Surgery repaired her damaged ligaments, but she found no relief for her neck and back. She tried massage and physical therapy, but one year and thousands of dollars later, she still suffered daily. That's when a friend told her about acupuncture. After her first treatment, Moffit's body was so sore she couldn't get out of bed for three days. But her acupuncturist persuaded her to return.
Lifelike models display the many lines and pressure points in the human body.
Despite lingering opposition, more Americans are seeking relief through acupuncture. A U.S. government health agency recently declared that acupuncture is an effective therapy to treat certain conditions. Traditional doctors are referring patients to acupuncturists, and insurance companies are taking notice. Dr. Jason Eliot, a retired physician in Eugene, Oregon, became an acupuncturist after finding relief from his own chronic back pain through acupuncture. While he doesn't assert that it can replace modern medicine, he believes acupuncture is more effective for conditions like chronic neck and back problems.