Getting to the point - literally |
Andre Vriesman |
|
CORVALLIS, Ore. (U-WIRE) - David Kailin, a licensed acupuncturist in Oregon State University's Health Services, believes the power to heal often lies in a very thin needle. Used for thousands of years in China, acupuncture is becoming an accepted method of treatment for ailments ranging from migraine headaches to back pain and the common cold, Kailin said. Kailin has studied Chinese medicine for 32 years and has practiced acupuncture since 1978. He has practiced in Corvallis, Ore., for the past six years and at OSU Student Health Services for three years. "Acupuncture is gradually being integrated into our culture. It doesn't happen overnight," Kailin said. "It is one tool among many tools." Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, sterile steel needles under the skin, which help promote the flow of energy throughout the body. According to Kailin, acupuncture draws on the body's ability to heal itself. "One seeks to balance the body, to make harmony so one might heal themself," Kailin said. He said acupuncture has not always been accepted in Western medicine, but it has been growing in popularity since the 1970s. According to Kailin, 38 states allow nonmedical doctors to practice acupuncture with a license. In the past, fewer people shared Kailin's views on healing. "I would find people who were absolutely hostile toward me because I practiced Chinese medicine," Kailin said. But scientific research has shown acupuncture to have significant medical effects. The National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization have recognized acupuncture as an effective method of treatment for many disorders, including chronic pain, headache, arthritis and asthma. "Acupuncture can indeed be used to stimulate the immune system," Kailin said. He practices many forms of acupuncture, including electro-acupuncture-the use of electrical current to stimulate healing-and acupressure. "You feel a very light needle prick, and then a very tired muscle feeling," Kailin said. "That's what you're going for." He also practices the techniques of "coining" (gua-sha) and "cupping." Coining is a dermal friction technique used to move blood. Cupping, the application of suction cups to acupuncture loci, serves a similar purpose. Both are used to deliver stagnant blood in muscle meridians, stimulating energy. Kailin also recommends dietary therapy and, occasionally, herbal medicines to his patients. "My practice at student health is limited to students," Kailin said. "I see some very dedicated athletes and ordinary students with very ordinary problems.". | |