Kevin Coughlin MD Blog

We had an interesting week as we closed out February 2010. 2 Positive IVF pregnancy results - I will be supporting them weekly until the pregnancies are established. Another treatment course was to turn a 34 week baby from breech to head down - results are pending. Still another treatment was induction of labor for baby number 7! Spleen 4 and Spleen 6 were particularly effective and she left the office with hard steady contractions - waiting to hear how long it took to deliver. But, not every treatment was Baby related. Recent patients include a gentleman with ALS and arm weakness, and a lady from far West Nebraska with a neurological degenerative disease too new to have an insurance code! Her hearing and blinking are affected but mostly we are working on strength in her arms too. Monday will be her second visit. Other new patients this week have Fibromyalgia, Bipolar disorder, Chronic migraines, withdrawal symptoms from anti-depressants and pain medication. And on it goes - of course with low back pain, neck and shoulder pain holding their good share of appointment slots.  I am still fascinated and encouraged by responses we see. On we go.

The web talk was well-received last week. I covered the applications for acupuncture during cancer treatment, and recovery phase. Sources included the research from such prestigious sites as MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and Sloan Kettering.  I cited the work of Keith Block, MD from Chicago, a leader in integrative oncology. But during the Q/A at the end “Frank” a “retired MD” took issue with acupuncture stating that “nothing has changed in 50 years” and this is “all hocus pocus” (I sensed that he wanted to use a stronger phrase) and no better than hypnosis. I replied that I respected his opinion, but knew of hundreds of colleagues around the country who practiced acupuncture every day and saw clinical results. “Well, maybe one in 200 would fall for this, but most doctors are TOO HONEST!” after which he hung up.  The moderator apologized, but I felt and stated that it was educational to hear first hand that such opinions do exist, and may be all too common among Western physicians. The rest of the questions were thoughtful and sincere. Several came from cancer patients, and some from nurses and caregivers. So heckle away, those who protest. You will not dissuade the advance of Integrative Medicine.

Next Week - I will be presenting a talk for the Catholic Health Initiatives network titled “The Healing Power of Acupuncture”. This is part of the Strong & Smart - Living Well with Cancer series. I will address the growing field of Integrative Oncology (Conventional + Alternative) and the applications of acupuncture within that setting. The details are:

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

10AM PST - 11AM MST - Noon CST - 1PM EST

45 minutes of Presentation + 15 minutes Q/A

Register and receive log in information at 800-278-7837

There is no charge.

You will be able to watch on your computer screen and listen on your phone. For yourself, friends, and family this is an opportunity to hear how acupuncture can enhance cancer treatment and recovery. It will also be recorded for later access. We would love to have you join the audience.

2010 finds Medical Acupuncture in steady demand. The balance remains at 60% pain management; 40% energy work but some dynamics are changing. I find MORE fellow physicians are suggesting that patients consider acupuncture - and then referring for treatment. This is very encouraging. So often in American Medicine the sequence only includes medication, then surgery. Sometimes it includes some physical medicine such as physical therapy - or injections of medications before surgery. But in the last 6-12 months I find more of my colleagues are inserting acupuncture (no pun intended) into their sequence of management. And really, why not try a series of $90 acupuncture treatments for a knee or low back before commiting to a $50, 75 or 100K surgery bill + the risks of anesthesia, hospital-borne infections, etc. It just makes sense.