It's been practiced for more than 4,000 years in China, but for many in Southern Utah, the idea of using acupuncture as a method of healing is relatively new.

A few years ago, Charles Lewsader of St. George suffered from an enlarged prostate. A trip to the urologist revealed that he had "an unspecified infection." The only choice was to have surgery and take the infection out, which he did.

Last month, the problem flared up again but this time Lewsader's daughter suggested he try acupuncture treatment instead.

On his first trip to see S. Ping Lu, a licensed acupuncturist with Dixie Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Center in St. George, Lewsader learned the problem was actually a yeast infection. Lu put him on a strict diet, including some herbs, and started acupuncture treatments.

Two weeks and 14 treatments later, Lewsader is "totally back to normal."

"I wish I'd have found him before I had my prostate operated on," Lewsader said.

Across town at Dixie Chiropractic, Katie Stuart of St. George is also finding success with acupuncture treatments administered by Pat Matthews, a licensed acupuncturist, to help with back pain caused by a dropped pelvis following childbirth, pain she's lived with for roughly three years.

"Right away I noticed my whole body felt better," Stuart said of her first acupuncture treatment.

So what keeps people from this type of treatment? Both Lu and Matthews said it is usually is a lack of education, combined with a fear of needles.

How does it work?

According to printed materials provided by Lu and Matthews, acupuncture involves inserting thin needles - about the thickness of a horse hair - into certain parts of the body in order to send an electro-chemical message to the brain to respond in a certain way. Acupuncture doesn't introduce anything into the body, like medicine, rather the stimulation from the needles ask the body to heal itself.

Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine says the body is made up of solids, fluids and energy or Qi (pronounced chee). Acupuncture is a way to direct, enhance or decrease the flow of your body's energy, according to Matthews' pamphlet on acupuncture.

"Acupuncture adjusts the balance for the human body," Lu said.

One common misconception about acupuncture is that it is somehow linked to Eastern religious beliefs but this is not the case.

"This is not a religious practice. This is medicine," Matthews said. "It's just a health technique, and a very good one."

It's getting back in harmony with nature, rather than putting foreign substances in your body, Lewsader said.

The cost for acupuncture treatments vary depending on the acupuncturist and the treatments, but in the area a person can expect to pay about $50 to $80 per visit.

Does it hurt?

This is probably the most common question Lu hears, as many people worry about the needle poking aspect of having acupuncture treatments. Lu said many times the prick is hardly noticeable and even when it is felt, "It's much, much better than a shot," he said.

Lewsader said many times he doesn't even feel the needle.

That's because unlike hypodermic needles used for shots, acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow, have a rounded tip and they are not extracting or injecting anything from or into the skin.

They don't cut the flesh, they part through the tissue, Matthews said. "This is so instrumentally different (than a shot) ... you can't understand that until you try it."

Stuart said a person feels only a tiny prick.

Other times the sensation is likened to a mosquito bite or bee sting that quickly subsides.

What is it used for?

Although Lu said he understands acupuncture "cannot fix everything," however, a host of ailments can be treated with acupuncture, ranging from migraines and toothaches to acne, asthma, arthritis, depression, diarrhea, ulcers and more.

Almost anything you can be treated for with Western medicine can be treated with acupuncture, Matthews said.

Both Lu and Matthews said they prefer to collaborate with a patient's Western doctor to provide the best possible treatment. And because of his medical schooling in China and practice as an internist for several years Lu understands Western medical practices as well as Eastern.

Lu's wife, Jing Zhong, is also a licensed acupuncturist in St. George but while in China she worked as a gynecologist. Because of her background, she is able to treat a variety of feminine problems with acupuncture, including menstrual cramps, infertility, menopause, vaginal pain and give women more energy for labor.

In general, the number of treatments necessary will vary, depending on the ailment, and may be combined with herb supplements and other treatments.

The most important thing to Lewsader is that he keeps feeling healthy.

"It's getting you back in harmony in a natural way," Lewsader said.

Source : thespectrum.com