seirin arrived. Apparently, I had answered a questionnaire, although I do not remember doing so.

It contained several short, rounded-tip needles designed to be easier to use.

I used one of them and applied stimulation to the back of my shoulder, observing how my body responded.

Interestingly, not only the pain in the back of my shoulder improved, but the discomfort in the front of my shoulder also became lighter.

The heaviness that had extended down toward my elbow earlier in the day also seemed to decrease.

Later, after removing the needle from the back area before going to sleep, I noticed some heaviness again in the front of my shoulder, so I applied a Pyonex press needle.

Pyonex is convenient, but because I live in a shared residential environment, I need to be especially careful not to forget to remove it before taking a bath.

A needle left behind could create a problem if it fell off and someone stepped on it.

For this reason, I usually choose the deeper type and make a conscious effort to remove it safely.

Using these tools responsibly and safely is very important.

## My rehabilitation from tomorrow onward

This experience reminded me of something important.

I am not only a patient. I am also someone who has knowledge and experience in understanding the human body.

Of course, I cannot decide everything by myself. Professional guidance remains essential.

However, I want to continue observing my own condition while following the rehabilitation exercises I have been taught.

I will continue exercises such as:

- stick exercises
- shoulder movement exercises
- exercises to improve shoulder blade mobility

while always respecting my body’s limits.

I hope that one day I will meet the right rehabilitation specialist and be able to say:

“This is what I have been doing, and this is how my body has responded.”

I want to continue learning so that I can communicate clearly about my own condition.

This fracture has been a major event in my life.

However, through this experience, I was able to rediscover the part of myself that observes, understands, and listens to the body.

That discovery itself has become something meaningful.

#AcupuncturistPerspective  
#ListeningToMyBody  
#ShoulderRehabilitation  
#ProximalHumerusFracture  
#MeridiansAndAnatomy  
#UnderstandingTheBody  
#JourneyToRecovery