I have been a migraine sufferer for over 60 years. They were first recognized by my mother when I was about three years old as my father also suffered from them. She always told me how amazed and saddened she was that one so young could have such a grown-up affliction. She always referred to this disabling condition as an ‘affliction' as she saw what they did to my father and then to her youngest child.
I am a teacher by profession, just recently retired from the University of Toronto where I taught courses to Teachers about special needs children. Considering my choice of career, my personality type and the heredity factor, my migraines certainly had an ideal breeding ground. They were a way of life for me and I never was without them. Not only were coping with migraines part of my daily living routine, but I also suffered from two other kinds of headaches. So my life was a constant battle coping and medicating a migraine or a headache. Some months I had one or the other every day.
I have tried absolutely every medication on the market. I have also tried self-hypnotism, bio-feedback, special diets, Yoga and relaxation therapy and message. I've had C-scans, EEG's and MRI's. I've seen neurologists, psychologist, migraine specialists and even regression therapists. Nothing helped. Nothing worked and nothing mattered except trying to get through one more migraine.
After a really bad month going in and out of at least four migraines, it was suggested that I try message therapy to see if this would relax and help me through these bad times. Andy Baird's clinic was recommended. So I started another round of therapy. During one of my sessions, I had to ask the therapist to stop because my migraine was becoming somewhat aggressive. It was then that she suggested I speak with Andy about starting acupuncture with him.
I first met Andy after that session and with a serious migraine. His approach of sympathetic understanding, genuine concern and great consideration for my condition were the reasons I agreed to begin treatment with him as I was somewhat skeptical of the whole idea of acupuncture admitting I really did not know too much about it.
So another form of treatment began. I went three times a week, I believe for
the first three weeks and got one massive migraine afterwards. After that particular migraine, I started counting the days then the weeks of being migraine free. Never in my entire life had I gone without a migraine for so long. Three months, then six months and then a whole year!
At this writing, I have been migraine free for nearly eighteen months! I have a session every three weeks now and I'd move heaven and earth not to miss my appointment with Andy. Another added bonus is that I am averaging only three to four other headaches a month which are tolerable and manageable. Andy is working on these and I'm sure the results will be positive.
As for Andy Baird, no amount of praise could ever come close to what he deserves. Personally, he is a sympathetic listener who demonstrates genuinely a true interest in his clients. His empathy, his sincere concern, his forthrightness and integrity are so evident and consistent as is his sense of humour. Professionally, Andy's knowledge of his art is evident in his treatment strategies. He is truly talented and resourceful. He does his job exceptionally well and knows how to deal with any problem. Absolute trust comes easily as well as a serenity and calmness after his sessions that only a consummate professional could bring about.
My faith, not only in the treatment, but also in the man is evidenced by the success of freedom from migraines I have been privileged to enjoy. I could never imagine a life without migraines. I could never imagine the freedom not only from the horrific pain and the accompanying disabling symptoms, but freedom from the great amounts of medication my body has been subjected to over these many years. Andy has handed me a new way of living and I will always hold him firmly in the highest esteem and be eternally grateful not only that I met him but that I have experienced his life altering treatment of acupuncture.
Lynda Craig
July, 2007
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