Acupuncture at Sedgebrook
As a way to broaden the options available for the residents at Sedgebrook, the senior living community's medical center is now offering acupuncture.
The existence of a medical center with full-time on-site physicians within a retirement community is very unique. The practice, which is exclusively for Sedgebrook residents, is headed up by Medical Director Dr. Elliott Kroger, with Dr. Kimberly Jenson. They are supported by a team including nurses, diet and fitness specialists, social workers, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, psychologists, and Sedgebrook executives, all of whom meet on a regular basis to discuss the care of residents.
Kroger explained that in the geriatric practice, much of what he does centers around addressing chronic pain management. "There are a lot of modalities for treating pain including medications, exercise, epidurals, massage, and physical therapy, but it's still limited, and a certain number of cases either don't respond, or stop responding after time. This, along with the advent of the opioid narcotic crisis in our nation, was incentive for me to look at non-narcotic options. We try to be a one-stop shop for our residents if at all possible. And so, we decided to bring an acupuncturist on board." Kroger said that acupuncture is increasingly accepted in western medicine and is in fact, probably the most commonly used alternative practice incorporated into western medicine.
After interviewing a number of practitioners, Kroger brought on Dr. Sheng Guo, a board-certified acupuncturist with more than 15 years' clinical experience. Guo was formerly an internal medicine doctor in Beijing specializing in cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. He visits Sedgebrook weekly and/or as needed.
"We look at this as one more tool at our disposal to attack a problem. It becomes an option. Acupuncture has been around a very long time and has the potential for being an effective pain treatment modality," said Kroger. "I like to have this choice available for patients who don't respond well to other treatments, or are possibly having side effects."
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.