Going Under the Needle

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat Shirley Frank-Hall practices the ancient art of acupuncture at the Campus Health Center. Acupuncture can help relieve stress, headaches, neck pain, and even the common cold.

Some may doubt its benefits, but Shirley Frank-Hall is trying to change people's perceptions.

Frank-Hall is a doctor of acupuncture and licensed nurse practitioner at the Campus Health Center. In February, she began offering Oriental medicine as a complement or alternative to Western therapies.

"The response has been overwhelming," she said.

Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese culture and dates to 1700 B.C. It was first introduced to Europe by French Jesuits in the 17th century.

Today, the World Health Organization recognizes more than 200 diseases and conditions that can be treated through acupuncture.

Some of the conditions Frank-Hall treats include stress and anxiety, back and neck pain, headaches, weight loss, the common cold, allergies and how to quit smoking.

Doctors at Campus Health acknowledge acupuncture can be an effective treatment and are recommending it to their patients.

"There are plenty of case studies that show people do get relief," said Dr. Stephen Paul, a sports medicine specialist.

However, Paul advised people to check the credentials of any alternative medicine provider to make sure the person has adequate training and a good reputation. He noted that Frank-Hall has both.

"A big part of Oriental medicine is establishing a connection with people," Frank-Hall said.

She doesn't zero in on a particular symptom or any one thing that is wrong. Instead, she asks, "What brings you here?" and "How can I help you?"

Getting the patient's perspective is essential to treatment because Oriental medicine is based on the belief that the body is a system of energy, called Qi (pronounced chee), and the flow of that energy is what determines health, Frank-Hall said. Illness or pain is seen as a blockage of the Qi.

Acupuncture is one method of redirecting those energies into a more balanced flow, she said.

As the patients describe their problems and lifestyle, Frank-Hall begins taking several pulses on each wrist to pinpoint stress levels. She does not stop at taking a heart rate, but also measures lung, liver and kidney pulses by gently pressing along the wrists.

Since Oriental medicine treats the whole body, every component must be measured and included, she said.

The acupuncturist works with a system of meridians, which channel the Qi. As the needles are inserted at the meridian points, the flow of energy is altered, Frank-Hall said.

Energy can be either tonified, meaning increased, or it can be sedated, or decreased, depending on the needs of the patient. The position and depth of the needles determines the impact on the Qi, she said.

Some patients are singing the praises of Frank-Hall's treatments.

Sheila Randolph-Bacon, a doctoral candidate in language, reading and culture, began acupuncture therapy in February, after eight months of pain and unsuccessful treatment for injuries she suffered in a car accident.

Randolph-Bacon had two ruptured discs in her neck, her right arm was numb and she had blinding headaches daily.

"After the first treatment, after the second needle went in, the headache went away and an hour later my right arm had feeling," Randolph-Bacon said. "I can't tell you what a difference this has made. The best case using Western medicine was one to two years of recovery. If that was true, I would have left the graduate program."

She said the thought of typing her entire dissertation with only her left hand was unbearable.

One of the keys to success in acupuncture is being able to work within a different belief system, Frank-Hall said. She said that system views ideal health as "an exuberant well-being demonstrated through the balanced integration of all aspects of life."

For some of her patients, accepting an Eastern way of thinking is difficult.

"I was skeptical of alternative medicine," said Beth Schneider, a music graduate student. "But I saw a brochure and thought I'd give it a try."

Schneider is a violinist and was experiencing pain in her right arm. She said sports medicine doctors and physical therapists haven't been able to treat the pain.

"Acupuncture was so different than anything else. I was hoping for magic," she said.

After three treatments, Schneider is beginning to feel better, but she is also continuing with physical therapy and soft-tissue massage.

Frank-Hall said she became interested in Oriental medicine after studying martial arts, which incorporates an introduction to the same belief system underlying the medicine.

She completed her doctor of acupuncture degree in Hawaii and has been practicing Oriental medicine for 10 years in private practice.

If you decide to give acupuncture a try, here are answers to commonly asked questions and some day-of-treatment tips.

How many treatments are usually needed?

It varies by individual and the condition being treated, from one to three treatments for a mild condition to more than 10 for serious problems.

Can acupuncture be used along with other treatments?

Yes. It will not interfere with any medications or other treatments.

Do insurance companies cover acupuncture?

Some accident claims and private insurance companies may cover the cost. It is best to check with the insurance company before treatment.

How much does acupuncture cost?

At the Campus Health Center, each session is $10. In private practice, each visit can be between $35-125.

Day of treatment:

• Do not bathe just before treatment - it disperses the body's energy

• Do not arrived rushed or leave hurried. Relaxation helps the healing

• Try to avoid strong emotional experiences or heavy meals before treatment. Either of these can "startle" the Qi, causing the energy to flow backwards.

Complied from literature available at Campus Health