Sisters doctor helps patients manage pain

Managing pain is a daily challenge for some people, and Rick Judy, DMD, is offering another option in Sisters. The modality is called Auricular Therapy, and it uses low-amperage electrical current on specific points in the outer ear to target pain areas within the body.

Developed in the 1950s by a French neurosurgeon, the technique can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.

"It's another approach to pain management and a diagnostic tool that allows me to direct patients to additional therapeutic solutions," said Judy.

It's also a good alternative for those who don't cope well with pills and medicines.

Auricular therapy has been used in tobacco cessation programs and to provide non-narcotic sedation prior to surgery.

According to Judy, patients report that there is often a significant reduction in pain from the first visit, and if the treatment is going to work long-term, it usually takes just three or four appointments.

Judy started using the therapy in his dental practice. He was a periodontist and taught the specialty for 30 years at OHSU Dental School. He'd graduated from there in 1966, then went on to do his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, a 2000-bed teaching hospital. Returning to Portland, he went into private practice for a time before signing up to the U.S. Public Health Service, a uniformed service that sent medical and dental teams to care for Native Americans.

After serving two years at the Ft. Hall Reservation in South Dakota, Judy returned once again to Portland to resume general dentistry. He went on to graduate school at the University of Illinois, specializing in periodontal dentistry.

He discovered the usefulness of acupuncture when in dental school, and became aware of auricular therapy in 1995. He underwent training and became certified in 1996.

Although Judy is retired from his dental practice, he's remained up-to-date with the therapy and decided to open his Sisters office this year. He is located in the Sisters Art Works building (204 W. Adams Ave.), on the ground floor with several other alternative therapy

practitioners.

Auricular therapy, like many other non-traditional modalities, isn't covered by insurance, but Judy will keep his prices low and flexible.

"Don't let an inability to pay stop you from coming," he said.

He can be reached at 541-325-1836.