Poke against pain

Acupuncturist doesn’t know why
it works, but is certain it does

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Annie Duguay

Age: 28

Occupation: Acupuncturist

Bio: Not so long ago, this truly delightful Rosemount resident was “overstressed and overworked,” labouring as a graphic designer in the noble field of advertising. Informed about acupuncture by, of all people, her osteopath, Annie was immediately intrigued by the idea but so “terrified” about becoming a human pincushion, it took her almost two years before finally seeking treatments. Then, one evening, while walking home after a particularly stressful day of work, she noticed a sign on somebody’s door reading “acupuncture,” and decided right then and there it was time she finally take the plunge. “And I immediately fell in love with it. I was absolutely blown away, I left that place and went outside and everything was suddenly better, the sky was bluer and I very clearly recognized there were better things I could be doing with my life.” Reading everything she could on the subject “because I just couldn’t understand how 15 needles in my body could possibly make me feel this way,” Annie eventually went to study acupuncture at CEGEP Rosemont for three years and today operates her own practice out of 1475 St-Joseph E. #A.

The most persistent misconception people have about acupuncture: That it hurts like hell. “It doesn’t. At worst, it might feel like a mosquito bite, but even that’s rare. Most first time patients are surprised at how painless it is. Some people even sleep through sessions.”

How could jabbing a series of giant needles into somebody possibly not be painful? “Because acupuncture needles are only about the size of a hair in diameter. And they’re inserted into muscle, not veins, so we’re neither putting anything into the body nor taking anything away, like blood.”

One reason why acupuncture needles tend to be inserted in easy-to-get-at places like legs, arms and ankles: Because the ancient Chinese who figured acupuncture out were prudes who didn’t like undressing in front of others any more than they absolutely had to.

Where acupuncture is alleged to be most effective: “To varying degrees, it’s good for almost anything. But especially so for pain, irregular menstruation, hormone imbalances, menopause, stress, fatigue, emotional issues, muscle injuries, back pain, asthma, allergies, headaches. Really, it’s endless.”

Is there much in the way of scientific explanation as to how acupuncture actually works? No, there isn’t—only several millennia of anecdotal evidence. “Right now, acupuncture is best understood via science with respect to pain management, but for almost everything else, they’re still trying to figure it out. When they do clinical studies, they see that it works, they just haven’t been able to figure out why yet.”

Should people be getting acupuncture treatments just because it’s fun and feels good? “Sure, because acupuncture addresses imbalances and works with Chi, your vital energy. You always feel more energetic and relaxed after sessions. I recommend regular sessions four times a year, with the change of seasons.”

As with other recipes for relaxation (read: drugs), can a person develop a tolerance to acupuncture? “No, I don’t believe so.”

What a session with Annie will run you: $60. Call (514) 475-9981 to set one up.

Last book read: L’Élégance du hérisson, by Muriel Barbery.

Musical preferences: Eleni Mandell, Nina Hagen, Lykke Li.

Words of wisdom: “If you don’t change directions, you may end up where you are heading.”

Comments: dimwit@hdot.net