I've been reading throught this thread, and wanted to just add that although I don't get the itching sensation, much, I DO periodically get such a stab of pain in one spot that it makes me winch. Distracting, to say the least. After the first couple of times I've associated it with the exercise where you bring in energy through the lower dantien (is that spelled right?) and then begin to move it down the legs, back up and up the back etc. I have a problem with my lower back and now my left leg since an arthroscopy 2 yrs ago. (the doctors tell me it's a co-incidence)
Anyway, I think of the sharp stab is a releasing of something blocking that area. The energy gets there and WHAM - it gets hit head on.
Although it can almost take my breath away, and definitely brings me out of meditation, I have begun to just talk to it (silently) and say that it's okay; I'm here for you. That may sound a bit strange, reading it like that. But it's a reassurance that I have noticed the pain, I understand that it hurts, or itches perhaps, and then I go back to the visualization/meditation. Works for me.
I am encouraged by reading this thread. Thanks for the input - I am going to try and ride out the physical discomfort, I guess you would say "go with it," next time it happens rather than just acknowleging it. See if it will swell and then dissipate completly, like in Shawn's telling of Jim's story.
I'll let you all know what happens.
*A*