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Acupuncture:effective treatment for pain, other conditionsGary Stanton, MD, prepares to give Barbara Ketz an acupuncturetreatment for her low back pain.pain and sleep problems,” he notes. “Many of themrespond to acupuncture, as do patients with conditionssuch as anxiety, hot flashes and addiction.”He often combines acupuncture with other treatments.“As a physician, I want to offer treatment that is as safeas possible, and acupuncture carries a low risk.”Neurologist has extensive training intraditional and ear acupunctureClassic sciatic pain can be relentless, as Barbara Ketzknows. “It affects my lower back, my right leg and myability to walk,” she explains. “Pain injections help,but they don’t always work.” So Ms. Ketz relies onacupuncture to treat her chronic pain.“It really helps,” says the Maynard resident. “Afteracupuncture, the pain and stiffness eases up, and itseems to enhance my pain injections. If I didn’t havethe acupuncture, it would be horrible.”For the past year, Ms. Ketz, 66, has received regularacupuncture treatments from Gary Stanton, MD, a neurologistat Emerson who received training in medicalacupuncture at Harvard Medical School and BostonUniversity School of Medicine. “I saw Dr. Stanton formy headaches, and he mentioned that he offers acupuncture,”she explains. “I like knowing that a neurologistis taking care of me. Dr. Stanton is so caring;he just wants to take your pain away.”Research study makes it clear: acupuncture worksShe is not alone in discovering that acupuncture,which has a 2000-year track record of success, is effectiveat treating pain. In September 2012, The Archivesof Internal Medicine, a respected medical journal,published “Acupuncture for Chronic Pain,” which reported“robust evidence...that acupuncture is a reasonablereferral option for patients with chronic pain.”The conclusion was based on an analysis of 18,000patients.Dr. Stanton was not surprised to see such compellingevidence. “A large percentage of my patients have18Dr. Stanton also performs ear acupuncture, also knownas auriculotherapy, which was developed in France.Since receiving his training at the University of ParisXIII, Dr. Stanton has performed research and lecturedinternationally on ear acupuncture. “The ear has arich connection with the nervous system,” he explains.“Ear acupuncture is particularly useful in detoxificationand helping patients lessen their need, and evenget off of, pain medication.”Carrie Ranelli-Nardone’s first ear acupuncture treatmentfor trigeminal neuralgia – a chronic pain syndromethat affects the face – convinced her she hadfound a solution. “In 2010, I had two surgeries on myface, which left it so sensitive that it hurt to put onmakeup or even to be near an air-conditioner,” explainsthe Chelmsford resident. “I didn’t want to be onpain medication anymore because it affected my abilityto speak clearly, and my job requires phone work.”In 2011, Alexios Carayannopoulos, MD, a pain specialistwith the Lahey Spine Program at Emerson, referredher to Dr. Stanton. “As soon as the first needle wentin, I felt my pain diminish,” says Ms. Ranelli-Nardone,who is 40. “I have ear acupuncture with Dr. Stantonevery few weeks, I take no pain medication, and I’m90 percent better. I thank God every day I found Dr.Stanton. People need to know there are options forpain management.”Dr. Stanton, who co-founded The New EnglandSociety for Medical Acupuncture, now has a dedicatedacupuncture treatment room at his Concord office andoffers laser acupuncture for those who are fearful ofneedles. “As a neurologist, I need to understand thenature of my patients’ problems, so I take a thoroughhistory, perform a physical exam and make sure theappropriate lab tests are done.“I’ve seen how acupuncture can benefit my patients,”he says. “In fact, it has brought me closer to the practiceof medicine by obliging me to consider the wholeperson.”What is acupuncture?Acupuncture is a methodof encouraging the bodyto promote natural healingand improve function.Treatment is accomplishedby inserting tiny needles atprecise, defined acupuncturepoints, called meridians,which is thought to unblockenergy channels.Acupunctureresources on theEmerson medicalstaffCynthia McMahon-King978-392-8898 or978-589-6901Gary Stanton, MD978-371-8935Kerry and Judi Weinstein978-443-6789Wei Zhang978-970-2222
Special ProgramsPrevention for those at risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetesEmerson’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Programwill again offer a 12-week preventioncourse for individuals with cardiac metabolicsyndrome, which puts them at riskfor developing heart disease and/or type 2diabetes. Program participants must haveat least three of the following risk factors:waist circumference greater than 40inches for men and 35 inches for women;blood pressure higher than 130/85; cholesterollevels that are out of the normalrange (HDL lower than 40 for men and 50for women with triglycerides greater than 150); and fasting blood sugar levelgreater than 100.The program, which will begin on Thursday, January 17, 5:00-7:00 pm,focuses on nutrition and exercise education, behavior modification andstress management and also offers a weekly support group. The programis staffed by a nurse, physical therapist, dietitian and social worker. The costis $400. The spring program will begin on Thursday, April 11.Yoga of the Heart ® for optimal health and wellbeingYoga of the Heart ® is an easy, gentle meditativeyoga that is designed to promote optimalhealth and wellbeing, tranquility and stress reduction.The program is designed for cardiacpatients and uses mats, chairs and pillowsupports. The class is led by EstherBurchinal, MS, CES, RCEP, Yoga of theHeart ® certified instructor. The cost is $150 for a ten-week session. The nextsession begins on Monday, January 28, from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm.Both classes will be held in the cardiac rehab and prevention department,located on the ground floor of the White House at Emerson. For moreinformation, please call 978-287-3732.surgical weight loss:getting started information sessionThis free information session is the first step in your weight loss journeyat the Emerson-Mass General Weight Loss Program. Our surgeons andteam will provide a program overview and describe your weight losssurgery options. All sessions are on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. Please call978-287-3532 to register.January 8January 15January 22February 5February 12February 26at Emerson (Cheney Conference Room)at Four Points Sheraton/Leominsterat Emersonat Emersonat Westford Regencyat EmersonComprehensive baseline concussion testing is availableEmerson’s Center for Sports Rehabilitationin Concord and Westford now providescomprehensive baseline concussion testingfor young athletes. Results from the threetests – ImPACT baseline, Balance ErrorScoring System and Biodex modified,which tests sensory integration and balance – provide physicians with objectiveassessments necessary for a smooth transition to recovery and a safe returnto play in cases where a concussion is suspected. With baseline testing,the athlete’s physician will have data to compare pre- and post-concussioncognitive and physical performance. The cost for all three tests is $75/athlete;allow 60 minutes for testing.Please call 978-287-8200 to schedule an appointment or email concussioninfo@emersonhosp.org for more information.Running assessment, conditioning class to be held in WestfordOn Saturday, January 26, a free runningassessment will be held from 12:00noon-3:00 pm at the Westford HealthCenter. The one-on-one assessment by asports medicine physical therapist willinclude strength and flexibility testing,lower extremity biomechanical analysis, footwear fit and running analysis.Please wear comfortable clothing, preferably shorts, and the sneakers yourun in. The screening is appropriate for all runners, including beginners.An eight-session running conditioning class teaches running-specificstrength and flexibility exercises that are proven to reduce injury andimprove performance. Classes will be held on Monday and Wednesdayevenings from 6:00-7:00 pm from January 28-February 25 (no class onMonday, February 18). Please wear comfortable clothing and sneakers,and also bring an exercise mat. Cost for the eight-session program is $150.The Westford Health Center is located at 133 Littleton Road in Westford. Pleasecall 978-589-6850 for more information.Keys to IndependenceThis comprehensive driving assessment programis geared to adults who have undergone achange in health status that has caused concernabout their safety behind the wheel. The programconsists of a 90-minute clinical evaluationfrom a certified occupational therapist and, if qualified, an on-road drivingtest from a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. A physician referral isrequired.For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Center forSports Rehabilitation at 978-287-8200.19
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