PITTSFIELD — Dennis Devereaux was working as a massage therapist when he first noticed persistent problems with his wrists.
She turned to acupuncture to relieve the pain. The treatment was done in an area not near her wrist, but it was effective.
That inspired Devereaux to take a closer look at this ancient form of healing. She has been a licensed acupuncturist for her 11 years and runs her own business.
We spoke to Devereaux, who grew up in Dalton, about her craft. She said this:
Eagle: Why did you switch from massage therapy to acupuncture?
Devereaux: When I worked as a massage therapist, I noticed in my conversations with people that there was more going on than just muscle tension. I started wanting to work on my digestion, fertility, and everything else and had a really positive experience with acupuncture.
Eagle: Can you tell us about that experience?
Devereaux: It’s both mundane in some ways and profound in others. I used my wrist too much. I used to do massages, but my wrist has always been weird for a few years now. I went to an acupuncture treatment and a needle was inserted into my ankle. I thought, “It’s not what’s bothering me,” but after that one session, it literally went away and it never came back.
Eagle: That’s amazing.
Devereaux: That was pretty crazy. I wish they were all like that.
Eagle: What first got you interested in holistic medicine?
Devereaux: We approach things in a way that is accessible to everyone, and we feel that making small changes can have a big impact. I like that.
Eagle: Can you tell us more?
Devereaux: I think as long as you can find a way to take care of yourself, whatever that means to you personally. I know that for some people, it’s not one thing. Usually it’s a group of things that seem to work. Some people go on a diet, exercise, some get massage therapists, acupuncture, talk therapy…whatever it is, you can find a way to take care of yourself and be healthy. I feel like it’s all over the world, so if I feel calm, I’ll be more calm in my interactions with family and co-workers, or when someone is honking at a red light.
Eagle: Some might argue that regular medicine can do the same thing. Many people recognize the difference between conventional medicine and holistic medicine. you?
Devereaux: Well, I think self-care is self-care. I believe that each drug has its own role. So I think it would be great if someone found a better path to help themselves through allopathic medicine.
eagle: Let’s go back to the first step. So if you have a problem with your wrist, they put a needle in your ankle. Why is it done that way and is it usually done that way in acupuncture?
Devereaux: that’s right. It can be treated locally or distally. The meridian system in Chinese medicine can be compared to a tablecloth. Grasp the corner of the tablecloth and start twisting it so that the wrinkles in the tablecloth reach all over the table. It’s the same way of thinking as pulling people from far away to bring about change.
Denise Devereaux’s own experience with acupuncture has made her a certified practitioner of this ancient Chinese healing art.
Eagle: Do you use acupuncture for any type of illness?
Devereaux: I don’t see everything the same way. Sometimes I look at it that way and make that choice, and sometimes I think about sticking a needle in the area where there is traffic congestion. I like to treat it that way too.
Eagle: What does the needle do?
Devereaux: They can concentrate Qi (pronounced Qi) into a specific area, so if that area feels cold or hollow, they can stick a needle in it to bring a kind of energy to that area, warming that area. You can make it harder or harder. You can also use needles to disperse energy. So if the area feels very hard or very hot, we put the needle in and move it in a way that softens and cools the area. Needles control Qi.
Eagle: What is ki?
Devereaux: It is defined in Mandarin as anything from life force to breathing to lightning, so it cannot be directly translated into English. We use the word energy a lot, but I think it’s a little lacking in translation. Both spellings (qi or chi) are correct. In Chinese medicine, it is written as Qi.
Eagle: Is Qi your body’s energy?
Devereaux: It is a catalyst for change, it is change. It is “Ki” that changes the seasons from summer to autumn and from winter to spring. The power of trees to absorb water and produce leaves in the spring, and the power of the cold to change those leaves in the fall. When we breathe in, we are actually taking in Qi, which is converted into energy within our bodies, allowing us to talk, move, and walk around. When we eat food, it is a type of qi that is converted into power for our bodies to exercise and do work.
Eagle: What conditions is acupuncture used for?
Devereaux: I see it as preventive primary care medicine. I feel like I can really handle anything. It can address anxiety, sleep issues, digestive issues, heartburn, constipation, urinary issues, and gynecological issues. Of course, it is very popular for people with pain. Useful for acute injuries and sprains. My back hurts and I have a headache.
Eagle: What is the most interesting disease you have treated with acupuncture?
Devereaux: Oh…wait a minute. What is the rarest disease? I mean to say that (something) suddenly starts out of nowhere. You may suddenly be told that you have a cold or a virus, even though you don’t know what happened. Sometimes there is no reason why symptoms such as nerve pain or rashes do not go away. If nothing helps, acupuncture may help. For me, it’s always interesting when that happens. I’m happy. Acupuncture is wonderful and wonderful, but it’s not a panacea, and sometimes it works like magic. For patients, that can be really great.
Eagle: What is the best and hardest part of your job?
Devereaux: The best part is the people that come through the door. It is truly a blessing and a joy to work with the people of this community. It’s great that we’re doing something that gets people excited when they come and makes them feel good when they leave, and we’re so grateful.
This shouldn’t surprise you, but the most difficult part of my job is the administrative side. I think the same is probably true for many people involved in the healing arts. We’d rather spend our time talking to people and collaborating with them than on administrative stuff.
Eagle: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become an acupuncturist?
Devereaux: Give it a try, I would say. Please take a moment to read it. There are many good books. You need to see if it’s a topic that interests you. Having treatment is a very good way to research, find out what it feels like, and talk to your acupuncturist about your experience. Think about what kind of workspace you want. Are you someone who wants to run your own business? Do you want to work in an office environment with doctors and chiropractors? There are now so many different opportunities for how you can set up your job.
