HEALTH

New Ultrasound Services at Big Sky Medical Center

BY PATRICK STRAUB

Armed with the most current technology in ultrasound imaging, the Big Sky Medical Center continues to improve health care for the community. Adding ultrasound services in Big Sky has been a goal of Bozeman Health for years, and now patients from West Yellowstone to Gallatin Gateway can enjoy less travel and high-quality care.

Big Sky Medical Center’s new Philips Epiq ultrasound machine is another cornerstone of the options of premium care at the growing medical center. Along with the Epiq comes Big Sky Medical Center’s resident ultrasound technologist, Virginia Jacobs. Jacobs was previously based in Bozeman but now brings her years of expertise to Big Sky.

“We can now image everyday issues right here in Big Sky,” Jacobs says. “Our machine is brand new, has all the updates and current software, and images can easily be shared with our team of specialists in Bozeman.”

Ultrasound technology is often synonymous with pregnancy and gynecologic care, and Jacobs is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with credentials in OB/GYN and abdomen. Jacobs explains that useful ultrasound imaging is crucial for diagnosing a variety of health concerns.

“We can diagnose everything from lumps and bumps to blood vessels and organs,” she says. “Here in Big Sky we now have a great tool that doesn’t involve radiation or a long drive to Bozeman for diagnostic imaging.”

Big Sky Medical Center’s new machine is designed to assist patients with a variety of potential life-threatening short- and long-term health concerns. Jacobs can look at a patient’s blood vessels for blockages and narrowing or enlargement. Additionally, liver, kidneys, gallbladders and other soft-tissue abdominal organs can be imaged in Big Sky.

Ultrasound, also called sonography, uses highfrequency sound waves to create images of organs and structures in a body. There are no known risks to an ultrasound exam and most exams require little or no preparation. A few might require the removal of jewelry or monitoring a patient’s daily or nightly intake of fluids.

“This is a great service to have here in Big Sky,” says Jacobs. “Patients have easy access to our facility and our great staff aims that they have a positive experience.”

All of this while getting a highly trained ultrasound technologist and a brandnew machine. The commitment to keeping Big Sky healthy doesn’t stop with Jacobs, as she provides all imaging results to the radiologists in Bozeman.

“Our radiology team in Bozeman is exceptional,” she adds. “We can also go beyond Bozeman and Big Sky as the imaging results can be sent to doctors throughout the country.”

For locals in Big Sky, diagnosing nagging pains is crucial to enjoy all that Big Sky offers, but for vacationers, having access to easy care may be important to keep the vacation rolling. Because Big Sky is now a nation-wide destination often requiring long flights or long drives, many travelers may experience leg pain or difficulty adjusting to the lengthy travel or altitude.

“With ultrasound now here in Big Sky patients have quality imaging and access to radiologists, but don’t loose the small-town personal touch,” says Jacobs.

Adding ultrasound services in Big Sky has been a goal of Bozeman Health for years, and now patients from West Yellowstone to Gallatin Gateway can enjoy less travel and high-quality care. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOZEMAN HEALTH

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The benefits of acupuncture

BY DR. ANDREA WICK

EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine. It’s been around for thousands of years and has been given more and more recognition from mainstream medicine over the last two decades or so.

Acupuncture opens meridians, or energetic pathways related to organs and glands, in the body. When an acupuncturist inserts needles into the skin, the needles help to rebalance “qi” or life force energy. Placing needles in a meridian helps to open the channel and maintain normal energetic flow. This is helpful if the meridians are stagnant or blocked since blocked channels can result in disease or distress to the system.

There are 14 different meridian channels and 360 acupuncture points in the human body, and each relates to different organ and gland functions including the lungs, heart, spleen, kidney, liver, small intestine, large intestine and stomach.

When an acupuncturist first assesses a patient, they conduct a thorough health history while checking pulse points and the tongue. Pulse points allow the practitioner to diagnosis where the qi or energy may be disrupted, thus leading to a more specific treatment. During a tongue diagnosis, the acupuncturist is looking at the color, shape and coating of the tongue to more accurately discern what may be going on in the body.

“As an acupuncturist, I treat the body, mind, and spirit,” says Kallie Harrison, L.Ac, LMT, RN at Big Sky Natural Health, adding that acupuncture helps treat pain and stress associated with the pain, allowing the patient to become more aware of the mind-body connection. “I believe it’s about meeting each individual where they are at in their health journey and reminding the body of its innate ability to heal itself.”

According to John Hopkins Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture also helps with infertility, addiction, headaches, lower back pain, arthritis, nausea, depression, anxiety, and digestive issues, among many other afflictions.

Additional research from the National Institute of Health finds that acupuncture can help in treating chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, and in postoperative dental pain as well as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, addiction and even stroke rehabilitation.

Physiologically, acupuncture causes the release of endorphins, or “feel-good” chemicals, along with peptides in the central and peripheral nervous system. These chemical releases result in changes of neuroendocrine function and are an extremely powerful response.

Other forms of stimulation to the meridians of the body without the use of needles include: moxibustion, cupping, acupressure and gua sha. Moxibustion is heat therapy used to stimulate the flow of energy in the body. Cupping is a suction method where cups are placed on the body to help relieve pain and create more blood flow. Acupressure uses physical pressure and finger placement to stimulate meridians and channels. Lastly, gua sha is a tool that is used to scrape the skin in order to relieve pain and tension. Acupuncture is a great modality to try if you are looking for a more holistic approach within your healing journey!

Dr. Andrea Wick is a chiropractor and applied kinesiologist. She graduated from Life University in Marietta, Georgia, and now practices at Healing Hands Chiropractic in Big Sky. She has a passion for holistic healthcare and being active in the outdoors.

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