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Acupuncture gives relief from MS
By Kimberly N.
Alleyne • • August 3, 2008
Some autoimmune diseases can
wreak havoc on joints and muscles and leave
patients in unrelenting pain. Some
individuals afflicted with multiple
sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis or
chronic pain have found respite in a
tried-and-true practice -acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine
approach that employs needles placed at
various points on the body to restore
balance to the forces of yin and yang.
Don Plunkett, 65, was diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis 24 years ago, and says
acupuncture helped him a great deal.
"It doesn't cure it, but I got a lot of
relief with it and it helped to steady my
movements," Plunkett said.
That's been a huge help in his continued
success in the air rifle competition at the
National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Plunkett
said.
Detlef Wolfe, who owns the Acupuncture
and Healing Center in LaGrange, is not
surprised Plunkett found relief for his pain
through acupuncture.
"I have treated several clients with
lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid
arthritis, and acupuncture has either
greatly helped their symptoms; I don't want
to say it cures them, but many of them
become 95 percent pain free or symptom
free," Wolfe said.
Many have touted acupuncture as a
complementary healing modality to assist in
the treatment of autoimmune diseases and
chronic pain. It is a major form of
complementary and alternative medicine - a
body of practices, products and strategies
that are not part of conventional medicine.
Typically, complementary medicine such as
acupuncture, massage or tai chi is used with
conventional medicine to treat diseases,
while alternative forms of medicine such as
naturopathic and homeopathic approaches are
used instead of conventional medicine.
Research has found that when used in
conjunction with medication, acupuncture can
produce great results. Wolfe agrees.
"It's a fantastic tool. When we use a
natural approach such as acupuncture along
with pain medication, we help the body to
run more smoothly and get physically well,"
Wolfe said.
Wolfe attributes the success of
acupuncture to its approach.
"The Western approach to medicine
suppresses the immune system, which makes it
weaker. Chinese medicine does the opposite
and powers and strengthens the body so it
can heal itself," Wolfe said.
According to Wolfe, clients can expect to
see improvement in six or seven sessions,
depending on the severity of pain.
He warns those seeking out acupuncture
services to be sure they find a licensed
professional. Wolfe, who is a nationally and
state board certified acupuncturist, said to
be sure the professional has significant
education and experience.
"Every two years, I have to get
recertified by the state and by the national
board every four years. It's important to
have the schooling, too," Wolfe said.
Freelance writer Kimberly N.
Alleyne c
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