THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021 Page 15 BEACON | FROM Page 14 “I am a commissioned offi cer in the U.S. Naval Reserves,” said Kearney. “The…votes that I missed… occurred as a result of my being on my annual reserve duty and additional reserve duty due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my distinct honor to serve my country in its time of need. I was present for the roll calls on acts and budgets.” “In early March of 2020 I was on an offi cial business trip with city leaders to increase our investment in economic partnerships between the city of Quincy and County Cork, Ireland, during which time I missed 12 votes in two days,” said Ayers. “This is not refl ective of my service in the Legislature, as I’ve always maintained a 99 percent voting record in the House. Aside from this trip, I did not miss a single vote during the last session.” “Despite trying to be available KITCHEN CABINETS To Look Like New 508-840-0501 FURNITURE STRIP & FINISH for every vote, the remote session and the schedule created sometimes I was not available due to district commitments,” said Vega. 2020 HOUSE ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE RECORD The percentage listed next to the representative’s name is the percentage of roll call votes for which the representative was present and voting. The number in parentheses represents the number of roll calls that he or she missed. Most representatives’ votes are based on the total 332 roll calls. Some votes of some representatives who won a special election after the 2020 session was already underway have their votes based on fewer roll calls. Rep. Bob DeLeo Rep. RoseLee Vincent 100 percent (0) 97.5 percent (8) BEACON | SEE Page 16 ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ Estate of: Date of Death: 04 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner of Petitioner of a Will has been admitted to informal probate. of of has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve on the bond. Space for Lease 3 Large Rooms, each with Large Walk-in Storage Area. or Aerobics Studio. Located at Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza, Route 1 South, 425 Broadway, Saugus. Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507 Acupuncture: Does It Work and Is It Covered by Medicare? Dear Savvy Senior, Is acupuncture a viable treatment for pain and is it covered by Medicare? Since the pandemic hit, I have a lot of lower back and neck pain and am wondering if it’s worth trying. What can you tell me? Looking for Solutions Dear Looking, Many studies over the years – funded by the National Institutes of Health – have found acupuncture to be very eff ective in easing pain and can help with a variety of other ailments too. Here’s what you should know. Acupuncture Treatment First used in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture has become increasingly popular in the United States over the past decade. While acupuncture isn’t a cureall treatment, it is a safe, drug-free option for relieving many diff erent types of pain including low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, postoperative pain, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel syndrome, dental pain and more. Studies have also shown that it can be helpful in treating asthma, depression, digestive disorders, menopause symptoms like hot fl ashes, and nausea caused by chemotherapy or anesthesia. Exactly how or why acupuncture works isn’t fully understood, but it’s based on the traditional Eastern theory that vital energy fl ows through pathways in the body, and when any of these pathways get blocked, pain and illness result. Acupuncture unblocks the pathways to restore health. However, today most Western practitioners believe that acupuncture works because it stimulates the nerves causing the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkiller hormones. It’s also shown to increase blood circulation, decrease infl ammation and stimulate the immune system. What to Expect During acupuncture, practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles through the skin. The needles are solid, sterile and disposable (used only once), and as thin as a cat’s whisker. The number of needles used for each treatment can vary anywhere from a few, up to a dozen or more. And where the needles are actually stuck depends on the condition being treated, but they are typically inserted about one-quarter to 1-inch deep and are left in place for about 20 minutes. After placement, the needles are sometimes twirled or manipulated, or stimulated with electricity or heat. You may feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is inserted, but generally it’s not painful. Once the needle is in place, however, you may feel a tingling sensation, numbness, mild pressure or warmth. How many treatments you’ll need will depend on the severity of your condition – 12 treatments done weekly or biweekly is very common. It’s also important to know that acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other conventional medical treatments, or by itself. Cost and Coverage The cost per treatment typically runs anywhere from $40 to $150, depending on where you are in the country and what style of treatment you are receiving. Today, an increasing number of private insurance plans, including some Medicare Advantage plans, and policies provided by employers off er some type of acupuncture coverage. You’ll also be happy to know that last January (2020), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that original Medicare will now cover up to 12 acupuncture sessions in 90 days for patients with chronic lower back pain. Eight additional sessions can be added if patients show improvement. But in order to receive Medicare coverage, you must use a licensed acupuncturist who is supervised by a medical doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner trained in acupuncture, who will need to process the acupuncture claim. Currently, licensed acupuncturists can’t directly bill Medicare. To fi nd an acupuncturist in your area ask your doctor for a referral, or you can do a search online. Two good resources are the National Certifi cation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (nccaom. org), and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists (medicalacupuncture.org), which off ers a directory of MDs and DOs who are certifi ed to practice acupuncture. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
16 Publizr Home