Studies show that inserting needles into the skin stimulates nerves in the underlying muscles. This leads to the release of chemicals in the brain that block pain signals. While many illnesses traditionally have been treated by acupuncture in Asia, its primary use in the U.S. has been to relieve chronic pain caused by ailments such as arthritis, back problems, premenstrual syndrome, dental surgery and headaches. It's also used to assist withdrawal from addictions such as drug and alcohol dependency. And the World Health Organization has stated that acupuncture is suitable for treating eye, ear, nose, throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal and muscular disorders as well as problems with the nervous system.
Acupuncture also can relieve nausea caused by morning sickness, chemotherapy or anesthesia.
In some states, only doctors can perform acupuncture. The railway, which has operations in Kansas City, suspended such tests two months ago after being sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The commission announced an agreement with the railway that settles the EEOC's first court action challenging workplace genetic testing under the Americans With Disabilities Act. The commission contended that the Fort Worth, Texas-based railway violated unlawful medical exam provisions of the act and wrongly based employment decisions on results of genetic testing. Richard Russack, spokesman for the second-largest U.S. railroad, said no monetary damages were included in the settlement.