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2B – Daily News – Tuesday, April 13, 2010 FEATURES Smart son turned into slacker Acupuncture eases carpal tunnel Dear Annie: Our 20-year-old son, ‘‘Kevin,’’ worries us terri- bly. He was kicked out of col- lege because of marijuana use and for the past year has couch-surfed, backpacked and hitchhiked. He visited over the holidays, and although he didn’t smoke pot in our home, he did take a couple of hour-long walks to smoke a joint while talking to friends on his cell phone. He claims it is normal behavior among college- aged people and politely told us we should get used to it. Kevin doesn’t see returning to college as particularly useful, since recent graduates have lots of debt and haven’t been able to find work. Obtain- ing any sort of job has been very difficult in our area. He insists compa- nies that hire based on a college degree are behind the times, and that life experience is more important because every- thing you need to know is on the Internet. He says no one cares about learn- ing in college. Being college-educat- ed parents, we are con- cerned for Kevin’s future. He is an avid reader and watches online seminars from such places as MIT and Stanford on all sorts of subjects. Should we just ignore his occasional marijuana use? Is there any way to convince him to go back to school before all his savings are used up and he ends up homeless? — Frustrated Parents of a Former High- Achiever Dear Frus- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar trated: So Kevin is a smart kid, but pot has turned him into a slacker, and he justifies his irresponsibili- ty by saying ‘‘everybody does it.’’ This is not an uncommon ado- lescent attitude. Right now, it would be a waste of your money and the college’s resources for him to return to school, although he may be more willing in a year or two. Seeing the world is a time-honored tradition for young adults who don’t know what to do with their lives, and it’s possible Kevin will gain the maturity and per- spective he needs. Ask him to keep in touch, and let’s hope he doesn’t get arrested. Dear Annie: My hus- band, children and I enjoy taking ‘‘one tank’’ car trips and spending a few nights at a hotel and exploring the area. We do not live close to family, so how do we han- dle it when my husband’s family members invite themselves on one of our trips? The last time we were out of town, my hus- band’s sister asked where we went, and he told her. She then said, ‘‘We would love to go next time. Wouldn’t it be fun for the cousins? When’s the next trip so we can come along?’’ She put us on the spot and made it impossible to say no without hurting her feelings. These trips are special times for us to get away and be with our children. — Out of Gas Dear Out of Gas: Your husband should be the one to tell his sister that these trips are for his children to have ‘‘family time,’’ although he’d be happy to give them point- ers on how to do it on their own. And once in a while, you might consider inviting them to come along. Who knows? It could be fun. But be sure they travel in their own car and get their own hotel room. Dear Annie: This is in response to ‘‘Refuse To Be an Enabler,’’ whose parents are upset because she won’t loan money to her ‘‘mean, lying drunk’’ of a sister. Bravo for her. Unfortunately, her par- ents’ disapproval is taking a toll on her physical health, as well as her mental and spiritual well- being. She can learn to take care of all three of these in Al-Anon. While coun- seling is helpful for one on one, to hear the experi- ence, strength and hope from others who have walked the walk is invalu- able. The support offered through Al-Anon is price- less. For more informa- tion, readers can visit the website, al-anon.ala- teen.org, where you can hear members share through podcasts. — Al- Anon Public Outreach Coordinator, Connecticut Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently answered a letter on carpal tunnel syndrome. I am a 74-year-old woman who has had tremendous relief from acupuncture for about 12 years. Back then, I had six treatments, and, until recently, I have had few symptoms. Now, owing to overuse of my hands by garden- ing, cooking, using the comput- er, etc., I am starting to have trouble again. Still, I do not awaken in the night and have to get up and shake my hands as I once did. Have you other input on this? DEAR READER: The carpal tun- nel is literally a passageway on each palm side of the wrist that protects the main nerve to the hand and accompa- nying tendons responsible for allow- ing the fingers to bend. Dr. Peter Gott months. The syndrome occurs when pres- sure is placed on the median nerve, causing pain, tingling, numbness and eventual weakness of the affected hand. Repetitive motion for extended periods of time, such as swinging a hammer, and diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, some thyroid problems and amyloid deposits are a few of the pos- sible causes. Amyloid is an abnormal protein manufactured in bone marrow. Symp- toms of the syndrome typically begin slowly but can progress to the stage at which a physician should be consult- ed. Confirmation might be made by an electromyography or through a nerve- conduction study. Initial nonsurgical control for mild nerve impairment might include a wrist splint, over-the-counter nons- teroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sup- plemental vitamin B6 or a cortisone injection. Chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, yoga and a number of similar techniques for relaxation might also be appropriate. When con- servative measures fail to produce positive results, surgery might follow. That decision is best left to you and your primary-care physician or spe- cialist. Chiropractic therapy is therapeutic manipulation of the spinal column and deep muscle massage that does not involve the use of drugs or surgery. It is performed by a qualified chiroprac- Up to 20 needles will be used in a single treatment and will remain in place for up to 30 minutes. Yoga is yet another ancient practice that combines relaxation and exercise to provide pain relief. Simply put, a person controls his or her breathing while going through a series of specif- ic movements. Tai chi has developed over the years into a gentle form of exercise aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. This Chinese art is known to help with a variety of health disorders. If you are experiencing a return of symptoms, return to your acupunctur- ist for periodic maintenance, which is often found to be beneficial. It goes without saying that if you perform repetitive motion in your line of work or at home, modify the prac- tice as much as possible. Be sure to take frequent five- to 10- minute breaks to allow your hands to rest while performing these actions. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. tic doctor and based on the theory that a person’s health is determined by the condition of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Acupuncture involves the ancient practice of inserting thin needles into the skin at strategic points throughout the body for relief from pain. Treatment plans commonly involve from six to 12 ses- sions over a period of a few