It may sound like a bad Chinese martial arts film, but the origins of acupuncture are nothing to scoff at and the practice itself actually packs quite a punch.
Just ask Cedar S. Kennedy (34), who graduated from the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine in 2006 and is proficient in Chinese medical translation.
About 10 years ago, Kennedy was working two jobs as a chef and a truck driver. In the evenings, she was a keyboard player and pianist for various bands. She developed carpal tunnel, which is common among musicians. For the next seven years, she went to an acupuncturist, quickly learning that it could treat so much more than just carpal tunnel.
After three years of schooling at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, which takes only 16 people a year, Kennedy double mastered in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and became a licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist. Moving to the Tri-Cities this past August, she opened her own practice in February, inside of B&G House of Style Salon and Wellness Spa, in historic downtown Kennewick.
For a job that requires her to stick prickly needles into people's epidermis, Kennedy has the skills and historical knowledge about acupuncture to even calm the nerves of naysayers.
"Common misconceptions about acupuncture, first and foremost, is that it hurts," Kennedy said, slightly perturbed. "It doesn't hurt. It shouldn't hurt. It's very relaxing."
The second most common misconception is that acupuncture only treats pain, she shared. What it can treat, are pain and depression, gynecological conditions, dermatological conditions, allergies, digestive problems, arthritis, sleeplessness, and more.
"The most commonly used form of acupuncture in the U.S. is for infertility," she notes.
Kennedy is quick to squash the theory that acupuncture is an example of the placebo effect.
"Acupuncture has evolved over thousands of years, and for thousands of years it was the main, if not only, medical system available to millions and millions of people," she said. "One of the classical texts written about 1,200 years ago, discusses infectious disease... Pain in that context, is a side effect of a pathogenic invasion. Americans are pretty well aware that acupuncture can treat arthritis and knee pain - but it can treat anything."
Legally, Kennedy and other licensed acupuncturists are not allowed to use acupuncture to treat cancer, acute appendicitis or seizure disorders.
"But it can," she adds with a sly grin.
First office visits run $80 and takes two hours. Return visits are then $60 and last one hour. The cost of herbs is not included, but usually run about $12-20. Though the prices may seem steep, her practice is covered under most insurance companies, so patients only pay their health insurance copay.
Kennedy explains that the first visit takes longer because she has her patients fill out an extensive form listing their health background and problems or uncomforts they have been experiencing and would like fixed.
Within minutes of talking to her about this ancient Chinese medicine, one becomes a believer and entranced in what acupuncture is used for.
However, acupuncture alone cannot cure one's ailments, which is why Kennedy started a small pharmacy full of 132 different herbs in two-quart glass jars. Among them are:
Du Zhong: Rubber tree bark - Makes people more limber.
Kun Bu: Kelp/Dried Seaweed - Helps break up lumps, such as goiters, cysts and phlegm.
Shanzhizi: Gardenia fruits - Can make a paste and apply to injured area to reduce inflamation.
Mei Gui Hua: Rosebuds - Mood enhancers, sooths menstrual cramps.
Long Gu: Dragon bones - Petrified bones of mammals. Rich in magnesium and calcium and also help people sleep.
Da Zao: Jujubes - Helps with digestion
Cicada Exoskeletons - itchy skin diseases, excema, herpes
Armed with 132 herbs, Kennedy shares this is nothing compared to her college professor, who has 1,200.
But don't think that she grows these herself. Kennedy has three different distributors: Mayway Herbs, Nuherbs and Golden Flower Chinese Herbs. All three of them only sell to licensed practitioners and do extensive macro and micro testing for fungicides, heavy metals and impurities.
"I realize it takes a leap of faith to try it, but it's often a great place to start exploring your own health care," she said. "It's less invasive, and I personally would recommend it if you are even curious to investigate it and see if it's the right path for you."
If you're interested in Living Water Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, you can contact Cedar S. Kennedy at:
123 W. 1st Ave.
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509)460-1286
www.LivingWaterAcupuncture.com
