I find myself caught in the middle of a showdown between East and West. Eastern medicine versus Western Medicine. Acupuncture against the upstart microsurgery. Both are claiming that they can cure me of all the problems caused by a herniated disc. I don't want to be in this battle. I didn't ask for it. Or did I?

I paid my first visit ever to an acupuncturist yesterday – her name is Beth. This was the first time I had ever visited one, and maybe even the first time I had ever come face to face with one. Turns out, they’re not necessarily sadochists who get pleasure out of inflicting pain on people. [...]