Acupuncturist

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Several styles of acupuncture are practiced in the US. Medical acupuncture uses a blend of Western and Chinese theory in treatment planning. It is especially good for musculoskeletal problems, which benefit from a combined approach. Meridian treatments, trigger point release, and electrical stimulation to bone and muscle are all incorporated to achieve muscle relaxation, pain relief, and reduced inflammation. Dr. Meecham also incorporates Chinese models of the psyche into his approach in order to reduce emotional contributions to pain problems.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Dr. Meecham initially trained as an ophthalmic plastic surgeon and practiced at Kaiser during the 1990's. In 2000, degenerative neck disease forced him to abandon that career. In working through chronic pain and physical limitation, plus considerable stress and grief, he found acupuncture extremely helpful. He was delighted to learn what the Chinese have known for millennia: acupuncture not only reduces muscle tightness and skeletal discomfort, it also centers and calms the emotions.

Given acupuncture's potential to reduce pain and increase function in musculoskeletal disorders, and its benefits for emotional balancing, Dr. Meecham decided to pursue training as a physician acupuncturist. He completed the medical acupuncture education program offered by the Helms Medical Institute (which has trained more than 90% of the physician acupuncturists in the United States). He also mentored with an established medical acupuncturist in Marin County. His practice tends to focus on musculoskeletal problems, pain issues, and emotional distress, whether of longstanding or recent onset. However, because by nature Chinese medicine addresses the whole person and resists treating body parts or conditions in isolation, Dr. Meecham also uses acupuncture to relieve bodily discomfort resulting from stress, lifestyle, chronic disease, and aging.