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Going Under the Needle Acupuncture Treatments Turn Some Skeptics into Believers

Posted on: Monday, 3 October 2005, 21:00 CDT

By LAURIE SMITH ANDERSON

With his left knee throbbing, 28-year-old Ryan Labbe had trouble getting onto the treatment table in Shou Hua Xia's office.

Some 90 minutes later, he jumped off, squatted easily and went back to work. The pain was gone. Two weeks and two treatments later, he was still pain-free and released from treatment. The numbness in the fingers of his right hand, stemming from a pinched nerve in his neck, was also gone and he was sleeping better.

"I can't believe it," Labbe said. "I came in a skeptic but I'm leaving a believer."

Xia is one of a handful of acupuncture practitioners in town and his clinic, the Natural Therapies Center, specializes in traditional Chinese medicine including herbal supplements, massage, nutrition and exercise programs.

Louisiana law states that medical doctors and osteopaths with six months of training in traditional Chinese acupuncture may practice as acupuncturists.

Acupuncture assistants must have at least 36 months of training and work under the direction and supervision of a physician or acupuncturist.

Xia works under Dr. Karen Dantin's supervision. She has another acupuncture assistant, Kenneth Chow, who works in her office. In addition, two other physicians' offices are listed in the local Yellow Pages under acupuncturists.

"I like to call it complementary medicine," said Xia, who is nationally certified in acupuncture medicine and has a Ph.D. in Oriental medicine. "Both Western and Eastern medicines have strengths and weaknesses and they both have limitations; however, they can also complement each other. It's always good to have choices."

Such is the case with 35-year-old Treba Parolli-Barnes, a breast cancer patient who underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy and is now receiving acupuncture treatments to bolster her immune system.

"Actually, I've been coming here for nine years for sports injuries and other things, but I always said that if I got cancer, this is the first place I'd come," she said as she lay face down on the table and Xia positioned 10 needles into her back. She flinched as he twirled a couple of needles in sensitive areas.

Acupuncture, a component of traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,500 years, is a method of promoting natural healing by inserting needles into precise acupuncture points. Energy, or qi (pronounced "chi"), flows along 14 channels, called meridians, throughout the body, Xia said. The meridians can become blocked, resulting in pain and disease. Acupuncture is used to re-establish the energy flow.

Needling the acupuncture points has also been shown to release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, to restore biochemical balance and promote physical and emotional well-being.

During a treatment session, needles may be inserted into various acupuncture points along the body - the scalp, the back, the ears are common. All of the needles are sterile and disposable, so there is no risk of infection. They are generally left in place for 30 to 60 minutes and are twirled to stimulate the point every five minutes or so.

Both Labbe and Parolli-Barnes said they felt a little discomfort when the needles were inserted and sometimes when they were twirled, but not afterward.

"It's a little bit of pain for a few minutes for long-term relief. It's definitely worth it," Labbe said. "My mother-in-law told me to come. I said there was no way in hell I was going to let somebody stick needles in me. But, then my knee was hurting so bad I agreed to try it. I had to eat crow because she was right, but that's better than getting cut on and missing six to eight weeks of work."

Some patients are so scared of needles that they will only agree to acupressure, which involves pressing on designated points, Xia said. Acupressure is also employed as a self-treatment method. Patients have herbal seeds taped to designated points on their ears and are instructed to press on them several times a day for a week.

Acupuncture is employed as treatment for a variety of illnesses and conditions including recovery from chemotherapy or bolstering the immune system to fight other diseases, pain management (headaches, neck and back pain, and joint pain), sinus problems, stroke, hypertension, infertility, anxiety, depression and insomnia. It is also used to help patients stop smoking, drinking and using drugs, and lose weight.

Some patients require only one or two sessions. Others, typically those seeking treatment for chronic, long-term conditions, may require more. Some patients return monthly for "tune ups" in the interest of maintaining health and preventing disease.

It is important to note that acupuncture doesn't work for every patient, Xia said.

Also, acupuncture is not always covered by insurance policies, so patients may have to pay out of their own pockets. A typical first session costs about $85, with follow-up sessions that last 60 to 90 minutes and include massage costing $70.

The first session involves a physical exam where Xia monitors the patient's pulse and carefully checks his or her eyes, tongue and ears. From that exam, he gives patients his version of a personal medical history including major illnesses that affected their parents as well as any problems they are currently suffering from or may be at risk for in the future. A treatment regimen is prescribed and additional recommendations are made concerning diet, exercise, stress reduction and special concerns.

Xia has had referrals from physicians and has made referrals to physicians. He has also treated several physicians as patients. He's also seen a number of athletes and coaches and has even treated himself for vertigo and fatigue.

In addition to acupuncture, Xia uses several other techniques of traditional Chinese medicine including herbal supplements. He also teaches two Tai Chi classes on Saturday mornings at St. James Place.

ON THE INTERNET:

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine's Web site at http://www.nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/

Source: Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.

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