‘Colon-aid’ the Yeovil District Bowel Cancer Support Group
Minutes of the 18th Colorectal Cancer Patient Support Group held on Friday 25 January 2008 at St Margaret’s in Yeovil
Present
15 members attended.
Apologies
6 members offered their apologies.
Welcome
15 members attended.
Apologies
6 members offered their apologies.
Welcome
Due to a delayed start it was decided to hand over the meeting straight away to our guest speaker Alison Hodgson a physiotherapist at St Margaret’s Hospice who has been helping Debra to deal with continuing peripheral neuropathy.
Guest Speaker
Alison briefly outlined her work with Debra in relation to peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can present as pain, numbness, and tingling or affect dextrous movements. Neuropathy could arise as a result of chemotherapy or disc problems.
Her talk covered the use of acupuncture in pain relief and she asked if members had personal experience of acupuncture. Four members had had acupuncture for pain relief and one to successfully stop smoking.
The following notes provide an outline of her talk.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine in use for over 3000 years. The first needles were made of stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. Modern needles are now usually made of very fine stainless steel. Acupuncture is rooted in the Daoist philosophy of change, growth, balance and harmony, and the principles of natural law and the movements of life - yin and yang.
Alison brought along a model of a male figure marked with meridian lines and acupuncture points, the model and a number of different acupuncture needles were passed around the group for examination.
The Western approach believes that the needles stimulate the nerves to signal the brain to release endorphins the body’s natural defence against pain.
Most people do not experience any sensation when the needles are inserted because the needles are so fine. A phenomenon referred to as “TEHCHI” occurs when the needle inserted at an acupuncture point is twisted and turned. This sensation is felt as mild to moderate heaviness or tingling.
During her talk Alison demonstrated the insertion of various needles using herself as the subject. It would not be ethical for her to randomly insert needles into people without proper assessment of their history and condition.
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Her talk covered the use of acupuncture in pain relief and she asked if members had personal experience of acupuncture. Four members had had acupuncture for pain relief and one to successfully stop smoking.
The following notes provide an outline of her talk.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine in use for over 3000 years. The first needles were made of stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. Modern needles are now usually made of very fine stainless steel. Acupuncture is rooted in the Daoist philosophy of change, growth, balance and harmony, and the principles of natural law and the movements of life -
The Western approach believes that the needles stimulate the nerves to signal the brain to release endorphins the body’s natural defence against pain.
Most people do not experience any sensation when the needles are inserted because the needles are so fine. A phenomenon referred to as “TEHCHI” occurs when the needle inserted at an acupuncture point is twisted and turned. This sensation is felt as mild to moderate heaviness or tingling.
During her talk Alison demonstrated the insertion of various needles using herself as the subject. It would not be ethical for her to randomly insert needles into people without proper assessment of their history and condition.
Back Home Next Page