Acupunture
Modern Application of an Ancient Healing Therapy
During acupuncture treatment, an acupuncturist inserts very fine, sterile needles into specific points of the body to unblock the flow of energy through the body. The practice began more than 2,500 years ago in China. Today, it is one of the most common medical procedures in the world.
Affinity Health System offers acupuncture treatment in Northeast Wisconsin through the Mary Kimball Anhaltzer Center for Integrative Medicine in Oshkosh.
Uses for Acupuncture
Musculoskeletal problems are among the most successfully treated disorders, but acupuncture has many other uses:
- nerve dysfunction (tendonitis, Achilles tendon, tennis elbow)
- sciatica
- carpel tunnel
- myofacial pain
- soft tissue pain
- stroke rehabilitation headache
- menstrual cramps
- fibromyalgia
- osteoarthritis
- low back pain
- asthma
- weight control
- addiction
- smoking cessation
- adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting
- postoperative dental pain
Complements Conventional Medicine
In many health systems today, including Affinity, acupuncture complements conventional therapies. For example, doctors may combine acupuncture and analgesic drugs to control surgery-related pain. Some doctors have found that acupuncture lowers the need for conventional pain-relieving drugs, reducing the risk of side effects.
What Can I Expect During My Visit?
Getting to know the patient and understand the many life factors (work and life stresses, environment, illnesses, physical or emotional distress) that may influence your well being are an integral part of the treatment process. The practitioner will ask you questions to get to know more about you. He or she may take pulses from around your body to gauge imbalances in energy flow.
The experience of being “needled” varies tremendously, but it's nothing to be afraid of. You may not feel the needles going in at all, or you may have a sensation like a very small electric charge upon insertion. Adverse side effects are rare and less bothersome than those of conventional treatments
Physician Leadership
Jennifer Norden, MD, medical director for Affinity's Integrative Medicine program, John Lee, MD, a family practitioner and sports medicine specialist, and Kirsten Larson, MD, a family practitioner and urgent care physician, perform acupuncture at the Mary Kimball Anhaltzer Center for Integrative Medicine in Oshkosh.
Cost
The cost of acupuncture treatment varies. Currently, many insurance companies do not cover acupuncture, so it’s important to check with your health insurance company before treatment.
