The Healing Affects Of Acupuncture

KSDK -- There aren't many businesses where the customer comes in and literally puts his or her feet up, but then this isn't your typical business.

"They used to call it quack row in the 70's when there would be a bunch of acupuncturist in a row because it was considered witch doctor medicine or strange medicine and now it is getting scientific credible evidence," says John Schmieder, a licensed acupuncturist and co-owner of Community Acupuncture of St. Louis.

After nearly 3,000 years acupuncture is proving to be something that can ease the pain of all kinds of conditions.

"Most of our patients come here for back pain, neck pain, knee pain, those are the biggies but what people don't realize is it can also treat internal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome," explains Bryan Wagner, the other owner of Community Acupuncture of St. Louis. "

A little known fact, it can help a lot with pms," adds Schmieder.

Tom Merila obviously doesn't come in to treat PMS, but rather pain caused by spinal stenosis, a condition that started causing him pain 18 years ago.

"I started to get steroid shots in my back and now it's progressed to the point where I can't get steroid shots as often as I want them," Merila explains.

So, a couple of months ago he decided to try acupuncture.

"Personally, I don't see the benefit right away but on the way out I definitely know something has happened," Merila adds.

Not because the needles are painful going in but because of what acupuncturist refer to as energy channels.

"There are actually energy channels in your hand that work with your back so I will be needling your hand and your legs to influence your back and your pain will reduce," explains Schmieder as he taps a needle into Tom's hand.

"They find that it does do something with hormone levels and brain chemistry. They see that it works but they don't know why it works," Wagner adds.

Doctors also know it's not harmful and are more willing to tell patients it's worth a try and for Tom, inserting a few needles here and there prevents him from walking on pins and needles in pain.