Chinese Medicine in Dayton

DAYTON - Clients visit Denise Lane at her Blue Valley Acupuncture Clinic here for many reasons. Some have injuries to joints, some have arthritis and some have chronic headaches or back pain. Some come just to relieve stress.

"About 70 to 80 percent of my patients respond to acupunc- ture," Lane said, explaining that their pain or other symptoms are reduced after a series of treatments. "Some don't at all, some people's responses are temporary, but many patients have dramatic and permanent improvement."

Acupuncture is the practice of placing fine sterile needles at specific "acupoints" on the body to help relieve pain and reduce stress. Lane says some patients come to see her regularly - as often as weekly - and some get treatment for a short time, just for a specific ailment.

Lane also offers treatment with Chinese herbs. These come in a variety of forms, including pills, granules and infusions, similar to tea. "The herbs can enhance the benefits from the acupuncture, as well as help relieve symptoms on their own," Lane said.

"About 90% of my patient visits are paid for by health insurance," she said. Lane says most health insurance plans cover acupuncture.

Lane is a graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland. She attended the four-year master's program from 2006 to 2010 and received her graduate degree in eastern medicine. "It's a very intense program," she said.

Lane is a native of Sacramento, Calif., and graduated from Sonoma State University in Napa Valley. She came to the northwest with her family and eventually settled in Everett. She and her daughter, Tyhra Owen, who is a massage therapist, moved to Dayton in 2002. "We were looking for a nice town with lower housing costs," Lane said.

Lane emphasizes that she considers acupuncture a complement to traditional medicine, not a replacement for it. "I recommend that patients either find a primary care physician or see their existing PCP if it appears they have signs and symptoms of uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes or other serious health concerns," she said. "I also check blood pressure and have a glucometer if necessary."

Lane's office is in the Convenient Care Clinic building at 112 N. 2nd Street in Dayton. She can be reached at (509) 386-4672.