In response to two recent articles about heroin addiction and stroke awareness, acupuncture is an important resource for recovery from both of these problems. The first article states that many people, especially young people, become addicted to illegal drugs after overusing prescription pain-killers. Acupuncture is a safe, comfortable and very effective alternative to narcotic pain-killers for a wide variety of body aches including migraines, neck, shoulder, back and joint pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, carpel tunnel syndrome and TMJ. In addition to pain relief, healing is improved.
Acupuncture speeds recovery from illness, injury and surgery by promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation and swelling. Many well-established drug addiction treatment centers around the country include acupuncture for its calming effect, to treat insomnia, and to reduce drug cravings. Its use greatly enhances the success of addiction recovery. (It is also effective in treating smoking and food addictions.)
With regards to stroke treatment, the use of acupuncture in post-stroke recovery is recognized world-wide as the best technique to improve blood flow and functionality to the stroke-affected areas. Just as prompt emergency room treatment within three hours is critical to a stroke victim, acupuncture is most helpful for recovery when treatments begin within weeks or months after a stroke, not years later.
Be sure to seek a fully trained, licensed acupuncturist. They have a three- to four-year degree and are specialists at what they do. There are dozens of these practitioners in Iowa.
— Valerie Stallbaumer, Ames, licensed acupuncturist
