Turning Point Center, LLC

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

“Hi, I’m Dan Close and I came to the Turning Point Center because I have seasonal allergies.

Ever since I came to Eugene in 1974 I had severe allergies in February, March, April, May, and June. I attempted to manage these allergies through a variety of procedures: Medicine, avoidance, over-the-counter medications, masks, everything.

My wife had been telling me for years that I should try acupuncture but I was just a little nervous or leery about that. One day she persuaded me to go see an acupuncturist… I heard a good report on Tom Williams, and the Turning Point Center was so close to the University that I came over. I think this is my fourth or fifth year, having my seasonal allergies treated.

It’s an unbelievably effective treatment in that you come prior to the onset of the major allergens from the trees and grasses and you sort of build up the ability to counter them. I don’t know how. I’ve never really figured out how it works. But what’s interesting is you come for a period of time and you kind of build up and then go away for a awhile. I usually come three separate sequences of time: in the middle of February, late March to early April and then mid-May to June. That seems to be an effective way to treat my seasonal allergies and I would encourage you to do the same.”

--Dan Close, Eugene, OR

Tom Williams, L.Ac. and Linda Spray, RN-retired, will lead a lecture series on the effectiveness of acupuncture for fibromyalgia at Turning Point Center LLC (April 7 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM) and Lane Community College (April 28 from noon to 1:00 PM). Call the clinic at (541) 686-9658 for more information. Below is a transcript of Linda’s testimony: 

“My name is Linda Spray and I’m a retired Registered Nurse. I retired early about ten years ago because I had a recurrence of cancer in my left shoulder and I had had chemotherapy and radiation. After I was retired, I experienced the bad effects from an earlier on-the-job injury and heredity. I developed fibromyalgia, which worsened and worsened over the years. I felt helpless and hopeless with it.

“Fifteen months ago, I was at the point of complete despair and ready to completely give up. It seemed there was no hope. Fortunately, I got to the right medical people, got some different medications, and got to see Dr. James Morris at his pain clinic. In his consultation, he recommended that I try a number of different modalities, one at a time. I missed the one at a time and jumped into all of them. I’ve done massage and Feldenkrais for a lot of years and some reflexology and they kept me going. Then I added physical therapy and, very importantly, I added acupuncture with Tom Williams.

“I am so pleased with the progress I have made with Tom. One of the clearest things that’s happened is that when I came to see him, he nor anyone else could touch my left shoulder. That was the area that had brought me to despair. It would feel like somebody had thrown hot grease on me and they kept throwing it. As people with chronic pain know, there can be times when it’s just overwhelming. The very first time I saw Tom that pain decreased. I was blown away and so pleased.

“I’ve continued to see him weekly and that pain has not ever come back like it used to be. If he’d done nothing else for me, that is an incredible gift. In addition, he has helped me with my whole body structure getting stronger. He works very well with the other two or three modalities I do. He’s aware of things, very professional, very skilled, very gentle. I am extremely happy that I found Tom.”

EXCERPT: “There was a day when I couldn’t even pick up a comb. One of my clients is a neuro-surgeon and he said ‘You’re going to have issues with carpal tunnel and you might have to look at surgery.’ That wasn’t something I really wanted to do.

My next client said, ‘Look, I’ve got a guy. I’m going to take your right now.’ I got in the car, drove over. I didn’t know anything about acupuncture. I walked in, sat down. Tom fit me in between patients, put some needles into me. Thirty minutes later, I walked out. I could go play tennis, lift weights, and I was sold right then and there.

I went back a few days later. He explained the whole thing: The relationship of chi in the body and how it all moves. All I know is it works. I’ve highly recommended him ever since. That was about 14 years ago.”

--David Fletcher, Amadeus Salon, Eugene, OR