Oriental medicine that
looks at the body in terms
of patterns of harmony and
disharmony," says Libby
Slocum, nationally board
certified acupuncturist at
the Acupuncture Center
of Southwest Michigan in
Healing Arts, says, "Acupuncture is a
way to influence the subtle communica-
tions system that organizes the complex
functions of the human being."
Choices in Otsego, credits acupuncture
as being "an established therapeutic
option for treatment of various medical
problems and to improve healing."
hair-fine filiform needles into the skin
to stimulate what Slocum calls "rivers
of energy that flow through the body's
connective tissue." This energy is in
the form of electrons, which always
electrons are blocked, disease, medical
problems, or pain can appear.
and internally" to describe the body's
energy pathways. "Outside influ-
ences and internal factors can block
the channels," he says. "Acupuncture
unblocks obstructions to improve
physical health, psychological health,
and immunity and to decrease pain."
pathways. He defines energy as "an
organizing principle that can get
blocked or confused or interrupted.
Acupuncture," he says, "is a skillful
method to restore the body's communi-
cation system."
could easily be 1,000 -- 365 in the
main meridians, a couple hundred
in each ear, plus other points off the
meridians," Slocum explains.
session depends on the individual and
the problems presented. "We look at the
entire person, at everything, to assess
patterns of disharmony," Slocum states.
As an example, an ulcer, according to
Chinese medicine, could be the result
of one of several different patterns of
energy disruptions, each requiring a
different treatment. It is for this reason
that acupuncture treats each person as
an individual.
when sharpened stones were used.
The practice spread throughout Asia,
and Portuguese missionaries brought
the skill to the West in the 1500s.
Acupuncture became widely known in
the U.S. in the 1970s.
to the Oriental modality. "I had
patients who were seeing acupunctur-
ists, and I saw them derive significant
benefit from it, so I became interested
and took training." He cites surgical
procedures as a benefit of Western
medicine but adds, "Acupuncture will
hasten healing and help people become
more functional faster."
a person standing on the ground with
hands reaching toward the heavens.
from the feet through the chest to the
fingertips. The Heaven energy, or yang
qi, flows from the fingertips through
the head to the feet. The dynamics of
this energy flow are organized, and
this, in turn, organizes the physi-
ological functions of the body. Disease
results when these energetic dynamics
are disrupted by overwork, poor diet,
emotional imbalance, and other factors.
In conjunction with lifestyle changes,
acupuncture can help to reintegrate the
flow of qi throughout the body."
represents two energies flowing into
one another. "Yin is the feminine Earth
energy of receptivity, resting, cold,
and dark; yang is masculine, outgoing,
bright, daylight. When a person is out
of balance, acupuncture reestablishes
that balance, which leads to perfect,
smooth, free flow of energy in the
body's systems."
more at the core of the body, one in
front and the other in back, are vessels
of yin conception and yang governance.
energy flow being in balance also
extends to interactions with family
and friends. "Acupuncture unblocks
and replenishes energy so that people
say they feel more like themselves or
they feel like their good old self. Then
it becomes easier for them to do other
health-promoting behaviors," Slocum
states.
participate in family activities due to
severe allergies. Through acupunc-
ture and over time, Slocum was able
to stimulate the body's natural energy
flow and clear the allergies. The
woman eventually took a part-time job
and, today, has demanding full-time
employment and enjoys full engage-
ment with her family.
"Acupuncture is a very holistic way
to treat a medical condition without
involving medications."
of maladies: arthritis, infertility,
headaches, irritable bowel syndrome,
tiredness, aches and pains, and other
Biofeedback Therapists
Cancer Alternatives
Centers
Chelation Therapy
Colonic Services
Complementary Health
Holistic Practitioners
Hypnotherapy
Massage Therapy
Meditation
Naturopathic Medicine
Psychic Reading
Reflexology
Rolfing
Yoga