Students introduced to acupuncture
by Nick Nance, reporter

    Brain bio-chemical disturbances may be helped by a simple technique derived from acupuncture, a licensed chemical dependency counselor told students recently.

    In a seminar sponsored by the NE mental health department, Teresa Sawyer introduced students to acu detox, a technique that works on addictions and mental illnesses.

    The U.S. National Institute of Health Consensus Panel on Acupuncture reviewed the scientific literature, Sawyer said, and concluded that acupuncture for addiction “may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative.”

    Dolores Sutter, associate professor and mental health department chair, discussed the varied uses of acupuncture treatments.

    “Acupuncture and acu detox can be used to treat many disorders including chemical dependency, relaptation and stress,” she said.

    Sutter described acu detox as a “whole body approach.”

    Acu detox was cited as not having to be used strictly by those suffering from chemical dependency.

    Acu detox is beneficial even when the patient is dishonest. Words and verbal relationships are not necessary components of this treatment, Sawyer said.

    The treatment also has the ability to reduce stress and craving so patients gradually participate more in their treatment process, Sawyer said.

    In an article, Dr. Michael O. Smith describes acupuncture as the stimulation of locations on the surface body with the intention of altering and improving function.

    Acupuncture points are physiologically distinct from the immediate environment: the precise location varies within a small area that corresponds to the acupuncture point as denoted on an acupuncture chart, Smith points out.

    Developed in the United States following initial discoveries in modern China, this technique involves the shallow placement of a few very small acupuncture needles under the skin of the patient’s outer ear.

    Patients usually feel little or no pain at the time of insertion and none for the usual 45-minute duration of the treatment. Many of the patients report feeling relaxed with increased energy and ability to focus mentally following the treatment.

    Sawyer, a graduate of the Millhouse Program, is in private practice. For information on acu detox, contact Sawyer at 817-451-4499 or Sutter in the mental health department at 817-515-6614.