Acupuncturist
Offers New Medicine
When there's no other medicine or
procedure that can eliminate persistant back pain, headaches, insomnia or
stress, Alisha Bynum said she hopes Riverton residents pay her a visit.
Three months ago, Bynum, a licensed
acupuncturist, set up her services at Sweet Grass Acupuncture and Wellness at
604 W. Main St. in Riverton.
She calls her practice
"integrative medicine for county 10," and she already has formed a
small clientele.
Bynum grew up in Riverton and
completed her undergraduate studies at Montana State University. She then
attended Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colo., and graduated in
August.
She made a career change from
advertising to acupuncture when she discovered she had an interest in health
care.
"I wanted to start helping
people in this community," Bynum said.
She said most people are reluctant
to try a procedure that inserts needles into the skin. Others are more open to
the practice, which uses needles to stimulate certain points to alleviate
functional disorders or chronic problems.
Bynum said she offers consultations
and invites those who are interested to visit with her so she can explain the
procedure.
"It's still a new medicine
around here," she said. "Acupuncture is a great partner for Western
medicine."
Bynum said acupuncture can be used
for numerous conditions such as stomachache, stress, anxiety, neck and back
pain, digestive issues, menstrual cramps, fertility, sleeping disorders,
sciatic nerve pain, migraines, sprains, strains, colds and sore throats. This
type of pain management comes from a traditional Chinese medicine practice that
serves as a "great complementary medicine," Bynum said.
Acupuncture can be rendered to
adults, children, elders and, in many cases, pregnant women.
Process
The filiform needles are small,
fine, flexible needles that usually stay in the skin for roughly 10 minutes.
Depending on what's being treated, the patient usually can rollover after the
10 minutes and have new ones placed on the other side of the body.
Most stimulation points are below
the elbows and knees or in the back.
"It's beneficial because it
balances the whole body," Bynum said. "They're so thin most people
don't even feel it when (I) put it in."
Unless the person has a "tight
spot" or an accumulated muscle mass inflammation, they will not feel the
needles. She said the person has to be in a relaxed state.
Patient Amanda Schooner said she
visited Bynum because she was experiencing back pain as she recovered from
surgery. Schooner described the process as relieving and a "detox from all
the meds."
"It feels like she's tapping me
on my back," Schooner said.
Some patients Bynum treats do not
return because her treatments usually fixes the problem, Bynum said. On the
other hand, several treatments may be needed, she said, especially if an injury
has gone untreated for a long time. Many of her patients are ranchers or
cowboys who she said work hard and get injured.
"One guy got kicked in the
chest by a cow," Bynum said. "It's really good for increasing blood
circulation and decreasing inflammation."
Other patients have no injuries to
treat and simply use the sessions as a proactive health practice.
Needles are not Bynum's only method
of treatment. She also performs a procedure known as cupping that uses glass
cups that give a "reverse massage" when heat is added, she said. This
procedure helps with soreness.
Another procedure called moxibustion
applies heat instead of needles to the same areas used in acupuncture. The
practice treats arthritis, injuries and obstetrics and gynecology-related
issues. Bynum said she also hopes to grow herbal medicine in Riverton.
"I can mix custom formulas for
people," she said. "It extends and reinforces the acupuncture
treatment to bolster your health."
Insurance coverage depends on the
individual's health plan. Bynum said worker's compensation usually covers
treatments and many people use their health savings accounts to cover the cost.
Bynum also said more doctors are referring patients to acupuncture practitioners.
Source of the story is here.
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