The holistic truth: Older patients turn to ancient art of acupuncture to ease pain
By Kristin Erekson

Reprinted from bostonherald.com
 

Wednesday, March 1, 2006


Carroll Clark was sick of being sick.

The 65-year-old North Shore retired teacher was diagnosed 20 years ago with rheumatoid arthritis - a painful inflammation of the joints. But the disease also was demolishing her immune system, causing the grandmother of 10 to suffer from sinus infections that would span more than five weeks.

After stomaching a laundry list of antibiotics and reaching the “end of her rope,” Clark turned to a more holistic hope: acupuncture.

“I felt a little bit better,” she said of her first treatment with acupuncturist April Shewan last March. “It was a slow, steady improvement, but (Shewan) activated my immune system. I was surprised.”

Believe it or not, Clark hasn’t been sick since and continues to stick with the pins every month.

“I wonder why I didn’t try it earlier,” she added. “I don’t know how to describe it, but all I know is that it works.”

Acupuncture has been huge in assisting the ailing lately - particularly the elderly - with nearly 2.1 million adults saying they tried it, according to a 2002 National Health Interview Survey.

Shewan, who has been prudently piercing patients for four years at Coastal Acupuncture in Beverly, said the appeal of the 3,000-year-old Chinese tradition for those in their golden years is the affordability.

“The main factor that impedes them (to come to acupuncture) is finances,” said Shewan, who charges Clark $60 for each acupuncture session, compared to the $12,000 Clark’s insurance company shells out each year for her arthritis medication, Embreal.

Shewan said about 20 percent of her clientele is elderly; many seek her help because they are in the pits over pills.

“A lot of them are taking medicines they don’t want to take,” she said. “Acupuncture is just a different medicine. It gives them the quality of life that they wouldn’t have had before.”

The ancient art focuses on stimulating 12 major pathways on the body to diminish pain and disease. Chinese theory found that a vital energy called Qi - pronounced “chee” - flows through these pathways in the body.

“When the flow is disrupted, disharmony results, causing pain or illness,” said Shewan, 35, of Rowley. “When the flow is restored, health is regained.”

The strategic placement of the small, hair-thin needles on the body helps regain balance in energy flow.

But the main highlight of the holistic process is the bond that blossoms between the acupuncturist and the patient.

“As people get older, medical situations get more complicated, and doctors don’t have time to sit and talk with them,” said Shewan. “I think my patients really like (acupuncture) because I spend at least an hour with them for each treatment.”

Shewan’s mother, Arlene Miele, 65, of Nashua, N.H., felt brushed off by several specialists, who would fill her with pills for her arthritic hip. Miele was so sick over the soreness, she was unable to sleep.

“I went for a bone scan, went to physical therapy and even saw an orthopedic man,” she said. “I took some medication, which I took myself off of.”

Shewan persuaded her mother to try three acupuncture treatments, and like a miracle, Miele’s pain disappeared for six to eight months.

Needless to say, Miele’s med stash headed straight to the trash.

“We are all overmedicated these days,” said Miele. “If you are in pain and you want to find an easy way to lose it, you would be foolish not to try (acupuncture). It’s the painless way to lose your pain.”