My first patient...Bear and the miracle of acupuncture

It was a cool November day in Rhode Island.  Most of the colorful leaves were under foot and it was cold enough at night for a thin layer of ice to form, making it easy to slip.   It was a usual busy Monday with all the animals that had been sick over the weekend trying to get in for an appointment.  In the back, in a large cage, lay a large 120 pound, 10 year old Akita, Bear.  His ice blue eyes looked up as I peered in on him, he had been whining and pawing at the cage.  When you opened it he pulled himself out by his front feet dragging his back end.  He was agitated at his situation and despite pain medication and anti-inflammatories he remained restless.  He was still a beautiful boy with a full bodied whitish grey coat, two soft velvety ears at attention, but his eyes searching, worried at his current situation. He had slipped and ruptured a disk. 

Disks are soft cushions that are in between every vertebrae with age or with injury they can bulge or rupture putting pressure on the spinal cord and causing inflammation.  This inflammation prevents messages from the brain to communicate with the rest of the body.  These messages convey sensation, motor and pain.  Depending on where the disk ruptures, depends on the loss of function. 

Bears owners were given two options due his declining condition cage rest or surgery.  Surgery held the best prognosis.  The owners did not have the money for an MRI and surgery at the specialty hospital.  I watched and treated Bear over the next two days and saw him decline.  The owners decided that since he had made no improvements and was getting worse that they would euthanize him.

I was a new graduate, I had only been working in the clinic for a few months.  I had gone to Beijing to do a clinical rotation in acupuncture but had not used it.  I was green in many ways, but what I lacked in experience I made up with determination.  The thought of putting this dog to sleep chilled me.  I do not take euthanasia lightly, sometimes it is needed, but I believe in going above and beyond.  Trying everything first.  I had a pile of books and journal articles in front of me reading everything I could.  Then I remember my acupuncture training.

The clients had arrived to say goodbye. 

“Excuse me,” I said looking up at the owner towering above me, he was over 6 feet with broad shoulders.  “There is one thing we could try, it could save his life.”

  I had earlier approached the chief of staff and discussed this option.  “Sure he said, there is nothing to lose”

“We could try acupuncture, I know that it might be a shot in the dark, but it’s a chance and at this point we have no other options. Acupuncture can increase blood flow to the injured area helping it heal, it can reduce inflammation, and stimulate nerve conductance.,” I explained to Bear’s owners

“It sounds like voodoo to me,” said bears owner.

“Please let me try.  He will be my first patient.  Iwont charge you.  Give him a chance.” I pleaded with them to give Bear a second chance.

He paused looking at me, looking at Bear.  Bear stared up at him.  The owner eyes were wet.

“Ok, what do we have to lose.  Go ahead do your voodoo” The owner laughed, trying to lighten the somber mood.  

I stayed after work, and we sat in the large exam room.  I laid out a big comforter and we placed Bear on it.  He was relaxed and calm and allowed me to place all the needles.  In the room with Bear and I, were his owners and his friend an American Eskimo that sat by him during his treatment.  

His owners carried him out to their car planning on returning in two day.  The next morning when I arrived at work there was a message from Bear’s owners.

He had walked 30 minutes after the first treatment.  They were amazed and excited.  He was still weak on his feet when I saw him again, but was able to stand and move his feet forward.  I treated Bear six times.  It is two years later and still hear that he is alive and well walking on all fours.

I am thankful for my first experience.  This miracle encouraged me to pursue further training and to eventually start my own holistic practice.  I have been able to witness the amazing healing powers of acupuncture and have been able to save lives that western medicine has failed.