Doug Curlee | Editor en general

Guy Page is a big believer in acupuncture.

The ancient Asian medicine helped him through some rough times earlier in life.

It helped keep him leveled out when booze, drugs and something like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) threatened to bring him low.

Which is why Page is about to open an acupuncture clinic in Mission Valley, at 3505 Camino Del Rio South. Opening day is June 1.

“I know what good it has done for me, and I know what good it can do others,” he said.

Page is especially interested in acupuncture and what it can do for military veterans fighting the PTSD battle. (He’s ex-Air Force). The clinic, to be called The Inn Spot Community Acupuncture Center will be open six days a week, but closed to the general public on Tuesdays, when it will be restricted to free treatments for military patients. The Tuesday veterans program opened on May 15.

Unlike traditional acupuncture clinics, The Inn Spot practices “community acupuncture,” which is done in a group setting rather than a private room. According to Page’s website, community acupuncture “improves the experience for patients by allowing them to connect with others and alleviate feelings of being alone. The overwhelming benefits and case studies show how a group setting has added an extra layer of benefits …”

Page has pretty much put this clinic together with the help of Acupuncturists Without Borders, a worldwide nonprofit group.

But much of this has come out of Page’s pockets — literally. Paychecks, 401K, you name it, and he’s using it all to get the business rolling.

At the clinic’s soft opening on May 12, we talked with acupuncturist Dr. Michele McIntyre about what the ancient art does.

“The ancients who gave birth to acupuncture had discovered points on the head and body that, when stimulated by a tiny needle, can tell the body to relax — to heal — to get in physical and psychological balance,” she said. “It’s good for detoxification. People at first often don’t believe it until they actually experience it, and they become believers.”

Christian Helmand took a treatment, as he has before, because he’s found it helpful in detoxifying from opioids.

“It helps you get your mind off it, and sometimes that’s what’s needed,” he said.

The kinds of procedures used are watched over by the NADA, or National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, sort of a watchdog body for the art.

Many people look at acupuncture and think it’s a fake, or a con, or something.

It’s not. Traditional Asian medicine has a long history in the world — a history of accomplishing good where Western medicine hasn’t helped.

The Veterans Administration has been offering acupuncture for many years, and it’s benefited many veterans.

For more information about The Inn Spot Community Acupuncture Clinic, visit innspotacu.com.

— Doug Curlee es editor general. llegar a él en [email protected].