Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Kane.
Susan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I became interested in wellness and natural health in the mid-70’s when there was an influx of “alternative medicine” to the United States. I studied many approaches to wellness including a vegetarian diet, macrobiotics, bodywork, herbal medicine, yoga and meditation.
I decided to study acupuncture and enrolled at the New England School of Acupuncture, the first acupuncture school in the country. After graduation I did an acupuncture internship through an international training program in Shanghai, PRC. Here I was able to develop diagnostic and clinical skills in a hospital setting. My primary teacher, Dr. Ge, specialized in pain management and I became confident in treating pain syndromes and in the application of electro acupuncture.
Upon my return from China, I joined the faculty of NESA where I taught clinical skills. I have been in private practice for thirty-three years.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started my practice in 1984 very few people or providers knew what acupuncture was. It was an unknown modality and, as a result, it was difficult to build a practice. A big part of my work was educating people and physicians about acupuncture. Gradually acupuncture gained recognition. Now, all but four states have an Acupuncture Practice Act and the World Health Organization recognizes forty conditions that are effectively addressed with acupuncture.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Acupuncture Arts East – what should we know?
I have a general practice in acupuncture which means that I address a broad range of health concerns in adults and children. In a typical week I might treat gastrointestinal disorders, headache, back pain, neck pain, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, stress disorders, arthritis, allergies, sports injuries, insomnia, and infertility. But the majority of my work is in treating pain syndromes. Acupuncture relaxes the muscles, increases the circulation of blood and tissue fluids in an area, and sends signals to the brain to initiate the release of endorphins which modulate pain. Often, I see people who still have pain after having tried everything and acupuncture can be very effective in such cases in relieving pain.
Treating infertility with acupuncture has become more popular of late. Whether a woman wants to enhance her chances of conception before beginning Assisted Reproductive Technology or she is already involved in an IVF protocol, acupuncture increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Something that is relatively new in infertility treatment is having acupuncture before and just after an embryo transfer. Studies have indicated that this can be beneficial for a successful implantation in the uterus. Research into the efficacy of acupuncture for infertility in several countries over the past decade has been very positive. There is so much joy in helping people overcome an infertility diagnosis. I love it when a patient tells me, “I’m pregnant!”
Everyone wonders if acupuncture hurts. The answer is: no! The needles are very thin and you barely feel them being inserted. You will rest on the treatment table for about 35 minutes and while the needles work they produce the most lovely relaxation effect similar to what happens when you do yoga. Most people actually fall into a light sleep. And when the treatment is over you feel energized and good.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I love my work. I think of every person in my acupuncture practice as though he or she were a member of my own family. Your health is your most precious possession and I appreciate the trust that is placed in me as a health care provider, as an acupuncturist.
Contact Info:
- Address: Merrimack Medical Center
62 Brown Street, Suite 402
Haverhill, MA 01830 - Website: www.AcupunctureArtsEast.com
- Phone: (978) 372-4771
- Email: susan@acupunctureartseast.com
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