FARMINGTON – After practicing traditional Asian medicine for the last 32 years as an acupuncturist, Katherine Andersen will retire at the end of the month as she continues to battle Parkinson’s disease.
In an emotional phone call Tuesday, Andersen described acupuncture as something that “taps into lines of energy in the body, and these lines of energy are like rivers that flow through us, and when they get blocked up, like a dam in a river, and you get that blockage, that’s usually where pain is.”
Acupuncture, she said, works to tap into the lines of energy and eliminate those blockages so the body can “access its own healing energy.”
Andersen experienced the benefits of acupuncture on herself before pursuing the medical practice, and was immediately hooked.
“I had an experience and realized that I could really help people through acupuncture,” she said.
Andersen said she’s helped patients who suffered with suicidal thoughts and that “people’s pain has a tendency to hold onto trauma.”
The needles, which are used once, are smaller than needles used at hospitals and mirror the feeling of a little pinch or mosquito bites, she said.
She said even skeptics show up at her office, calling her their last hope at pain relief. They usually have suffered spine or neck injuries or other serious chronic pain, and haven’t had any success with anything else, making them more open to trying the treatment.
“Most of the time, people see results and love acupuncture, but nothing works 100% for everybody,” she said.
Andersen started practicing in 1989 after she graduated from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine. She went to Beijing for a six-week internship that was cut short as a result of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
According to History.com, the Tiananmen Square Massacre began when students who were protesting for greater democracy in China were openly fired upon by Chinese forces killing thousands.
When she moved back to the states, Andersen moved to Durango with her husband and opened an acupuncture practice in the city. Upon realizing there were more acupuncturists in Durango than northern New Mexico, she made a move to Aztec to set up a practice where there was a need, Andersen said. That practice has been in business for 26 years, but at the end of the month, Andersen will close her doors for the last time.
“The thing is, I don’t want to quit, I have this health issue that is causing me to quit,” Andersen said. “So I am not willingly quitting – retiring.”
Andersen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago, but because of the disease’s progression, some of her mobility has been compromised.
“If you ever have the chance to travel or something, go for it. If you have your health you have almost everything,” Andersen said.
The disease affects the nervous system causing those suffering with the illness to become shaky, stiff and even lack balance and coordination and have difficulty walking, according to the National Institute on Aging from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“I have so much empathy for people with chronic diseases because sometimes there is nothing that they can do,” she said. “There’s no cure. So you got to do the best you can, so I am going to do the best that I can and enjoy life and have the best time I can have at this point and keep a positive attitude.”
mmitchell@durangoherald.com
