Woolfgang was raised in Boston. When he was just 17 years old, he joined the military. He drove around Japan to visit Japanese scientists after America invaded Japan. His bravery was such that he didn’t even own a gun. After World War II ended, he served one year and then returned to Boston College for his engineering degree. Following his graduation from Boston College, He joined the United States Air Force. For over fifteen years, he flew commercial aircraft and jets. He has never suffered from anxiety, depression or panic attacks. After the plane engine had problems, he drank 2 cups of coffee throughout the day. He was still able to keep his cool even though he had jumped out of the aircraft in Rhode Island. He was unable to open his parachute when he first got off the plane. He was calm and went through all the procedures to open the parachute. From there, he successfully landed in the Atlantic Ocean. His acupuncturist later confirmed that he didn’t drink coffee in the morning. He was even more calm. While he did not have a great diet when he was younger, his military training meant that he had never indulged in too much. He is a morning person. His two morning cups of coffee and a diet high in salt and sugar are his favorite things. He was quite fit until the age of 80.
He was 80 years old when he was first diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and osteoarthritis. As a standard treatment, his cardiologist recommended a beta blocker and blood thinner as well as high blood pressure medication. After a while, his heart beat became irregular but slower. Gradually, his right knee pain became worse, and his hands began to swell. He noticed that his hands were more swollen the next morning than they were the day before he began taking the medication. Due to the swelling in his hands, his fingers were unable to straighten by late afternoon. While he waited for an appointment with his Needham arthritis specialist, one of the patients recommended that he see an acupuncturist. His openness to new ideas and willingness to take on challenges has made him a flexible pilot. He is a pilot who lives out of Needham but still wants to improve his knee health and be in good physical condition so he can care for his wife and continue his ministry at his church.
To relieve right knee pain, he started acupuncture when he was 80. Our Needham clinic saw him 10 times per week. His knee pain improved dramatically. Only stiffness occurred when he climbed up and down stairs. After observing his once a monthly acupuncture visits in Needham, his acupuncturist suggested that he be treated for AF. His acupuncturist in Needham advised him to reduce his intake of coffee by one cup, or to drink decaffeinated. Initial, he stated that his cardiologist didn’t believe AF was related to coffee. The acupuncturist offered him two options: continue drinking coffee and then have a pacemaker that makes blood thinner for life or alter his habits to avoid having the pacemaker. When Mr. Woolfgan turned 87, he decided to make a change. He started to drink decaffeinated coffee. Following acupuncture treatment in Needham for a couple of months, Woolfgan’s heart rate fell to 50. He was advised by his Newton Wellesley Hospital cardiologist that his blood pressure could be stopped and his beta-blocker dose could be reduced to half. His heart rate would then remain between 60-60. According to his cardiologist, Mr. Woofgan was the only patient to be able stop blood thinners in over thirty years of medical practice. His hand swelling decreased after he stopped taking betablockers. His wrist pain was greatly reduced and he was able to grip his golf clubs much more easily.
Woolfgan was 86 when he decided to have knee replacement surgery. The Boston Medical Center orthopedist told Woolfgan that his artificial knee would help him to walk more comfortably. According to his Needham acupuncturist, knee surgery is not necessary if there are no pain in the knees and you can walk normally without any pain. His Boston-based orthopedic surgeon was a strong believer and he had his knee operation at the age of87. Following his knee surgery his right leg became swollen and unable to bend. Two nurses were then needed to support his leg while he was being treated by his orthopedic surgeon. He almost fainted during the painful procedure. After this difficult procedure, his right knee angle was decreased and his brain became extremely sensitive to pain. Because he was a strong man, he kept going with the acupuncture in Needham, and went to the gym each day to strengthen his legs. While the pain in his knees subsided eventually, his right knee is still not able to straighten completely. The acupuncturist asked him about his desire to have a second knee replacement for his left leg.
Mr. Woolfgan was locked in an apartment in Boston with his wife during the COVID-19 epidemic. He stopped receiving acupuncture in Needham after three months. He returned to his acupuncture treatments once per month after the lockdown order was lifted. He is now almost 92 and still retains sharp memories. Six feet and four inches tall, he hasn’t shrunk a single inch. He developed dizziness recently when he stood too fast in church or sang loudly. According to his acupuncturist, he should ask his Boston-based cardiologist for a change in his medication. The dizziness stopped after he cut back on his beta blocker. When he was 90 years old, he had to make some minor adjustments. He started drinking regular coffee again. He had a heart beat of 60 but irregular heartbeats that were not normal when he was drinking regular coffee. The acupuncturist is able to tell whether he has drank regular or decaffeinated coffee. Because he was undergoing two bladder surgeries, he began drinking tea more and more water. He was advised by his acupuncturist to drink more water if he does not wish to undergo a third operation for his bladder.
The case of Mr. Woolfgan involved the removal of his 80-year old habit to drink regular coffee, which could have led to him needing a pacemaker. It is risky as a 90-year-old can have his skin and muscles cut. He could then develop other types of diseases. The veteran of 91 years has maintained a good work ethic and is able to sleep and exercise regularly. This is what keeps him healthy both physically and mentally. Because he didn’t eat too many nuts or spicy foods, Mr. Woolfgan has good vision and doesn’t have glaucoma. He also reduced his sugar and salt intake following acupuncturist recommendations.