For those of us who might have considered acupuncture but found we weren’t sure enough about how it works, or how its practitioners are trained, or what a session might actually feel like, St. Croix Valley Magazine has some points to ponder. The answers from local practioners might surprise you.
What is the science behind acupuncture?
“Acupuncture deals with the energy of the body,” says Barb Wasson of River Point Family Acupuncture in Hudson. “Dysfunction and disease happen when energy is either in excess or if it is deficient.” Heather Johnson of Holistic Healing Acupuncture, also in Hudson, concurs, saying that acupuncture works by getting energy flowing freely again and eliminating stagnation. That is primarily the Eastern perspective, explains Healing Within Acupuncture and Nutrition’s Aimee Van Ostrand. From a Western perspective, she adds, studies have shown acupuncture treatments release endorphins and allow the body to rest and repair. Van Ostrand’s clinic is in Stillwater, as is Jesse Katzman’s, Stillwater Acupuncture & Nutrition. Katzman approaches the question from a slightly different perspective. “Basically, we’re putting foreign objects [needles] in the body,” he says. The body responds with defense, repair and rejuvenation when an acupuncturist places those needles strategically.
What training do you get?
All four practitioners have bachelor’s degrees, and several have master’s degrees and/or advanced training here and in China. Total classroom, observation and supervised clinical internship hours are on the order of 3,000. Each is a licensed acupuncturist.
What health issues do acupuncturists treat?
Katzman’s answer is the most inclusive: “Anything non-emergency.” Van Ostrand elaborates, mentioning headaches, back and joint pain, and depression, anxiety and grief. She and her clinic are involved in a community acupuncture program to aid veterans with PTSD. Wasson specifically mentions fertility and women’s health, including pre- and post-natal care, and she treats babies. “The more common issues I see are anxiety, depression, insomnia, digestion and neck/shoulder/back pain,” Johnson says.
What are some of lesser-known treatments with acupuncture?
Van Ostrand treats the side effects of chemotherapy and sees potential in sports injury recovery and facial rejuvenation. Wasson has had success treating incontinence. “In vitro fertilization success rates can go up as much as 50 percent with acupuncture,” Katzman says.
Are there side effects?
“The biggest side effect of acupuncture,” Wasson says, “is a feeling of calm, relaxation and a deep sense of wellbeing.” Johnson says rare light-headedness is easily managed with water and snacks.
What about people who hate needles? The overwhelming answer: “We start out slowly.” Johnson adds that more often than not, a needle-fearing patient’s response to treatment is, “Oh, that wasn’t bad.” Katzman says that whereas a full treatment might involve insertion and manipulation (twisting and flicking) of up to 20 needles that remain in place for up to an hour, treatments can start with many fewer needles for a much shorter period of time.
