needle. Did you wince a little when you read those words? When we think of needles, we often think of vaccines, blood draws, and root canals. However, in acupuncture, needles are thought to help us in countless ways. According to kripalu.com and the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that dates back thousands of years and is based on the theory of Qi, or energy that flows through the body along meridians (pathways within the body). A trained acupuncturist focuses on acupuncture points along the meridians to balance Qi and promote healing. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of problems, including arthritis, depression, addiction, migraines, lower back pain, and tendonitis.
Jody Treloar is the owner of Drift Acupuncture in Vineyard Haven, and her interest in acupuncture came from her curiosity. “From an early age, I was deeply fascinated by the esoteric and mysteries of life,” Treloar said. “I always wanted to know, ‘Why?’ I also had a deep passion for nature. My undergraduate degree was in marine biology, and I ended up at the Boston I ended up working in the research department at Aquarium England. However, when it came time to consider graduate school, I felt that I had reached the field of science and was ready to move on from there. I chose acupuncture not on a whim, but as an evolution of what I was already doing with my mind, time, and heart: exploring the mysteries of life. Now biology, the ocean. , it will be done not through whales, but through chi, the energy that flows within each of us.”
Treloar studied at Five Element Acupuncture Academy in Gainesville, Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in acupuncture. She graduated in her 2016 year and moved to the Vineyard with her husband Eric and her dog Klaus. Treloar is currently in her seventh year of qualifying as an acupuncturist.
“Simply put, acupuncture brings body, mind and spirit into harmony,” says Treloar. “The idea is that if these things are balanced, health and well-being will be brought about throughout the system. By reading the patient’s pulse and using the information gained from properly understanding the state of Qi, we can achieve balance. You can choose the acupuncture points that encourage you. Science has yet to catch up with exactly what Qi is or how this ancient medicine works, but as a practitioner, I can see how acupuncture works in real time. I’ve seen it work wonders in reducing illness in patients. They always seem to feel better after treatment…including me!”
According to the National University of Health Sciences and the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture is becoming increasingly common throughout mainstream medicine in the United States and gaining acceptance from hospitals, the federal government, and insurance companies. More than 10 million acupuncture treatments are performed in the United States each year. Acupuncture’s growing popularity may be due in part to its pain-relieving effects, as well as the fact that scientific studies are beginning to prove its effectiveness.
“Over the years, I have had so many interesting and positive results for my clients. The most exciting example is when a woman who was trying to get pregnant suddenly seems to miraculously become pregnant. “I treated women before their IVF sessions, and each resulted in a healthy pregnancy,” Treloar said. “Also, as a side note, with an acupuncturist’s skilled pulsometer, you can feel when you’re pregnant. This literally happened to another patient last month. It’s so interesting, humbling, and inspiring. That’s what it is.”
There are several acupuncturists on the island who work with local residents. Ty Romijn of Vineyard Complementary Medicine (VCM) in Edgartown is a licensed acupuncturist, certified zero balancer, and tai chi instructor. What exactly are Zero Balance, Tai Chi, and Qigong? According to VCM’s website, Zero His Balancing is a hands-on mind-body therapy that releases skeletal tension for both symptom relief and movement enhancement. Tai Chi and Qigong are meditative movements that utilize both the mind and body to promote healing and integration.
Romijn has been practicing acupuncture since 2001. He goes into a healing state and can maintain that presence throughout the day,” Romijn said. “I love caring for communities and feel like I have the heartbeat of humanity at my fingertips. I work with both energy and structure in the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of body, mind and spirit. We are passionate about supporting this up-and-coming global health system that we respect.”
It’s human nature to avoid pain, so the thought of being pricked by a needle can be frightening. However, acupuncture is not particularly painful. You probably won’t feel much at all. When this happens, there will be a slight pain followed by a warm sensation. The needles remain in your body for 10 to 30 minutes.
“In many cases, the feeling when a needle penetrates the skin is the very drug that activates our potential. Sensation is information that guides us toward health,” Romijn said. “Acupuncture supports the energy of harmonizing the client’s inner and outer experiences. It moves stagnant energy and optimizes health potential.”
Since each patient’s symptoms are different, the number of treatments required will also vary. Symptom relief may be immediate or may take some time, depending on the situation. Many acupuncturists recommend weekly visits for 5 to 10 weeks. Just as our DNA is made up of chemical building blocks, acupuncture builds on itself, so over time a more balanced state becomes the norm.
Learn more drift acupuncture and Jodie Treloar, please visit the following website: driftacupuncture.com.More information about Ty Romijn and Complementary medicine in the vineyard can be found at vcmpt.com. There are several other acupuncturists on the island. Vineyard Sound Acupuncture Center,(acupuncture.vineyardsound.com), Emily Tannhauser Acupuncture, (emilythannhauser.com), and vineyard acupuncture (vineyardacupuncture.com).
