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Acupuncture is at last being accepted as a valid, effective, and useful alternative medical treatment by many in the mainstream medical community.
This treatment has been practiced for thousands of years in the far east. It is based on ancient Chinese theories of the constantly changing flow of energy, called ch'i,(pronounced "chee"), through distinct pathways or "meridians" that go through the body somewhat like little rivers of energy. It is believed that acupuncture helps to improve this flow.
 Dr. T.J. Stickel performing accupuncture treatment on patient Nathan Gibson, who suffered whiplash, severe headaches and neck pain in a car accident. Mr. Gibson stated "my improvement was greatly accelerated through the use of this procedure."
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The Chinese believe that things go wrong in the body when there is an imbalance of the complimentary life forces, yin and yang. This "ch'i" energy is said to flow along fourteen interconnected main channels (meridians) on each side of the body which surface at some 360 acupuncture points. These meridians service one or more specific areas or organs. An imbalance between ones yin and yang can be corrected by "needling" or stimulating the appropriate points on the body surface.
A trained acupuncturist inserts thin, sterile needles into specific points (or acupoints) on the body to treat or prevent illness. The acupoints are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems. Studies show that inserting needles into the skin stimulates nerves in the underlying muscles. This leads to the release of chemicals in the brain that block pain signals. The needles may sting a bit but do not hurt, and they may be left in 10 minutes or well over an hour depending on the ailment.
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 While many illnesses traditionally have been treated by acupuncture in Asia, it's primary use in the United States has been to relieve chronic pain caused by ailments such as arthritis, back problems, neck pain, leg pain, and headaches. It is also used to assist withdrawal from cigarette addiction and assisting weight loss. Acupuncture therapy doesn't hurt. You may feel nothing or you may possibly feel only a little sting upon insertion of the needle. The needles are about as thin as a hair, vary in length, and are only used one time and then disposed. Most are made of stainless steel with copper or plastic handles. They usually are inserted to a depth of 1/4". The doctor then gently twists or twirls them in order to stimulate the acupuncture point leaving them in 5-20 minutes longer. Or, the doctor may stimulate the needles with a weak electrical current or heats them with a burning herb such as mugwort (a technique called moxibustion).
Several insurance companies now pay for acupuncture when a licensed physician has made the diagnosis and prescribed it. More and more will do so as acupuncture becomes more widely used and the mechanism by which it exerts it's effects is further clarified.
If you are in pain, or chronically ill, and nothing as helped you so far, then let me urge you to try this alternative form of treatment. It is natural, holistic, it will not hurt you, and it assists the body to heal itself which is the way God intended.
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| Dr. T.J. Stickel, D.C., P.A.
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