Acupuncture News
News Archive
10-24-02
Local - WPBF TheWPBFChannel.com
Lupus, a disease that affects 1.5 million Americans and is a disease for which there is no known cure.
Now health officials say acupuncture could hold the key to helping patients.
Acupuncture physician Joan Tirro (pictured, right) said she believes eastern medicine can ease symptoms of debilitating diseases like lupus. Her strategy is to use needles and herbal remedies to "balance" the body.
"I don't treat the diagnoses, I don't treat the symptom," Tirro said. "I treat why the body is off-balance."
Patient Debra Faucher suffers from discoid lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own good skin cells. The result is "flare-ups," legions on the skin, extreme swelling of joints, and fatigue.
"Lupus makes you so tired," Faucher said. "So tired that you have to think if it's worth it to get up and get that glass of water. Or can you really go without it?"
Faucher was tired of being the guinea pig for new prescription drugs; their side effects made her feel even worse. In desperate need for an alternative, she turned to acupuncture and herbal medicine. After only a few weeks, she said she couldn't believe the difference.
"I was totally amazed," Faucher said. "She got me out of the flare-up. I go to her once a month. For the first time, I felt like she focused on me as an individual, not as a guinea pig. I would recommend it highly."
Tirro begins by assessing what areas of the body are out of balance. She prepares the needles, cleans the area, and with one quick poke, she punctures the skin. She is careful to bypass any pain receptors.
Tirro then massages herbal oils into Faucher's head, increasing circulation and relieving neck pain.
"I've seen incredible changes in Debbie," Tirro said. "No. 1, I've seen her skin totally clear up, she's radiant."
