News of Interest

Which Alternative Remedies Really Work? When Dr. Andrew Weil, the alternative medicine guru, hurt his knee, he skipped pain relievers and went straight to acupuncture, reports CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen in her online column Empowered Patient. "It worked", said Dr. Weil. "My knee felt much better."

See complete story

To Your Health

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Resolve Herpes-Related Pain

Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which can languish in the body for years before becoming active. The main symptom of herpes zoster is a painful skin rash, which can last for weeks (or months) before resolving. A study published in Medical Acupuncture suggests that a protocol employing acupuncture and a variety of other forms of traditional Chinese medicine is effective in reducing the pain associated with herpes infection, even in patients who have had the disease for a considerable length of time.

See complete story

ACUPUNCTURE: Safe and effective for pain and nausea treatment

June MONEY MAGAZINE
Health Report 2007

First used more than 2,000 years ago in China, acupuncture was introduced in the U.S. in the 1970s and has grown increasingly popular. It's based on the theory that a vital energy flows through the body along 12 pathways and that blockages of those pathways cause pain. NCCAM says that acupuncture relieves pain and helps minimize nausea after chemotherapy or anesthetic. It's also useful for treating addiction, headache, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma. Side effects are minimal. Seeking to treat infertility or cancer? Don't risk precious time by trying acupuncture as your first line of attack. "Anyone with cancer or a life-threatening disease should be under the care of an M.D.," says P. Shane Burras, a licensed Los Angeles acupuncturist and treasurer of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. "Acupuncture," he says, "is a supportive therapy."

It Worked for Them
Two years ago Lauren Campana, sick with mono, could barely swallow. The doctor said she simply had to wait out the illness. Out of desperation, her mother Lori took her to an acupuncturist. To the family's astonishment, Lauren quickly began recovering. Lori then decided to try acupuncture for the digestive problems she had suffered from for 25 years. "Honestly, the next day I felt better," says Lori. She continues monthly treatments and today can eat almost anything without upsetting her stomach. Lori also credits acupuncture for relieving her younger daughter Nicole's allergies. She no longer takes medication, which she had done for 10 years. The therapy has worked so well for the family that Lori is willing to foot the bill, which their insurance doesn't cover. She pays $54 a session thanks to a family discount and estimates that she spent about $900 last year. "For me the price isn't a big factor because I am so happy with it," says Lori.

Rodowca brings Eastern science to Greenville area - Acupuncture One uses traditional Chinese practice

By Rachel Rausch
Appleton Post-Crescent West
July 7, 2006


GREENVILLE- As one who performs acupuncture therapy, James Rodowca needs a steady hand.

Rodowca, a licensed acupuncturist, opened Acupuncture One, LLC in 2003 after receiving his Master of Science in Oriental Medicine degree from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine and serving his internship with a Chinese doctor.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that uses needles to reduce pain caused by numerous health conditions. Acupuncture improves the flow of Qi (chee), or life-force, in the body. The Chinese believe Qi flows through the body in regular pathways, called meridians. Each meridian corresponds to a particular physiological system or organ. The meridians connect with the surface of the body at locations called acupuncture points. By stimulating the points with needles, sensory nerves are triggered and blockages in energy flow can be released.

"I think people have a misconception that it’s mystical or weird," Rodowca said. "It’s actually a very logical system of health, but it’s different than Western medicine."

Acupuncture reduces muscle spasms, decreases inflammation, activates blood circulation, stimulates immune function, and accelerates healing.

Rodowca said that since the needles are small and unlike hypodermic needles, the treatments are painless.

"It feels like a mosquito bite and there are some places where you don’t feel it at all," he said adding that for "needlephobic" patients an electrical shock can be used instead. "We try to provide a very relaxed and soothing environment."

In some cases, Chinese herbal supplements, Chinese massage and heat therapy can accompany a patient’s treatment.

Rodowca said patients, who range in age from infants to the elderly, can benefit from the therapy sessions, which usually last about an hour.

"It (acupuncture) provides substantial relief," Rodowca said. "Many times people can cut out their medications."

Shiocton resident Carol Struck, who has been visiting Acupuncture One for a year-and-a-half, is one of Rodowca’s clients who has been able to discontinue taking her medications.

Struck, who suffered from fibromyalgia for 15 years, describes acupuncture therapy as a "life blessing."

"I lived in pain for all those years and now I live without pain," said Struck, who admits she was skeptical of the practice at first and tried it as a last resort.

"I didn’t like the idea of the needles but it’s not like a needle like a shot," she said.

Struck said she began seeing results after a few sessions and now goes to Rodowca every three or four weeks.

"It stays with you. It doesn’t just leave when you walk out of the office," she said, adding that she’s recommended Rodowca to others. "He’s very knowledgeable and he’s a great listener and he’s fun. He’s got a great sense of humor."

Rodowca said acupuncture also is considered a preventive form of medicine, giving this analogy:
"A Western doctor is like the mechanic that repairs or replaces and an acupuncturist is like a gardener where everything is interrelated. We look at the body as a whole and we try to prevent imbalances. The goal is to get the body back into homeostasis."