Mystic River Acupuncture, located in Groton, opened in 1989 and is approaching its 20th year providing patients with another solution in treating pain.
Owner Kathleen T. Poole, L.Ac., is licensed in Connecticut and certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Poole said Mystic River Acupuncture has operated in Groton since its move from Mystic seven years ago. The move allowed the practice more room to accommodate patients.
“Now I have a place where I can do what I want to do…it’s a perfect situation,” Poole said.
As an acupuncturist, Poole manipulates qi [energy] in a patient’s body. She explained that there are meridians, better described as different channels, which create the proper flow of qi.
“Where there is pain, there is qi stagnation,” she continued, “…and we try to move the energy to the right place.”
She said many of her clients seek acupuncture for relief of pain that hasn’t subsided after trying different techniques such as physical therapy. Others come based on recommendations from their insurance companies.
“Acupuncture can sometimes be cheaper than doctor visits,” Poole explained.
She said she has treated many symptoms such as respiratory problems, issues with allergies, aggravated pain caused by stress, and pain affiliated with other illnesses. Acupuncture can tremendously help, she continued, with menopause distress, cramping, headaches, bloating, fatigue, and back pain. Poole has found that acupuncture has kept many of her clients off medication and has helped pregnant women who don’t have medication as an option.
When approaching treatment for her clients, Poole asks many questions in relation to their pain to get a true understanding of what channel in the patient’s body the pain is located. She said, using headaches as an example, she might ask a series of questions such as where on their head does it hurt, if they’re fatigued, if there’s any pain anywhere else on their body or even if they’re on their menstrual cycle.
After the consultation, she usually uses eight to 20 needles, depending on the type of treatment.
“Muscle knots might need more needles,” she added.
Poole said the needles are placed in a tiny tube to maintain sterility. She lines up the point and pushes down, applying pressure to the needle to insert it in the skin. She explained that a muscle might jump in reaction and a client could feel aches and tingles.
“It shouldn’t feel like a needle,” she continued, adding that many of the patients describe the experience as “a moment of enlightenment.”
She said it’s rare for one to bleed from the inserted needles but in that case, she uses sterile cotton balls.
After being in the field of acupuncture for 20 years, Poole said she still looks forward to going to work in the morning, enjoying its social aspects and mental challenges.
“I love doing acupuncture,” she said with a smile. “I like to be able to find the pain and help…it’s fascinating work and there’s all types of interesting and rewarding moments, but the most important is to be able to help.”
Mystic River Acupuncture is located at 167 Broad St, in Groton. Call 860-448-6766 for more information.
Local Acupuncture
Natura Medica, 12 Roosevelt Ave., Suite 15, Mystic
860-572-9566
Stonington Natural Health Center, 107 Wilcox Road, Suite 103, Stonington
860-536-3880
Acupuncture Healing Arts Center, 1 Inchcliffe Drive, Suite D, Gales Ferry
860-908-7078
By Kristal Spence
Special to the Times
If your local acupuncture practice was not mentioned or if you would like to share your experience with acupuncture, join and comment on our Web site, www.Zip06.com.