Dr. Deborah Rothman

quick fix noun

  1. an easy remedy or solution, especially a temporary one which fails to address underlying problems.
  2. an expedient usually temporary or inadequate solution to a problem

(Definition from Oxford Languages)

As noted above, the simple definition of a “quick fix,” has the word “temporary” in it. Another definition uses the word “inadequate.” We are all seeking a “quick fix.” It is completely understandable. Everyone is so busy with day-to-day life that they want to see immediate results. This holds true in matters of lifestyle and family, and even more so when it comes to health concerns. It is essential to be able to distinguish between a true lasting remedy and one that seems like a fix but is merely a temporary or inadequate solution that is sure to flip back over time. If the fix is only temporary and inadequate, has anything actually been remedied?

As a multitudinous amount of people can attest, having experienced the ups and downs of life, a significant amount of effort and work is required to rise above various challenging situations. When there is a real problem that one is dealing with, the cure will invariably involve substantive time and earnest effort. When it comes to medical and health challenges, this holds true even more. Our bodies begin by whispering to us to take care of an issue. Over time, if it is ignored, our bodies start to scream until we have no choice but to pay attention and seek medical care. Along the way, you may have taken measures to seek a quick resolution. Popping an Advil as frequently as a child pops a gummy bear is not a solution. As pain syndromes advance, many people reach for opioids for pain relief. While it offers quick relief, it does not get to the root of the issue. Moreover, it comes with side effects that can be harmful, addictive, and even deadly. Yes, it takes more effort to resolve the issue entirely and in a natural way, but this is what we refer to as true healing. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom emotionally, or a devastating illness, for us to realize that we need to seek medical help. Alternative medicine, acupuncture specifically, can help achieve the mind–body connection when Advil is not cutting it and fails to get us through life.

We must understand that despite the effort and time we need to invest in dealing with our health, it is not only a wonderful investment but also a necessary one. If someone were to lay out the conclusion of both paths for you: the superficial and the successful, and you realized with clarity the result of each, you would easily take the successful. An endless episode of just swallowing pills and praying the issue goes away vs. dedication, a little time and effort, for two months or so, and then the issue is gone, and you have never felt better.

When laid out like this, it is clear to see it is a no-brainer. It is a shame that many of us lack the clarity of recognizing how simple this is when faced with the same issues with our health. In my practice, I enjoy patients reaping the benefits even as they proclaim how they are sorry they waited so long to try acupuncture. Sometimes they can feel the changes even after the initial treatment. However, I educate my patients that we are looking for true healing, not just a quick fix. I ask them to be patient as their body accepts the healing and begins to make the changes. Acupuncture builds on itself, and thus true healing can be experienced when you have had your proper “dosage” of acupuncture.

Some of the most common health issues and illnesses I treat daily are examples of issues that began with subtle hints that escalated after being ignored. Stress and anxiety are something I successfully treat every day. Sometimes it can start at an early age. Sometimes it can be induced by a traumatic event. Other times it can be a response to tension going on in the world around us. In every case, it is essential to treat the individual according to his or her symptoms to find the underlying cause. When left untreated, it can escalate to depression and to an unhealthy level of simply not being able to manage the stress. Acupuncture not only helps relieve the stress momentarily but works to find the underlying cause of it, to change your baseline entirely. With time, it will allow you to manage even the most difficult stress-producing situations with grace.

There are many distinct types of chronic headaches. There are also many different types of medications available over the counter. Some headaches are more debilitating than others, and some medications have more side effects than others. Acupuncture is successful in resolving the headaches and ensuring that they do not return. The beauty is that every person is treated as an individual and each headache is not the same. There are specific points for specific types of headaches. Getting to the root of the issue to stop it is the key. Not having to live in fear of returning headaches is the goal.

Joint pain is quite common, and while it may be reactive to the weather, it may also come from excessive wear and tear. Understanding the cause is essential in determining the proper course of treatment with acupuncture. The specific points can help alleviate inflammation, ameliorate the pain, and allow the individual to live life pain-free. While back pain can be chronic, it can also be episodic in nature. Often when people are under stress, they can throw out their back. In a situation like this it is again important to understand the root of the back pain as well as resolving the stress.

Digestive issues can be very disruptive to your daily routine. Myriads of individuals suffer from bouts of gas and bloating. Bloating and distention can be an awful feeling. Others vacillate between constipation and diarrhea. Digestive issues are painful, may be embarrassing, and can undermine your entire day. Acupuncture works to resolve the symptoms of discomfort entirely by once again getting to the root cause of the imbalance in your body.

When dealing with issues that are egregious and chronic, the issue can be accompanied by all sorts of subsidiary concerns that have become attached to the primary one. Of course, it may take a strong, concerted effort to cure, and not simply a superficial, quick-fix magic spell. Life is not as magical as a Harry Potter book. We need to deal with problems at the root, as opposed to simply postponing the pain until the next pill. Book your acupuncture session today, and I will show you how to cure something for real. n

 

Dr. Deborah Rothman is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as a Diplomate of Acupuncture. She is in private practice and runs a wellness center in Lawrence, offering a complete solution for all your health and wellness needs. Comments and questions are welcome. She can be reached at 516-203-4500 or Deborah@AcuZen.com. Please visit AcuZen.com and follow AcuZen Wellness Center on Facebook and Instagram.

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