Turning Point Center, LLC

Allergies, Ear Pain, & Sinusitis: Oh My!

tomw — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:35:58 +0000

Tom Williams of Turning Point Center in Eugene, Oregon demonstrates how to use a tiger warmer to administer moxibustion therapy for allergies, ear pain, and sinusitis.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQo4Rz67Tu4

Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Smoking Cessation

tomw — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:29:36 +0000

In the 1950’s, French acupuncturists discovered that every acupuncture point on the body has a corresponding point on the ear. These points can be stimulated with needles or with pellets to treat addiction to nicotine, alcohol, or drug abuse. These points can also be used for weight loss purposes.

Such treatment has two phases. In the clinic, needles are inserted into points that target the lungs and kidneys (for smoking cessation) or the stomach (weight loss). For both conditions, points that relate to the mouth and relaxation are stimulated as well.

In the second phase, pellets are inserted into the ears that are worn until the next treatment to provide at-home support. Length of treatment varies, according to the patient’s progress and goals.

Acupuncture treatments may assist these goals by stimulating the release of endorphins. Endorphins are a hormone that function as the body’s own natural painkillers and anti-depressants. They can help combat the anxiety and irritability that accompany any lifestyle change.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZTgiEnjds0

Japanese Acupuncture Techniques Rely on Touch

tomw — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:23:06 +0000

At Turning Point Center, we use Japanese acupuncture techniques to treat a wide range of stress-related illnesses. One reason the Japanese style is effective for these conditions is the use of touch to identify the precise point for needle insertion.

In more traditional styles of acupuncture, the needle is inserted in the same place at the same angle for every patient with a specific problem. Practitioners of Japanese style, in contrast, will use a palpation-based technique that relies on feedback from the patient.

In a new video posted on our website, Tom demonstrates this pivotal technique. First, he presses gently on the painful area to find where it is most tender (in this case, the hip). Then, he presses a point along the same meridian (e.g., the outer thigh) and asks if the painful point is less tender.

First-time patients are often surprised: “The pain is less!” Some patients have even asked Tom if moved his finger and is no longer pressing on the painful area.

Stimulation of the second palpated point on the thigh improves the flow of blood all along the meridian, including the hip. Sometimes, the treated area is much farther away from the painful area. For instance, points on the hands and feet can be needled to treat back pain.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_q2rwuTvok

Acupuncture’s Got Game

tomw — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:42:17 +0000

By day, she is a star UO student and able office assistant at Turning Point Center Acupuncture Clinic. By night and on weekends, Lily Herd is a member of the #1 ranked women’s ultimate frisbee team, Fugue.

At the Northwest Regionals tournament in Eugene earlier this month, Lily assisted on three goals in just the second half of the game, helping to push Fugue into first place in the nation. Lily hypothesizes that one of the reasons the UO team is so good is that they hang out together all the time. “We have a high level of respect for each other, which really helps with a team sport,” she says.

Lily has been playing for more than six years, but did not get to play in the championship game of 2010, because of a chronic injury in her left thigh muscle. “This year, I have played the entire season,” she says. “I firmly believe that acupuncture and orthopedic massage are the reason why I have been able to play consistently at tournaments and at practices. Treatments have kept the blood flowing and helped heal the muscle tissue after a tournament or very long periods of play.” Given that they often play 14 hours of ultimate frisbee in one weekend tournament, this is a pretty significant improvement!

If you would like to help Lily and her Fugue teammates go to nationals in Boulder, Colorado on May 25-28, send a tax-deductible donation payable to the UO Foundation to: Oregon Women’s Ultimate, Club Sports, Erb Memorial Union, 1228 E. 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97403. On the memo line, write: Oregon Women’s Ultimate, #25-5952.

Here’s a short video of the team, gearing up for the 2011 season. Watch for Lily at :03 and :19!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iNsvzs76dE

Mother and Daughter Duo on Acupuncture for Seasonal Allergies

tomw — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:48:04 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qGtJRjT3Nc

“Hi, my name’s Alayne Clarke. This is my daughter Heather.We came to the Turning Point Center because a friend. . . recommended Tom when I told her that both of us suffered from pretty bad allergies. I didn’t suffer from allergies until I moved to Eugene, which was about 14 years ago. Heather really has a hard time with allergies. My friend Kathy mentioned that they have this wonderful treatment with acupuncture that will help your symptoms. And we thought, well, we’ll give it a shot. I wasn’t sure how Heather would react to that, but she said she would be willing to give it a shot. We came here and met with Tom and he asked if we had any questions. Do you remember what you asked him at that first meeting?”

Heather: “What happens if you roll over?”

Alayne: “Yes.” (laughing) “If it had ever happened that anyone had ever rolled over onto their needles. And he said, no, he didn’t think so. That was last year and it helped us quite a bit. It relieved a lot of our symptoms. I know a lot of people think acupuncture is needles and painful, but it’s not at all. We were really happy to see that it’s very relaxing. When we come out of a treatment, we are both so, ah, that was so relaxing. It’s almost like a nice little respite to look forward to when we know we have an appointment. It’s been very helpful for us, and Tom and Janeen have both been really wonderful.

(To Heather): “Anything? Has it been helping you?”

Heather: “Yes.”

Alayne: “And you like coming to acupuncture?”

Heather: “Yes.”

Alayne: “And you would recommend it to people?”

Heather: “Sure.”

--Alayne and Heather Clarke, Eugene, OR

Acupuncture for Seasonal Allergies: A Balance Method Treatment Demonstration

tomw — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:15:02 +0000

While many acupuncture treatments target particular areas of the body (for instance, pain in the left shoulder or low back), other treatments balance functional systems. This video demonstrates a “balancing” treatment used to treat seasonal allergies by regulating the body’s immune response and reducing inflammation in the lungs, eyes, and sinuses.

This simple and straightforward treatment uses a total of twelve points: two on each arm, two on each leg, and four on the face. The “Balance Method” often uses a combination of points on the knees, elbows, hands, and feet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_B-x6bciI

I Can Breathe in the Month of May

tomw — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:08:28 +0000

“My name is Dick Pershern. I came to Turning Point Center to have Tom help me with my allergies. In particular, I am allergic to Scotch Broom, which right now, at this time of year, very heavy. Last weekend, I worked all weekend outdoors on my farm with not a hint of reaction to the Scotch Broom. In a word, it works. For the first time in twenty years, I can breathe in the month of May. I can’t tell people who haven’t experienced it, what is like to be free of the allergy symptoms. It opens up your life. You have energy. You can continue on with your life instead of hiding indoors trying to avoid the symptoms or just being miserable from the symptoms.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-gdGFi0e4Y

--Dick Pershern, Eugene, OR

Allowed me to keep doing what I love

tomw — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:53:52 +0000

“Hi, I’m Bess Day, also known as Aphrofighty. I skate roller derby with the Flat Track Furies with the Emerald City Roller Girls roller derby league. I came to Turning Point originally because I was skating in a bout and I got nailed by this giant, 300-pound woman. She sent me flying. I landed right on the sweet spot of my rear end. I had just shooting pain all down my leg. I went to Tom and he hooked me right up with some great treatment and got me back on the track in no time flat. Since then, he has treated me for shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain, general stress, and the abuse that we take out here on the track. He has allowed me and my 39-year-old body to keep skating and doing what I love. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_LOn1ZkZE

--Bess Day, Eugene, OR

Healed Many Fairly Serious Injuries

tomw — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:17:00 +0000

“Hi, I’m Marietta Bonaventure, also known as Vexine. I play roller derby with the Flat Track Furies. We are sponsored by Turning Point Acupuncture, whose services I have used many, many times. I’ve healed so many fairly serious injuries with the help of Turning Point’s great practitioners and I rely on them for healing up all my little owies. They do a wonderful job. Thank you.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmiBYulq0p0

--Marietta Bonaventure, Eugene, OR

I Feel Better All Over

tomw — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:11:46 +0000

“Hi, my name is Katie Bennett. I am also known as Katarina Van Rotten, and I skate for the Flat Track Furies, which is one of the Emerald City Roller Girls teams. I play roller derby, and it’s a really physical, very athletic sport. I’ve always been athletic, but this definitely pushes me to my limits. I started coming into Turning Point Center to address some specific problems that I have: tightness in my knees, a recent injury to my hip. What I found is that when I leave I feel better all over. It really allows me some space to relax and regroup and to address not just that one area but all the things that come with being injured when you are a really competitive person. I am really grateful to Turning Point Center for making me feel better and for being a really great place to come.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHRdSg9f630

--Katie Bennett, Eugene, OR

Treating Neck Pain with ETPS

tomw — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:50:34 +0000

The ETPS, known affectionately as “the zapper,” is an electro-acupuncture device that locates acupuncture points electronically and treats them with a “micro-current” that can eliminate pain in seconds. It can be used on almost any kind of pain, but we use it mostly on the neck and shoulders.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H6PDGCUHoI

I have my health back

tomw — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:28:49 +0000

In this video from 2011, patient Scott Wiggins describes his experience of receiving acupuncture for smoking cessation from Tom Williams, L.Ac of Turning Point Center LLC in Eugene, Oregon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcHAFD-Pt1U

“It’s been 21 years since I’ve smoked a cigarette. Before then I was at a pack a day. My wife says I was at close to two packs a day. I visited Tom Williams. We went through three treatments. I tried to disprove it, and then on my last treatment, I decided not to smoke.

“The thing for me for smoking was physical. Psychologically, I would tell myself I wanted to quit smoking, get myself prepared, and then at one or two days be overwhelmed with physical craving for smoking cigarettes. That was the one piece that was just really hard for me.

“With the acupuncture, I was able to not have that physical craving for cigarettes. Therefore, I finally won the battle of trying to quit smoking. It’s been 21 years that I have been cigarette free. I’m just really thankful. I have my health back. I feel so much better now. For something to actually own me like cigarettes did was really a tough thing for me. So really, it’s been many gifts.”

Addiction (Nicotine, Alcohol, and Drugs)

tomw — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:09:39 +0000

Controlled trial of acupuncture for severe recidivist alcoholism. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms: a randomized, placebo-controlled inpatient study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14578018

The Use of Acupuncture in Drug Addiction Treatment. (An overview of studies prior to 1995) http://www.ndsn.org/sept95/guest.html#anchor186470

Auricular acupuncture, education, and smoking cessation: a randomized, sham-controlled trial.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12356614

Effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction: an 8-month and 5-year follow-up study.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11676576

Effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction for motivated smokers.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9085389

A Profile of Patient (and now Receptionist!) Judith Burton

tomw — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:09:01 +0000

When Judith applied for the job of receptionist at the clinic, her strongest recommendation came from Tom’s daughter. Rosemary’s people instincts are impeccable, and she adopted “Grandma Judy” within minutes of meeting her. For her part, Judith happily adopted Rosemary into her family of four grown children and six grandchildren.

We are particularly lucky to have Judith because she is one very busy and talented woman! In addition to her duties at the clinic, she teaches yoga: a Plus Size class through River Road Parks and Recreation and a class for seniors at Falconwood Village off Coburg Road.

Judith is also passionate about women’s health and Ayurvedic medicine. Each year, she organizes a weekend of lectures and one-on-one consultations with her teacher, Dr. Sarita Shrestha, Nepal’s first OB/GYN specialist.

Judith has used acupuncture to treat insomnia, shingles, and shoulder pain. Most recently, she experienced complications from retinal and cataract surgery. Initially, the healing progressed well, but her central vision began to deteriorate four months after the surgery. She developed fluid-filled cysts and edema, making it difficult to read. “It was scary,” she said.

Judith began receiving regular acupuncture treatments for her vision and then had two extensive eye exams within one week of each other. At the second examination, the doctor noticed significant improvement in her eye. “I am sure the acupuncture is what helped it,” she said.

We feel so blessed by Judith’s gentle humor and warmth and are so grateful we can help.

Japanese Acupuncture for Hypothyroidism with Tom Williams, L.Ac.

tomw — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:50:42 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_4Vbjh2-gA

Tom Williams, L.Ac. demonstrates an effective Japanese acupuncture treatment for hypothyroidism. This treatment protocol was developed by Kiiko Matsumoto and her teacher Master Kawai. A diode chain, Patchi-Sparker device, ion pumping cords, and key acupuncture points are used to stimulate thyroid function.

An Amazing Lesson in What True Health Really Is

tomw — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:04:40 +0000

“When I first started getting acupuncture, there were days when it was so painful to bend my knees that I could barely get down the three stairs in front of my house. Now I can run down whole flights of stairs, do strenuous yoga exercises involving deep knee bends, and sit cross-legged during meditation for an hour at a time without experiencing any pain at all. Having weekly acupuncture treatments made this dramatic healing possible in two ways. The first was the acupuncture itself which helped my knees heal and regain their strength after years of a nearly constant inflammation. The second was that having time every week to talk with Janeen and Tom about my state of health enabled us to eventually discover that the cause of my inflammation was a wheat allergy. Once the source of inflammation was removed, the acupuncture had even more dramatic healing effects.

The initial health history forms are so thorough. Just filling them out was an amazing lesson in what true health actually is. Having lived a pretty healthy lifestyle for most of my life, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it meant to be healthy. But time and again I found myself checking off a symptom on the symptom check-list that I had had no idea was a sign of imbalance. ‘Waking up during the night to pee?!’ I would later object to Tom. ‘Doesn’t everyone?’ No, it turned out. They don’t. And neither do I, now that my kidneys and associated organs have been strengthened by acupuncture.

From the beginning, I have been very sensitive to the needles. Tom likes to joke that it’s because I’m a redhead. Janeen just says I’m just a very sensitive person. Whatever the reason, the discomfort was certainly never going to stop me from having acupuncture treatments for I knew that it meant that the needles had been put in just the right spots. Besides it never lasted long. However, when Tom and Janeen placed a special order for a box of super-super thin needles, I was touched by their desire to make the process more pleasant for me. I was even more delighted when we tried them out for the first time and I could barely feel them going in!”

–Tara Jones, Eugene, OR

“An amazing lesson in what being healthy is.” An Interview with Office Manager Tara Jones

tomw — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:58:47 +0000

“When I first started getting acupuncture,” says longtime patient Tara Jones, “I couldn’t bend my knees or walk down the stairs. As a result of working closely with Janeen and Tom, we discovered the causes of the problem, which included wheat allergy. Ongoing treatments made me stronger. Now, I can sit for long periods with crossed legs or do strenuous yoga exercise without any pain.”

Tara is particularly impressed by the focus on true health at the clinic. “The initial health history forms are so thorough. Just filling them out was an amazing lesson in what being healthy is. Having lived a pretty healthy lifestyle for most of my life, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it meant to be healthy. But I found myself checking off many symptoms on the check-list. ‘Waking up during the night to pee?! Doesn’t everyone?’ No, it turned out. They don’t. And neither do I, now that my kidneys and other organs have been strengthened by acupuncture.”

Of the smaller needles used in Japanese acupuncture, Tara says, “From the beginning, I have been very sensitive to the needles. Tom likes to joke that it’s because I’m a redhead. Janeen just says I’m just a very sensitive person. Whatever the reason, the discomfort was certainly never going to stop me from having acupuncture treatments for I knew that it meant that the needles had been put in just the right spots. Besides it never lasted long. However, when Tom and Janeen placed a special order for a box of super-super thin needles, I was touched by their desire to make the process more pleasant for me. I was even more delighted when we tried them out for the first time and I could barely feel them going in!”

When the clinic had an opening for an office assistant last year, Tara was an obvious choice. Then, when beloved office manager Joanna Brook moved to Texas, Tara was quickly promoted to the post. When not greeting patients and ensuring the smooth flow of the clinic, she teaches yoga, enjoys time with her 12-year-old daughter, Sophia, plays and composes music for the piano, and performs with the Roving Park Players. In the summer of 2011, she played Prospero in The Tempest (which we hope you did not miss, because she was amazing!).

Direct Moxibustion Demonstration by Tom Williams, L.Ac

tomw — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:49:17 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipj5zC0zdCI

This video is a demonstration of direct moxibustion by Tom Williams, L.Ac. In Japan, moxibustion is a clinical specialty on par with acupuncture. It is an ancient form of heat therapy, using the ground and dried leaves of the plant Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). The Mugwort is pressed into sticks or cones for use in indirect applications or is left as loose granules for use in direct applications.

This Japanese-style technique stimulates blood circulation and is effective for stress-related illnesses, including back and neck pain, headaches, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, infertility insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and weakened immunity.

We regularly teach a class in the home use of indirect moxa (not the kind captured here!). Call the office for details.

I feel at peace after each session

tomw — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:52:41 +0000

“I believe acupuncture helps my body heal itself and return to a balanced state. I know it has helped me avoid surgery on several occasions. I feel at peace after each session.”

–Jim Jamieson, Eugene, OR

Eases pain of flare-ups, improves overall health

tomw — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:48:30 +0000

“I’ve worked with acupuncture for several years. I’m very aware that the medications I take, while they have been the best way to manage my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so far, have the potential to be very toxic and harmful to other parts of my body. I really think that acupuncture has helped to balance the impact of those side effects. The medicines that work best for RA also suppress the immune system, and I strongly believe that I am able to fight off colds and other infections because of regular acupuncture sessions. Over this past year, I have had a little more trouble with some of my joints, and acupuncture has helped to ease the pain of those flare-ups too. So yes, I’m a big believer in acupuncture and the role it plays in managing my arthritis and improving my overall health.”

–Jennifer Mroz, Eugene, OR

Consistently eased my pain

tomw — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:42:33 +0000

“Acupuncture has helped me in many areas. I first went to see Tom when I was having trouble after foot surgery. I have no more foot pain. Now, I will usually try acupuncture before any other service: for anxiety, vertigo, shoulder, arthritis, neck pain, and headaches. It has consistently eased my pain.

I also use an Alpha-Stim that I received through CAFA and was surprised when I was able to use one in conjunction with acupuncture treatment at Turning Point Center. I have eased my anxiety and insomnia by using the Alpha-Stim.”

–Echo Lucas, Eugene, OR

An Interview with Patient Echo Lucas

tomw — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:35:45 +0000

This month, we caught up with Echo Lucas, who juggles the demands of two jobs with the joys of grandparenting five boys. You may have met Echo at the refund desk of Costco, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for twenty years. She says, “I am blessed to have such a good company to work for. They allow me the freedom to work in such a way that I am able to work at what I am passionate about.”

Tell us about your work with CAFA.

In 2007, I went part time at Costco and was able to work part-time for an agency that I co-founded in 1994. Christians as Family Advocates is a non-profit agency whose mission is “Making a Safer Place for Children.” CAFA provides programs for batterers, support groups for women, parenting classes, neuro feedback, and counseling services.

We are also the only program that provides supervised visitation in Lane County. In collaboration with eight churches in the area, we supervise visits for children and the non-custodial parent that they wouldn’t get to see otherwise. We provide a safe place for the visit to occur and train volunteers to conduct the visits in a safe, non-threatening, and comfortable setting. In 2010, we did 417 visits and logged 1076 volunteer hours.

What are the most important benefits you’ve had from acupuncture? Acupuncture has helped me in many areas. I first went to see Tom when I was having trouble after foot surgery. I have no more foot pain. Now, I will usually try acupuncture before any other service: for anxiety, vertigo, shoulder, arthritis, neck pain, and headaches. It has consistently eased my pain.

I also use an Alpha-Stim that I received through CAFA and was surprised when I was able to use one in conjunction with acupuncture treatment at Turning Point Center. I have eased my anxiety and insomnia by using the Alpha-Stim.

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

tomw — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:11:42 +0000

Effect of acupuncture in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12067084

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture for the treatment of childhood persistent allergic rhinitis.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15520102

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15291903

Acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis: A pragmatic, randomized trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19055209

Anxiety

tomw — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:05:14 +0000

Auricular acupuncture: a potential treatment for anxiety.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11159266

Acupuncture for anxiety and anxiety disorders: a systematic literature review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17641561

Auricular acupressure as a treatment for anxiety in prehospital transport settings. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12766639

Auricular acupressure as a treatment for anxiety before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the elderly. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17499304

Out-of-hospital auricular acupressure in elder patients with hip fracture: a randomized double-blinded trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16365322

Prehospital analgesia with acupressure at the Baihui and Hegu points in patients with radial fractures: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17920972

Arthritis

tomw — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:34:28 +0000

Acupuncture for symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18193382