Acupuncture goes with flow

Reprinted from AJC May 2, 2007
By Faith Dawson • fdawson@ajc.com

A needle might be able to offer relief from depression, headaches, digestive problems and fibroid tumors. It isn't connected to a syringe, though. It's an acupuncture needle.

Acupuncture is thousands of years old, and it treats all kinds of conditions. An acupuncturist inserts fine needles into specific points on the body. The needles remain in place and stimulate the body to heal itself. Although it is an ancient practice, we don't have a lot of scientific evidence about it. Medical studies continue to debate its effectiveness, and soem skeptics believe acupuncture heals through a placebo effect.

Still, patients say it works on a variety of ailments. Deborah Craft Parkman, a jewelry artist in Jasper, says she experienced intense pain after surgery, but she didn't want to take medicine long term. "I first started [acupuncture] years ago after I had surgery and had extreme pain around the pelvic area... I was in such desperate need to get rid of my pain that I was willing to try anything. And in three treatments, it was gone," she said.

Acupuncturists can't diagnose or cure diseases, but acupuncture might improve your quality of life if you're being treated for an illness. Acupuncturists often work with medical doctors to help patients feel better and heal faster. It can reduce the nausea that's associated with chemotherapy, for example.

Some see an acupuncturist when they feel fine. "I treat patients - they have no health complaint - for wellness. Acupuncture has a function to help people maintain balance and health," says Li Hua, a licensed acupuncturist in Sandy Springs. "Chinese medicine - the important thing is, we're not awaiting you to get sick [to treat you]. We do a lot of work for prevention - for a long life, a healthy life."