“Acupuncture has totally changed the way I feel,” says Sheldon Wickham, a patient at Salem Community Acupuncture for the last two months. Suffering from chronic migraines for 11 years, acupuncture was able to do what countless doctors and pills weren’t able to: take away the pain.
Experiencing Salem Community Acupuncture isn’t anything like the typical acupuncture experience. First of all, it doesn’t break the bank; you can actually afford it thanks to a sliding scale ranging within $15 to $35 a treatment. You decide what you pay.
“This model was created in Portland by an organization called Working Class Acupuncture. Acupuncture works best with frequent regular treatments and it can become expensive. This model makes it so it’s accessible to as many people as possible, while still being able to maintain a profitable business,” said Nancy Sutton, MSW, L.Ac. and co-owner.
Unlike the common acupuncture setting which takes place in a doctor’s office, on a table, the environment at Salem Community Acupuncture is welcoming and soothing. You walk in and baby blue walls surround the room. Recliners are spread out throughout so you can lie back and relax as you get treated. There are blankets to keep you warm and soothing music to let your mind wander off.
So what is acupuncture? “It’s the stimulation of qi (pronounced chi) by putting needles in points on the body known to historically do that,” says Nancy Arntson, RN, L.Ac. and co-owner. It can cure or treat many ailments including but not limited to headaches, insomnia, neck pain and hypertension to name a few. Acupuncture isn’t a fad or a type of hocus pocus, but a form of medicine that has been around for thousands of years and highly effective. Many would ask, how does sticking needles in you heal? The exact answer is unknown but Sutton’s thoughts on the issue are as follows.
“Acupuncture affects vital energy of the body. If that energy gets stuck, there’s not enough energy or too much, we get sick. Acupuncture helps unblock stagnation,” says Sutton.
Not only as a practitioner, but as someone who has used acupuncture in her own life, Sutton firmly believes in its healing qualities. “I dealt with debilitating anxiety and depression and had no success with previous treatments. I started getting acupuncture and began to feel like a normal person again. It also sparked my career change and here I am today.”
Salem Community Acupuncture has been around since January of last year. “We both had the idea and her name came up as a person to contact. We knew we didn’t want to do it alone,” said Arntson.
For skeptics, or people who don’t know much about acupuncture, taking the first step and just trying it is the difficult thing. For those who do give it a shot, the effects can be life-changing.
Wickham suffered migraines for 11 years, at least eight of which he was on pain pills. “The pills only covered the pain, made it tolerable. Acupuncture actually takes the pain away.”
“You sit and relax. I’ve even fallen asleep in there. You don’t notice other people in there, it’s a good experience.” He added. Wickham isn’t the only one who’s noticed a change. “My friends have noticed a huge difference in my general well-being. My kids have also noticed a difference.”
Making a difference in a patient’s quality of life is what Sutton and Arntson love about what they do. “Contributing to my community means everything to me and providing the opportunity for a lot of people to accesses it. Knowing patients’ quality of life is improved and that they can live with less pain, stress or be a better parent,” says Sutton.
Arntson echoes similar feelings. “People getting better access to acupuncture and creating a comfortable atmosphere; when [a patient's] life is changed and I hear someone say they feel better and are able to play with their grandkids. That’s what I’m proud of.”
The sincere wishes to help their patients doesn’t go unnoticed. “They are very supportive,” says Don Outland. A patient since early February, he began going 4 times a week and is down to only once a week. Acupuncture has helped him quit smoking, which he did for 30 years.
“It has really helped calm me and provide me with an opportunity to relax instead of reaching for a cigarette.” He still has cravings, but along with the willpower to quit and some meds, acupuncture has played a significant part in making a change.
Mention needles and many will cringe. “People associate acupuncture with pain and can’t get past that,” says Arntson. Personally, as someone who is substantially afraid of needles and having tried acupuncture for the first time at Salem Community Acupuncture, I can say it didn’t hurt. “I never tell people it doesn’t hurt. People have different experiences and sensations but most of the time it doesn’t hurt,” said Sutton.
Salem Community Acupuncture represents a return to tradition: acupuncture where you can experience it with family members or friends, in a relaxing setting, as it’s done in China.
MORE INFORMATION
Salem Community Acupuncture
2416 13th St.
503-798-2918
salemcommunityacupuncture.com
