By Alesha Damerville

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – The concept of acupuncture is an interesting one. Essentially, you’re paying someone to stick tiny needles into your body while you lay on a massage table. The kicker? Many find it to be an incredibly deep source of relaxation 

This practice is one of the oldest forms of medicine – the first historical record of acupuncture was written around 100 BC. This treatment has been used on a variety of diseases, digestive disorders, chronic pain, tendinitis, headaches, respiratory disorders and more. 

Naturally, I had to find out what all the buzz is about. 

Before I go into my experience, a bit of background on my relationship with needles. As a child, it once took one doctor, two nurses and both of my parents to hold me down for a shot I needed. In another childhood incident, I broke out in hives from an allergic reaction and opted for a 10-day pill treatment from home instead of a shot that would have alleviated my symptoms almost immediately. I suffered in an itchy, uncomfortable state for days because my fear was so overwhelming. 

Though it’s alleviated somewhat since I reached adulthood, the fear is still there. However, I’m grown, and I conquer my fears. I donated blood for the first time two years ago, which greatly reduced my worries. When a blog post on acupuncture was suggested, my excitement outweighed my nerves. 

I met with Frank Turano Cutler at Healing Path Acupuncture to discuss my issues. It turns out acupuncture not only helps with physical pain, but with psychological issues as well. 

In his practice, Cutler addresses the body in three different sections:

-      The emotional/spiritual area 

-      Internal medicine – the harmony/health of the organs, feminine and digestive health

-      The physical area – the physical structure of your body

The physical area is easiest to address. “We like to stay here in our culture,” Cutler says. “It’s the thought of, ‘I did this one thing and now I have pain in that area or I hold all of my stress in one area.’”

The internal medicine area focuses on what we are eating and drinking. “When we strengthen our gut we feel more grounded, happier,” Cutler says. “Most of our serotonin is made in the large intestine. If the gut isn’t happy, the hormone world doesn’t function properly.”

The emotional/spiritual plane is the deepest level. “It’s like the quantum physics of your body; electromagnetic vibrations, chakras, your aura,” he says. “Those tiny, tiny particles in vibratory state is where things start.”

I spent my journey through acupuncture face down on a massage table. Cutler delicately inserted tiny needles from my head down to my legs. This was a surprisingly quick process. It was mere minutes before he excused himself and allowed the needles to do their work. 

After 30 minutes of reflection and meditation, I nearly fell asleep. When I say I was relaxed, that would be an understatement. Before I walked in, my whole body was tight due to stress. I left feeling light, airy and ready to take on the day. I will be back. 

Frank Turano Cutler at Healing Path Acupuncture uses meridian focus and traditional Chinese medicine to keep his clients at peak performance. For more information visit http://www.healingpathacu.com