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Acupuncture Based MISA Treatment at Community Mental Health Council

In the basement of the main building of Community Mental Health Council (CMHC), tucked away at the end of long narrow hallway is perhaps the most peaceful room in the entire three story building. If you enter this room around twelve o'clock on any weekday you are likely to see a dimly lit room and hear relaxing music mixed in with the sounds of the ocean. You would also find 5 to 12 persons (usually all MISA consumers) sitting quietly apparently in meditation. What you might not notice immediately is that each person has 3 - 5 needles in each ear. You have come into the acupuncture treatment room and the consumers are receiving their daily acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture in this program has become accepted by consumers and staff as simply another modality utilized to promote symptom reduction and the recovery process.

For chemical dependency the acupuncture has three main effects:

A reduction in withdrawal symptoms
A decrease in cravings
Stress reduction and relaxation.

The relaxation produced by the acupuncture allows the consumer to be less defensive and more receptive to counseling sessions, groups, and self-help meetings. For psychiatric symptoms the following effects are observed:

A reduction in anxiety
A reduction in symptoms of depression
Supports medication in reduction of other psychiatric symptoms
Have no side effects.

Consumers at CMHC have enjoyed acupuncture treatments for over two years, but acupuncture for chemical dependency has been utilized within the U.S. for over 25 years and acupuncture itself is thousands of years old. The Chinese are credited with the development of the form of medicine that utilizes acupuncture, but the understanding of how the life force energy moves through our bodies can be traced back to ancient Egypt.

This life force energy or Chi (pronounced chee) is the force within us that is manipulated or stimulated by the acupuncture needles. It is believed that just as the natural forces of the universe move everything in the direction of equilibrium or balance, we too as humans have a natural tendency to move toward a balanced state, mentally, physically, and spiritually. However, there are many factors that may prevent this natural process from taking place. Such factors include our external environment, experiences, our diet, the use of alcohol and drugs, our thoughts and many other things that might cause us to experience stress in one way or another.

Thousands of years ago it was discovered that the natural tendency towards a balanced state could be helped along. One of the ways to facilitate this move toward equilibrium is acupuncture. Tiny needles can be placed at certain points on the body and would have the effect of interacting with the Chi in a way that promotes the balancing or healing process. Acupuncture is one component of a whole school of Eastern Medicine based upon this idea.

In many places in the East it is the preferred and most available form of medicine. Nowadays, especially in the large cities of China and other Eastern countries you might find a mix of eastern and western medical techniques being utilized. Acupuncture and other Eastern Medical techniques are also becoming more commonplace in the United States as well. It is not uncommon for a western trained physician to also study eastern techniques or be associated in one way or another with a practitioner of Eastern Medicine including acupuncture.

Interest in acupuncture among the general population in the United States began to grow after President Nixon's visits to China in the early 1970's. During his visits one of his aides became very ill and was treated with acupuncture. The treatment was very effective and resulted in an increased openness to this exotic form of medical practice. It was also in the early 1970's when the Lincoln Hospital program (a methadone program) in the South Bronx became interested in acupuncture as a backup or substitute for methadone. It was there that the protocol used today at CMHC was developed.

The protocol used became known as the Lincoln Hospital Protocol. This protocol includes the insertion of five needles in to specific points in each ear. The treatment is provided in a group setting and the needles stay in for 40-45 minutes. An herbal tea is made available to consumers as well. The tea seems to enhance the effectiveness of the needle treatments. The formula for the tea includes chamomile, peppermint, yarrow, skullcap, hops, and catnip. This combination of herbs is reputed to calm and soothe the nervous system and tend to stimulate circulation and the elimination of waste products.

Training on how to apply the five point protocol is available through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). Arthur Pinkney, the MISA Coordinator at CMHC is a registered NADA trainer and plans to develop ongoing training at CMHC in this approach. The training consists a 70-clock hour course that includes a 40-hour practicum. At the end of the training the student is prepared to perform the five-point protocol. For more information on acupuncture, the CMHC program or training availability please contact J. Arthur Pinkney at (773) 734-4033 x193.

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