Charlotte Acupuncturists Charlotte, NC

After meeting in college, Michele and Bill Blitstein say it was a dream come true to be partners in business as well as marriage. They married in 1995, and in 1997 opened Advanced Health Pain Relief Center, offering chiropractic, acupuncture, and licensed massage therapy services. Both are chiropractors holding advanced certifications as Fellows with the Acupuncture Society of America (FASA), and both are members of the Alliance of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Michele is a diplomate in acupuncture (NCCAOM). and together, Bill says, they help make Western and Eastern medicine blend.

Why should people consider acupuncture?

"We don't like people to do something instead, we like them to do something in complement to. Whether it's women with hormonal problems or terrible headaches, we don't take you off the medicines, we work in conjunction with them. We always stress to consult your medical doctor if your symptoms improve after treatment. The purpose is to make you better and for you to improve when your body is healing. Acupuncture is a perfect harmonization of 'chi.' Chi energy is the life force that flows through each person. A perfect harmonization of chi would be when there is a perfect balance of meridians and the body heals itself. It makes you better or represents what your health should be without sickness."

When is acupuncture a good choice of treatment?

"It's a good choice at any time and any condition, whether it's acute or chronic. That's why this treatment has been around for 4,000 years — there's never a bad time to have acupuncture. The whole theory is that you shouldn't wait to have acupuncture at the onset of symptoms, you should have it even when you feel wonderful to maintain your chi. There are five seasons common to the Oriental culture to maintain their chi: spring, summer, late summer, fall and winter. Acupuncturists have treated over 2,000 conditions throughout the generations, from asthma, thyroid and allergies. Regardless of the illness, you're not going to cause harm to your body by doing acupuncture."

How does the process work?

"Every session lasts 17 to 20 minutes, unless we do facial acupuncture, which can take about 40 minutes. We try to keep our practices very affordable. We charge $48 per session, and we treat for what the patient needs. Before the procedure, there's a full health questionnaire, consultation and a very thorough examination to measure points. We provide six private bays for acupuncture in a relaxed and soothing environment with soft music and a Chinese TDP mineral heating lamp. There is an examination by computerized electrodiagnostic graphing of acupuncture with 12 main meridians. Acupuncture may be administered with sterilized, fine needles or an optional needle-less, microcurrent-attended electrical stimulation for children or adults with needle phobias."