Jeanne, a 71-year-old housewife, started having reflux, swallowing difficulty and cough two years ago. As nothing could control the symptoms, she was sent for an endoscopy examination six months ago then was diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus. This condition refers to an abnormal change in the cells of the lower portion of the oesophagus. It is characterized by the replacement of the normal stratified squamous epithelium lining of the oesophagus by simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells (which are usually found lower in the gastrointestinal tract). It is considered to be a premalignant condition because of its strong association with oesophagus adenocarcinoma, a very often deadly cancer.
Due to difficulty of swallowing, Jeanne had to have five very small meals every day. Because of the reflux and dry cough, she couldn't lie flat at night. There were pain behind her sternum and aches all over her body. She felt cold and extremely tired. She was desperate to find something that could help and decided to try acupuncture. I used some points in her neck and back on both sides of the spine. Moxabustion was added to a key point and cupping was also applied. After 40 minutes' treatment she got up and said her back and chest felt freer and lighter. She was very impressed. A week later she told me that after the first session she was able to lie flat for two nights, which she hadn't been able to do for a long time. She also felt more energetic and more positive. Then we had the second session which she again found very beneficial. But unfortunately, a few days later I had a phone call from her asking to cancel her next appointment because of a family crisis. I haven't heard from her since then.
