I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of eleven and have spent the last nine years
trying to control the consequences of an unpredictable chronic disease. After a seemingly endless struggle with prescription medications, acupuncture has restored my faith in the
healing power of the power of the human body and has challenged me to question the effectiveness of traditional Western Medicine.
In all honesty, Acupuncture was a last resort for me. When I first came to see Dr. Tad, I was in the midst of a year-long flare up. I was already swallowing twenty-three pills a day and my
gastroenterologist was pushing for potent intravenous drugs. A freshman in college, I was forced to spend most of my time in my dorm room since even walking to class brought about
excruciating stomach aches. I lost an alarming amount of weight since I was unable to eat much food and relied on nutritional supplements. I used a heating pad on my stomach for
awhile, but because of the duration and intensity of the heat, I needed to stop because of scarring. I also experimented with
techniques such as dietary adjustments, meditation and self hypnosis; however the effects were both weak and short-lived.
The only relief that I could find was to take two Tylenol PMs and sleep through the pain. I felt like I was missing out on my entire young life.
My family and I decided to turn to acupuncture when there was nowhere else to turn except for the most severe treatment
options. We were initially wary about the cost of the treatments, but have found that acupuncture is only a mere fraction of
the medications, doctors' appointments, hospitalizations and even mileage from commuting to Boston. After all, I had been on
prescriptions since my diagnosis and I was not doing any better. I came to acupuncture believing that I would be a "sick patient" for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, by the time that I had found Dr. Tad, my Crohn's disease was already at a position that required surgery. I truly
believe that acupuncture played a major role in my resiliency following surgery. A mere two weeks after the procedure, I was able to resume classes and return to college full time.
After nine years of feeling trapped, I feel that acupuncture has given me a chance to live a life that I never imagined possible.
When I think back to the condition that I was in a mere year ago, the transformation is unbelievable. I have not experienced a
stomach ache since October – an even that used to be a daily occurrence (often up to fifteen times a day) since before I can
remember. For the first time in nine years, I am not on any medications and feel as if my body has been purified of lingering
toxins. I can eat whatever food I want without having to stop because of pain. I have gained all my lost weight back and am
able to exercise, as well. My SED rate (which measures the amount of infection that the body is fighting off) has dropped from 83 to 5 in a matter of months.
When I reflect back on the percentage of my teenage years that were spent in hospitals, doctor's offices, sick in bed, or
commuting to the next medical procedure, I realize how ineffective treatment by prescription medication can be. I am endlessly
grateful for the peace that acupuncture has brought to my life and I am living each day to the fullest as a result. My battle with
Crohn's disease will continue to rage on for the rest of my life, but with acupuncture fighting on my side, I feel that the battle is already won.
— Shannon Witter, Rehoboth, MA
Crohn's Disease