Interview

Complementary medicine is becoming a reliable alternative to westernized medicine due to practitioners, such as Penny Todd, who are able to use certain techniques to cure many illnesses.

            “ By practicing these techniques, we are able to address our patients as a whole and alter their mind, body, and spirit,” said Penny Todd, 52, owner and lead practitioner of Crofton Acupuncture and Wellness Center. “ With westernized medicine, you are changing your body’s chemistry by taking quick fixes such as antidepressants, compared to transferring your body’s own natural energy to heal itself with acupuncture.”

Many doctors are done writing their patients prescriptions for medication and advising them to visit complementary medicine practitioners to become healthier. With all of the benefits that these practices have with no risk involved, acupuncturists are busier than ever.

             “Within six weeks of therapy, I can guarantee that my patients will show improvement in whatever they are suffering with,”Todd said. “I have helped patients overcome migraines, depression, anxiety, addictions, infertility, and weight management issues.

Acupuncture is the process of moving your body’s chi, or natural energy, around by sticking needles into your skin at certain meridians, or areas or the body. Inserting the needles at these specific points causes energy to flow to different areas of the body. The goal is for your body to be in optimal balance to avoid illness.

“I sit down with each of my patients for an hour and a half on their first session to evaluate their lifestyles and diagnose their symptoms,”Todd said. I have been trained to pick up on certain smells, communication patterns, and behaviors to factor in where I should transfer their energy.”

Penny used to suffer like many Americans from stress, and turned to acupuncture for her cure. Once she showed immediate improvements, she wanted to help treat others who were struggling with their health, so she decided to become an acupuncturist.

“ I get so much personal satisfaction out of my job and am able to make a decent living because of it,” Todd said. “The hardest part about is the business aspects, such as advertising and accounting.”

Beside acupuncture, Penny recommends reiki, which is a “hands on healing” technique that focuses on the movement of energy. Practicing yoga, getting regular massages, and eating a balanced diet free from raw sugars and processed foods are also the key to good health.  

Slug: Wall

A 36-year-old Baltimore woman was severely burned Friday in her apartment from the ignition caused by spraying an aerosol can around her stove, fire invesigators said.

Arnetta Sands, of the 200^th block of North Aisquith Street apartment complex, was spraying an insecticide around 12:13 a.m when it combusted. As a result of the explosion, the connecting wall between the apartments collapsed and landed on a child sleeping in a crib. Sands suffered from first degree burns to her back and neck, and the fire  damaged her kitchen and furnishings, fire investigators said.

Andre Henderson, the 10-day-old new born, was saved by firefighters when they removed the portion of the wall off of crib.  Renee Henderson, 23, the mother of the infant, was taken to Hopkins’ hospital with her son to get tested for possible smoke inhalation, fire investigators said.

Sands visited a Church Home and Hospital where she was treated and released for burns.  Nobody was injured, and firefighters are reporting this incident as an accident.