Beware Of Commercial Breaks
By: Dr. Deborah Rothman
I sometimes wonder if prescription drug companies and acupuncturists live in parallel universes. In one universe, a patient walks into their doctor’s office hoping to leave with a prescription that will solve a problem. In the other universe, a patient walks into his acupuncturist’s office hoping to avoid needing another prescription! Both are looking for the same thing: they want to feel better. But the conversations afterward can be remarkably different.
If you watch television for more than ten minutes, it’s impossible to avoid all the prescription drug commercials. They begin with smiling people spending time doing outdoor activities such as boating, gardening, or strolling on a beach. The mirage is that their aching joints and high cholesterol have suddenly disappeared forever. You think: “Maybe I should ask my doctor about that.” Not so fast. The announcer begins reading a list of side effects at the speed of a New York auctioneer: “Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, headaches, insomnia, constipation, heart attack, stroke, death, etc.” The possible side effects became increasingly more serious and intimidating. By the time the commercial ends, you have completely forgotten what the medication was supposed to treat. Instead, you’re relieved that you do not have to suffer the side effects!
Every time I hear one of those commercials, I cannot help but laugh because my conversations with my acupuncture patients and the ensuing “side effects” from the treatments are quite the opposite! Patients often come in with complaints of back pain, stiff neck, or migraine headaches that have become a regular feature of their lives. After a few acupuncture treatments, I ask some questions to review their medical history and ask them how they’re feeling. Frequently, they are happy to report that the original chief complaint that brought them into my office has improved dramatically. The conversation does not end there. They say that something else happened.
I’ve learned over the years that whenever a patient follows with this, I should simply sit back and listen. A 54-year-old woman originally came in with a stiff neck that felt like concrete that resulted from years of sitting at a computer. After several treatments, she eagerly told me that her neck was better, but that’s not the surprising part. She smiled and added, “And I’ve been sleeping through the night. I forgot what that felt like.”
An 83-year-old male sought treatment for chronic knee pain. After several visits, he looked at me and said, “My wife told me to thank you. She says I don’t snore nearly as much anymore. I’m not falling asleep in my recliner every evening, and apparently, I’m a lot more pleasant to be around.”
A 34-year-old patient presented with chronic migraines. After a few weeks she walked into my office with a puzzled expression. “I think something’s wrong,” she said. Those words got my attention, as they always do. “My headaches are almost gone—and my hot flashes are better too! I did not even tell you to focus on that.”
The human body has an interesting way of reminding us that everything is connected. It does not separate itself into neat little compartments the way medical specialties often do. When one system begins to function more efficiently, the other systems improve as well. This is especially apparent in the mind-body connection. Acupuncture is a science-based medicine, not magic. Although many of my patients would argue that there is something magical about its healing powers. While every patient responds differently, after many years of practice, I’ve stopped being surprised when patients tell me they came in for one issue and left noticing improvements in several others. This includes: sleeping better, having more energy, feeling less stressed, improved digestion, and having a calmer outlook. Sometimes family members notice the changes before the patient does. A spouse who accompanied her husband during treatments recently told me: “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. I have my husband back.”
The side effects from acupuncture are the good ones: When all your systems begin improving and your mood is noticeably calmer. This is a far cry from the list of side effects from prescription drugs during those TV commercials. I’m not criticizing modern medicine. Prescription drugs have saved countless lives and there are conditions that make them essential. I regularly refer patients to physicians in such cases. But I believe the best healthcare happens when practitioners work together. Yet, I find it amusing that one form of treatment often requires pages of warnings about what might go wrong while another frequently has patients telling me about all the unexpected things that went right!
If acupuncture commercials had to list all the possible side effects, they would sound like this: “Warning, you may sleep better than you have in years. Your family may notice you’re less irritable. You might wake up with more energy, have fewer headaches, digest your meals more comfortably, and rediscover what it feels like to relax and let go of that stress you’ve been holding forever.” I’m guessing the legal department would not object to that disclaimer.
In my practice, I encourage patients to understand that health is not simply the absence of pain. It is waking up refreshed instead of feeling exhausted. It is enjoying dinner without having to focus on your discomfort. It is having enough energy to play with your grandchildren. It is finding yourself smiling more often without knowing why. Those improvements rarely make headlines, yet they make life worth living.
Every week someone leaves AcuZen Wellness Center saying, “I came in for a specific pain syndrome, but I just feel better overall!” As an acupuncturist, I never grow tired of hearing those words. The best side effects are not the negative ones you fear, but the positive ones you never expected. As opposed to the awful negative side effects of certain medications, in this parallel universe of acupuncture, the incredible beneficial side effects are a welcome change. If feeling better in more ways than just your initial chief complaint is considered a side effect, then it’s time we stopped worrying about the frightening ones we see during commercial breaks and start looking forward to the incredibly wonderful side effects acupuncture can offer.
Dr. Deborah Rothman is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, as well as a Diplomate of Acupuncture. She is in private practice and runs a Wellness Center in Lawrence, offering a complete solution for all your health and wellness needs. Comments and questions are welcome. She can be reached on 516.203.4500 or [email protected]. Please visit AcuZen.com and follow AcuZenWellness on Facebook & Instagram.
