NSHC Board Member, Matilda Hardy, was treated with acupuncture in Shaktoolik’s new clinic just before the grand opening. Photo by Reba Lean.
Dr. Kulka strategically placed needles in Hardy’s hand, arm, and ear to relieve neck pain. Photo by Reba Lean.
Acupuncture Treatments Come to NSHC
Led by Primary Care Medical Director, Dr. Gary Kulka, NSHC began offering acupuncture treatments in May of this year.
Dr. Kulka explained there are different types of acupuncture: longer needles in different parts of the body, small needles in the ear, and even electro-acupuncture, in which electricity runs through the needles to deliver the beneficial effects.
“It doesn’t involve the use of medicines, which can have some serious side effects,” said Kulka, when explaining the benefits of acupuncture. “It’s relatively safe – there is only a small chance of side effects, which are usually transient – some patients have a little bit of pain or a little bit of nausea, but then it goes away.”
Acupuncture can be effective for the following diagnoses: chronic low back pain, chronic neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, smoking cessation, headache, TMJ, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and anxiety.
Dr. Kulka described medical acupuncture as a comprehensive treatment that can be used as an alternative to taking medicines.
In order to make appointments, patients should have an established diagnosis and be experiencing chronic or acute pain.
