I've been practicing apitherapy for 15 years now. As a matter of fact, apitherapy is what got me started with bees. My acupuncturist suggested apitherapy from another acupuncturist that worked in the building. My next appointment the acupuncturist/apitherapist met with me and put one bee on my cranky wrist. She pre-warned me of swelling and itching. My hand and arm swelled up and itched like the dickens for 3 days. Then I had an entire week of no pain in my wrist.
I researched deeper on the process of apitherapy and why it works. It made sense to me that you get a double dose of pain free medicine with bee stings. First, the actual venom is a natural and powerful anti-inflammatory agent. One sting is like taking 50 IB Profen right now! Plus, when the brain perceives an injury to the body, like a sting, it tells the adrenal glands (right above the kidneys) to kick in with cortisone which is our body's natural stress and pain reliever.
I have arthritis through out my body, so I appreciate a sting or two a week when working my bees.
Zweefer, I am well practiced at picking bees up by the back of the wings and placing the stinger where I want pain relief, however, using a pair of tweezers really helps too. Just place the bees bottom onto the area needing a sting, wait for a second and let your own skin grab the bees stinger.
