March 7, 2005

Many believe Acupuncture cures what ails you

‘Through tranquility comes strength’

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

Acupuncture is no longer the medical method of choice just for new-agers seeking to find their “Chi.” Acupuncture is slowly gaining acceptance in mainstream American health care as physicians see the benefits of Eastern medicine.

Dr. Quli Zhou is a 43-year-old mother of four who has built a successful acupuncture practice on Saratoga Avenue. Growing up in China her parents only took her to Eastern medical practitioners and she has only had one shot in her life.

Practitioners claim acupuncture and other Eastern medical methods such as acupressure and herbal medicine can help individuals ward off, and in some cases fight, illness caused by stress, allergies, arthritis, infertility, weight issues and even help alleviate chronic illnesses like cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Quli Zhou has been practicing out of her office in the “Golden Triangle” area of Saratoga Avenue, where Campbell, Saratoga and San Jose come together, for the past five years and enjoys a loyal following of satisfied clients.

Marsha Smith recently sold her “Mio Vicino’s” restaurant in downtown Campbell after a downturn in the economy. She also was dealing with the devastating loss of her home and all of its contents in a fire. Needless to say she was stressed out. She turned to acupuncture to help her deal with the stress.

“Now I’m able to make decisions,” she says. “The treatments get you back in balance. I like the garden hose analogy: you’re trying to water your garden but there’s a kink in your hose no matter what you do and acupuncture helps you unblock your energy.

“It doesn’t happen overnight but if you can commit to a 8 – 12 week course of treatment you can definitely deal with your health or emotional issues. I like that Eastern medicine is preventative medicine whereas Western medicine mainly gives you a pill or surgery after you are already sick.”

Dr. Zhou is a licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine doctor who graduated with a master’s degree in 1983 from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She worked as a doctor in the teaching hospital for 15 years where she gained extensive experience. She is also certified in Chinese Herb-ology and Ac-upuncture by the National Com-mission for the Certification of Acupuncturists in Washington, D.C.

She is an intense, petite woman with an immense amount of drive and energy. She often visits local schools and workout establishments to spread the word about Eastern medicine.

That is how Phil Romer found out about Dr. Zhou. His wife teaches at St. Lawrence Academy and decided to try acupuncture on her ailing elbow after she heard Dr. Zhou’s lecture.

“She had a problem with her elbow, and she couldn’t completely extend it. She was getting good relief after just two visits. And, she finds it stress relieving and is at peace when she leaves,” says Romer.

A patient receives Vibration Light Beauty Therapy at the Eternal Health Acupuncture Center. You may have seen it featured on TV shows touted as a non-surgical facelift.

The 49-year-old former Cisco executive retired five years ago due to job stress and to spend more time with his family. A year later he suffered a massive heart attack and has since lost 40 pounds and is “working on my health”.

He comes to Dr. Zhou’s office for acupuncture treatments for a bad back and to relieve stress.

A new aspect of Eastern medicine is a treatment to help women look young again called Vibration Light Beauty Therapy. The therapy is touted on TV shows like the “Today” Show as a non-surgical facelift. Dr. Zhou recently started giving the treatments, which are meant to stimulate natural collagen and elastin production, reduce puffiness and sagging and smooth wrinkles.

A woman visiting Dr. Zhou for Vibration Beauty Light Therapy recently came because a friend of hers told her she loved the results more than botox treatments.

“I trust Dr. Zhou because she cleared up my eczema,” says the woman shown in the pictures on this page. “I realize that you don’t get in bad health overnight so you don’t fix your bad health overnight. It takes time and financial commitment but it’s worth it. Dr. Zhou really seems to know what she’s doing. My last acupuncturist didn’t seem as educated. I’m hoping that these treatments will help me look younger.”

Jean Smith, of Saratoga, comes to see Dr. Zhou for acupuncture for her carpel tunnel and arthritis in her wrists and also for the Vibration Light Beauty Therapy. “It’s worth a try since the [Western medical] doctor wants to do surgery on my wrists,” said the youthful looking 57-year-old.

Dr. Zhou is currently treating a middle-aged man who is fighting prostrate cancer. She encourages him to stay involved with his Western medical doctor and to continue the chemotherapy treatments. “There is only so much Eastern medicine can do once a cancer has metastasized,” she says. “But we can help patients deal with the symptoms.”

She has a healthy respect for Western medicine but points to literature describing the differences in the philosophies.

“Usually Western medicine intervenes only after a crisis arises…whereas Chinese medicine anticipates problems by correcting depletion or stagnation at earlier stages so that greater problems later on are avoided.”

Nancy Whitney, a Campbell marketing executive, sought out the treatments after a serious injury to her neck in an auto accident. She swears by the acupuncture treatments that she says make her feel 10 years younger. “I completely forget what stress feels like and people say I look healthier,” she says. “I definitely feel better.”

Next month the Times will introduce a series of articles by Dr. Quli Zhou on the benefits of Eastern medicine. She will explore issues like infertility, weight loss, arthritis, non-surgical weight loss and stress. If you have a question for Dr. Zhou or for the column send an e-mail to doctor@myeternalhealth.com.

The Eternal Health Acupuncture Center is located at 1848 Saratoga Ave., Sarotoga. The phone number is 379-6638 and the Web site is www.myeternalhealth.com There will be a free workshop on Vibration Light Beauty Therapy on Saturday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and another free workshop on stress management on Tuesday, March 22 from 6:30 to 8:15. Food will be provided.