Senior Center Speaker Points Out Benefits Of Acupuncture

By Nancy K. Crevier

Joe Downer of Rader Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center in Stratford was at the Newtown Senior Center, Thursday, August 18, to introduce members to the practice of acupuncture, an ancient therapy that uses ultrathin needles inserted into one of 356 recognized points in the body, to relieve both mental and physical pain. According to literature he provided, in Chinese medicine’s terms, “acupuncturists treat an imbalance of chi,” which is also known as the life force. A balanced distribution of chi in the body results in a harmonious interaction between all of the body’s systems.

“Wherever there is pain in the body, there is blockage,” explained Mr Downer, a 2010 graduate of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York. “Needles inserted into the painful area unblock the block to release the flow of blood to the area,” he said. That begins the healing process.

While some needles can be as long as 12 inches, the majority of the sterile needles used in acupuncture are less than four inches in length, and no thicker than a hair. Rarely is the needle inserted more than ¼ to ½-inch into the body, except in the case of reaching a point in a larger muscle. For the most part, acupuncture is painless.

It is not always necessary to use needles in the Asian-based medical practice, he said. “We can use acupressure on the points, we use massage, and we sometimes use a technique that was popular in the 1800s, called cupping,” said Mr Downer. Cupping, he explained uses a heated jar placed on the sore muscles to create suction. “That lifts the muscle off of the bone and allows better blood flow around the injured area,” he said. It also results in what he described as “a big hickey” on the body. But that, he assured the tittering group, fades away quickly. Using a combination of therapies can often provide quicker results.

Patients most commonly seek out acupuncture to relieve pain, either chronic or sudden onset, said Mr Downer. Treatment for an acute condition generally requires three to six sessions, each at a cost of between $40 and $80, while chronic pain can require six to 20 treatments for good results. “In profound pain cases,” said Mr Downer, “acupuncture is more of a maintenance program. Success can be hard to predict in that case.”

Pain is not the only condition treated with acupuncture. Needles can be applied to points in the body that cause the release of “feel good” hormones called endorphins, to help cease smoking, and in combination with dietary modifications, herbs, and supplements, acupuncture can also treat weight issues. Mental issues that affect the physical body can also find relief through acupuncture treatment, said Mr Downer, and even memory problems can be addressed with tapping of points on the head near the crown.

Hundreds of other conditions are also treated frequently by acupuncturists, including bedwetting, asthma, arthritis, allergies, chronic fatigue, infertility, and sports injuries.

A typical first visit to an acupuncturist consists of a lot of give and take, said Mr Downer. “Be up front about what’s going on with you,” he urged the group. “We need to know your medical history, and any medications, herbs, or supplements you take. Communication is important,” he said.

The first visit will also include many questions, including those about pain levels, body fluids, sleep and dreams, and an examination of the tongue. “The tongue gives us a lot of information. We look at the pulse, as well, and with pain there may be muscle testing and palpitation,” Mr Downer said. All of these help the acupuncturist come to the proper diagnosis, and define where the energy blockages in the body may be. “It’s sort of like looking at a Rubik’s Cube to come to a conclusion,” he said.

Acupuncture, said Mr Downer, is for people of all ages, and many of his own patients are between 65 and 80. Now recognized as an accepted health care alternative, most Connecticut health insurance policies do cover the cost of acupuncture he said. Medicare and Medicaid, however, will not cover the cost of acupuncture by a certified acupuncturist. A medical doctor with acupuncture training can perform the treatment, and Medicare and Medicaid will then cover that charge, he told the audience.

Successful treatment with acupuncture happens over time, he stressed, but is an alternative that benefits many in the long run.