CASE STUDY # 6 A Need for Needles Acupuncture—Does it Really Work? Janet sat in her car in the driveway of her mother’s

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CASE STUDY # 6
A Need for Needles
Acupuncture—Does it Really Work?
Janet sat in her car in the driveway of her mother’s house and
eyed the front yard, which was completely taken over by a vegetable
garden. It was possible that somewhere in there her mother was
hidden, picking over her prized vegetables. Her mother was a bit
eccentric. Actually, the word crazy sometimes came to Janet’s mind
when considering her mother. But she never said it out loud. This
was her mother after all.
Janet took a deep breath and then grabbed the door handle. It
was time for another lunch with her mother, a meal that would
inevitably turn into an argument, as they always did. Audrey
greeted her daughter at the door even before Janet had a chance to
knock. “Why, hello, darling.” Janet was carefully unhooking a
tomato vine from her foot before her mother noticed. She looked up
and greeted her with a sense of apprehension. “Hello, Mother.” “Oh,
Janet, it’s so nice to see you. Isn’t it just a gorgeous day
today?” Her mother was bubbling over with her usual happiness and
high spirits.
“It’s hot,” Janet grumbled, “too hot.” “Well, come on in. I’ve
just put together a delicious salad for lunch.” Salad again, Janet
thought to herself. She was glad she had stopped at McDonalds on
the way over. She forced a smile and followed her mother into the
house.
Lunch went well, until Audrey decided she couldn’t hold her idea
back any longer. “I was reading that magazine you got me the other
day.” “Oh, really,” replied Janet, pleased. She had gotten her
mother a subscription to Time magazine for Christmas.
It was her attempt to get her mother on the same track as the
rest of the world, or at least aware of what was happening. She
knew her mother used them as coasters on the coffee table more than
anything else. “Yes, and I came across this really interesting
article. It was on acupuncture.”
Janet sighed. Her hopes evaporated. Of course, the only thing to
interest her mother was an article on some sort of nonsense. “As I
was reading it, it began to make a lot of sense. It mentioned that
arthritis was one of the things that it helped. And seeing how
you’re always telling me that arthritis is why my wrists bother me,
I thought it might be helpful. My wrists have been acting up a
little. I couldn’t garden the other day. My poor tomato plants are
going to wither away in the sun if I don’t get to them soon.”
“Mom, you don’t want acupuncture. The whole thing is ridiculous.
It’s a big scam. There is no way that putting needles in your body
is going to stop your pain. What you need is to see a doctor.”
Janet’s frustration level was quickly rising. “I had a feeling you
would say that,” Audrey sighed. “So I think you should read the
article.” She handed her daughter the magazine. “No, Mom,” Janet
said pushing it away.
Janet knew she had the final say in this situation. After all,
she worked for her mother’s insurance agency and had pulled some
strings to get her mother covered. She felt strongly that she had a
say in what treatment her mother had. Audrey had reluctantly
accepted the insurance, knowing that Janet would have some control
over her life. She solved the problem simply. She avoided going to
doctors.
“Mom, I really think you should go to a doctor about your
arthritis. If you don’t, it will just get worse. This could become
serious. I’m sure there are tons of different medicines you could
choose from to help the pain,” Janet preached. It was a speech she
had given many times before, yet as before it got nowhere with her
mother. “Janet—don’t start that again. You know that I’m not
putting any drugs into my body, especially when there’s no good
reason.” “No good reason? Mom you’re in pain,” Janet responded with
a touch of sympathy entering her voice.
Audrey sighed. She looked down and realized she had been
massaging her wrist the whole time. She knew she was being
difficult. Her daughter was right, at least about the pain.
“Ok—what if we compromise,” Audrey began. “What if we talk to a
doctor about acupuncture? Will you be convinced to let me try the
treatment if you hear from a doctor that it is beneficial?” “Fine,”
Janet replied. She knew no sensible doctor would agree to stick
needles into her mother to get rid of her pain. The whole thing was
ludicrous.
It was two weeks later and Janet and her mother were on their
way to see a doctor. Audrey had already jumped out of the car and
had headed into the doctor’s office. Janet dragged herself out and
followed. They sat in the waiting room for what seemed like hours.
Janet, in her business suit, was hiding behind the New York Times,
trying not to imagine what people were thinking of her mother. At
least her mother had taken off her apron, but she was still in
gardening clothes, straw hat resting in her lap. The nurse had
seemed amused when she collected the initial data. She now
reappeared.
“Audrey Baker, you can come in now.” Janet was glad to escape
the eyes of everyone in the waiting room and followed her mother
into the doctor’s office.
Moments later, Dr. Ramirez walked in as they were getting
settled. “Hello, how are you two doing today?” Dr. Ramirez asked.
“Great, thank…” Janet began. “Just wonderful,” Audrey interrupted.
“The reason why we’re here today is that my daughter can’t seem to
grasp the concept of acupuncture. I have some pain in my wrists,
and I understand it can help that. So, I was wondering if you could
just take a couple minutes to explain it to her.”
Janet scowled, but before she could say anything, the doctor
answered.
“What kind of pain do you have?” “Oh, nothing serious,” Audrey
said. “I’m just getting old and my bones aren’t what they used to
be. When I’m pulling weeds they tend to get a little sore.” “Oh,
you’re a gardener,” Dr. Ramirez said, pleased. “You know, I have a
garden of my own.” “Really!” said Audrey. “Flowers or vegetables?”
“Both, actually.”
“OK,” Janet interrupted. “I’m sorry to be rude, but I am on a
tight schedule. Can you just tell my mother that acupuncture will
not work on her pain, so that we can set up a suitable treatment?”
“I see,” Dr. Ramirez said.
He could see how this was going. He looked at Audrey’s chart and
paused as he thought how to most effectively approach this
case.
Your Task:
Many healthcare treatments today, are directed by the
findings of “evidence-based medicine”. Your task is to approach
this case considering the pros and cons of acupuncture treatment,
and consult with Dr. Ramirez on what you find and offer your
suggestions on how to best proceed with Audrey and
Janet.
Name:
__________________________________
Date:____________
Case Study #6:
From your readings answer the following (7)
questions.