What Acupuncture Treats

Acupuncture practiced within the larger tradition of Chinese Medicine is a powerful form of internal medicine that treats a wide range of conditions.  Many of Laurie Mecham's patients come for a specific symptom, but soon experience an improvement in overall health because traditional acupuncture does not simply treat one illness.  It can treat many conditions at the same time.  

The following is by no means an exhaustive list of conditions that can be treated.  We offer this to provide you with some indication of what you can expect from acupuncture .  If you do not see your condition listed here, do not hesitate to be in touch with Laurie Mecham (L.Ac.) to find out how acupuncture can benefit you.

Addiction (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs) - suppresses cravings, helps detoxify the body, helps with irritability, insomnia and body aches associated with withdrawal 

Anxiety - helps decrease anxiety-related symptoms, such as insomnia, racing heart, overthinking, and stomach upset.  Helps calm nervousness and sometimes helps decrease or eliminate the need for anti-anxiety medications 

Arthritis - helps with swelling and inflammation in the joints, decreasing pain and increasing mobility

Asthma - helps alleviate wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in chest

Autism -  There is no cure for autism, but it can be managed in a way that offers considerable relief and improvement.  Laser acupuncture and traditional acupuncture have been shown to result in improvements in language comprehension and self-care ability.  Treatments may result in significant improvements in social initiation, receptive language, motor skills, coordination, and attention span.   In some cases, Laurie Mecham will recommend testing for gluten sensitivity as there is a higher rate of gluten sensitivity in persons with autism and some studies show significant improvement when a gluten free diet is adopted.  

Back Pain -  alleviates muscle spasms, helps swelling from herniated disks and degenerative disk disease, decreases inflammation from arthritis, treats subluxation by gently restoring vertebrae to normal position.  Treatment increases flexibility and mobility for most back conditions. 

Bells Palsy -  restores facial muscles and nerve function and prevents future recurrences 

Bronchitis (Acute and Chronic) - helps clear mucus and phlegm, decreases chronic cough 

Cancer - relieves the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as exhaustion, nausea and vomiting

Candida Overgrowth - helps clear up skin problems, restores gastrointestinal system's normal bacterial levels, reduces or eliminates urinary/bladder infections, reduces or eliminates yeast infections

Celiac Disease - There is no cure for Celiac Disease.  It must be managed by diet.  In conjunction with a gluten-free diet, acupuncture and Chinese Herbs help to strengthen the immune system and repair the damage that gluten can effect on those allergic or sensitive to it.  In the case of accidental ingestion of gluten, prompt intervention with acupuncture can minimize symptoms (including headache, body ache, insomnia, gastro-intestinal pain, anxiety, depression, and panic)  and speed recovery.

Common Cold and Flu -  alleviates symptoms such as headache, body ache, cold chills, fever, hot sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue.  Can be used as preventative for colds and flu 

Constipation and Diarrhea - restores regularity

Depression - helps decrease fatigue and cloudy muddled thinking and restores a sense of wellbeing

Fractures - increases speed of healing, decreases pain and inflammation, increases mobility

Fibromyalgia - helps lessen pain, increases energy, helps with digestive problems

Frozen shoulder - increases mobility, decreases pain, restores normal movement more quickly than when left untreated

Gout - relieves pain and inflammation, prevents recurrent attacks

Headaches and migraines - decreases head, neck and shoulder pain.  Alleviates muscle spasms, auras and nausea

Hepatitis - manages symptoms such as fatigue and jaundice

Herpes - decreases pain and length of outbreak

High Blood Pressure - can help reduce high blood pressure and significantly decrease its symptoms, such as dizziness, flushed face, nervousness, severe headaches, restlessness, difficult breathing, nose bleeding, insomnia, intestinal complaints, depression, short temper and emotional instability.

HIV/AIDS - manages symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, skin problems, headaches, aches and pains, improves overall quality of life, strengthens immune system

Indigestion - reduces or eliminates gas and bloating, improves overall digestion

Infertility - supports male and female fertility for those experiencing difficulty conceiving

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - helps restore normal bowel movements

Insomnia - reduces the need for sleeping aids and improves quality and duration of sleep

Menopause - treats hot flashes, emotional side effects, hormonal imbalances, dryness

Menstrual Cramps - reduces or eliminates pain and regulates menstrual cycle

Mesothelioma - helps with pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments

Morton's Neuroma - eliminates inflammation and pain

Pain (Acute and Chronic) -  decreases all kinds of physical pain: muscular, skeletal, joints, headaches, toes, ankles, knees, nose, ears, eyes, teeth, gums, etc.

PMS - decreases abdominal bloating, pain and cramps, back and leg pain, headaches, emotional irritability, and restores normal bowel movements

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Traditional acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and Chinese Herbs can significantly lessen the severity of PTSD.  Regular treatments help ease and minimize the frequency, severity and duration of triggering episodes and their psychological and physical impact.  

Pregnancy - supports the health of mother and child through duration of pregnancy, can help women with a history of miscarriage or difficulty conceiving carry a pregnancy to full-term

Psycho-Emotional problems - calms the spirit, helps release anxiety and depression, restores more stable moods

Sciatica - decreases pain and inflammation, restores normal movement, takes pressure off nerves that affect low back and legs

Shingles - decreases pain and length of outbreak

Sinusitis and Sinus Infections - decreases nasal congestion, inflammation and pressure, helps eliminate bacterial and viral infections, decreases pressure and pain in head

Stress - helps improve one's reaction to stressful situations, supports a calmer outlook on life

Sprains and Sports Injuries - decreases recuperation time, decreases pain, swelling and inflammation in muscles and joints

Weight Loss - in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise, helps suppress hunger and increase metabolism

Do you have any questions? 

Laurie Mecham (L.Ac.) practices acupuncture in the Greater St. Louis area.  We would be happy to hear from you.  You can contact the acupuncture clinic at:

314-288-9525

or email Laurie directly at laurie.mecham@att.net