 A few years ago, my son asked me why the newly planted trees around my office were tied to a couple of sticks. The harness around the trees were very sturdy and often left a mark on the trees. I told him that the young trees, without support, may break due to strong winds. I also said it looks painful for the trees to be "restricted". However, that's what I call "tough love".
Recently a few teenage patients came to see us for back pain, or simply, scoliosis. There are also adults who have the same problem, but it's sad to see young patients quietly develop this problem, which will surely affect the quality of their later life. Of course, acupuncture, massage, yoga, exercise, correcting harness, etc will help these young patients, but it would take time. In some severe cases, major surgeries are recommended as the last straw. Many factors contribute to scoliosis. However, the lack of parental supervision on postures is one of the major. Parents nowadays are trying to provide the best they could: food, clothes, smart phones, computers, cars, you name it. However, parents' love is still not complete if you've never paid enough attention to how your children sit, stand, or walk. It's understandable that few teenagers want to hear anything, especially corrections from their parents. But you still have to say it and repeat until they correct it. When I tell my kids to "sit straight" or "tie your shoelaces", I meant to see immediate corrections. They know I am a “TOUGH DAD”! Teenage patients never understand how much the tough love means to them until their parents have to shuttle them to doctors and pay for those expensive visits. Parents, watch your kids! Kids, listen to your parents! Frank He, L. Ac., QME, DAOM Kindly edited by Désiré Desrosiers
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 Two months ago a fifteen year old high school student presented to my clinic with severe pain in her left thumb for three months after someone fell on her hand during cheering. Xrays indicated subluxation of 1st MC joint with likely stress fractures. Her hand and wrist were in cast for 6 weeks. Had been taking 1800 mg ibuprofen on daily basis without any relief. Orthopedists said there was nothing wrong with her hand and did not have solutions but possible surgery.
Based on the nature of her injury and history of treatment, I thought she was suffering from what is called reflexed sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) due to prolonged casting. I have successfully treated many cases like this before and am confident in this case as well. However, the first three sessions offered no relief at all to her pain. She always gave the same answer-pain was the same and nothing would work! I sensed she was somewhat skeptical about acupuncture and she came to see me simply because her parents wanted her to try something else before possible surgery. In order to confirm my hypothesis, I sent her mom an email with the following two links for her to share with her daughter. Hopefully she would be interested in knowing that the western mainstream begins to accept acupuncture as a vital part of healthcare. http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/relieving-pain-with-acupuncture http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778 To my pleasant surprise, she seemed a little positive at her fourth visit and even asked me a couple of questions about acupuncture. On her fifth visit, she said her pain was better after the fourth treatment. Guess what? She was pain free after two more sessions. The power of placebo or acupuncture! Who cares?! Frank He, L. Ac., QME, DAOM |
AuthorsAcupuncture Specialists at Integrative Medicine Center Archives
April 2023
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