direction of the needle clockwise when
inserting into the skin will increase the flow of
qi in that specific area. Likewise, turning the
needle counter clockwise will draw out an
excess of qi in the chosen area. Ashley
referred to this method of needle twirling as
"chasing the dragon". She also explained how
after each needles is used, she disposes each
one individually into a hazardous material
receptacle. She began placing the needles in
my skin throughout various spots on my
body. Since I was there to treat lower back
pain, Ashley knew specific channels that
needed to
felt administered, and if I did it never felt
more than a little pinch. After I was finished
and redressed, I got a chance to have a few
words with Ashley T. Lanahan the
acupuncturist.
Toby: Why do you feel that many people have found
comfort in the healing treatment of acupuncture even
though Western biomedicine sees it as a complimentary
alternative medicine?
Ashley: Well first off, there is evidence supporting the
fact that when the needles go in to the first layers of
your skin, your endorphin levels raise. Most of my
patients, a significant amount of them coming in for
back pain like you, report an overall increase in wellbeing. They take comfort in the holistic approach and
practitioner-patient relationship.
Toby: What are some ways that acupuncture has
transformed from its traditional roots during the
transference into American culture?
Ashley: I did my studies in China with a Chinese
acupuncturist that had been practicing his trade for
decades. The practice is relatively similar; one of the
largest differences that I saw was that the Chinese
typically heal in group sessions. Here in America we
treat it like a massage and focus on the 1 on 1
patient-practioner relationship. This is because Mao
ZeDong systematized healthcare during his time in
power. When acupuncture transferred over here, the
relationship was allowed to free up within the practice
and become more individualized.
This healing experience showed me
the methods in which practitioners of
traditional
Chinese
medicine
apply
acupunctural healing to heal both the body
and the mind. I believe the holistic approach
toward medical care is what stimulates such a
growing sensation in the American public.
Although Western biomedicine views
acupuncture under the umbrella of
complimentary healthcare, the social view of
this practice is on the rise in America due to
both failures of Western medicine to
sufficiently heal patients in certain areas, and
the growing number of positive subjective
experiences and personal testimonials about
the healing properties of acupuncture. This
practice has endured countless generations
and transformed through the centuries as it
The focus of needles in my back intended on releasing the
blocked flow of qi. (Toby Feuer 2013)
have either an increase, or a release of excess
buildup of qi flow. She symmetrically placed
six needles in my lower back, six in my upper
back, two in the back of my neck, one in each
thumb pad, two in each calf and one in the
side of each of my ankles. After a ll the needles
were administered, Ashley left the room for
about thirty minutes to allow me time to let
the qi to begin flowing more fluidly. During
this time I found myself slowly falling out of
consciousness heading toward sleep. I never
fell fully asleep because I still consciously
knew of my thoughts. I was however, floating
in a mental state of lucid thought, the predream state if you will. This trancelike
mindset lasted until the practitioner entered
the room again to remove the needles.
Overall, the acupuncture treatment felt
foreign, new, yet interesting. The procedure
never hurt and most of the needles I never
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