For more than 4000 years, the Chinese have used acupuncture to treat many ailments.

Today, many doctors continue that practice because, for many people, it works.
For example... A Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon is using acupuncture to help people who suffer from nausea after an operation.

Gaylon Jones knew that getting his strength back after surgery for cancer of the esophagus would be tough.

"You then begin the process of rebuilding."

But he was not prepared for the intense nausea and vomiting that developed after the operation.

"Mild to extreme nausea. Even dry heaving. Basically I was nauseated from the first thing in the morning to late at night, and it was completely debilitating. I struggled to keep my weight up."

Gaylon's life was being controlled by the nausea. Neither diet nor medications could stop it. That's when he turned to a neurosurgeon at mayo clinic that, in addition to surgery, also practices the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture.

Dr. Ronald Reimer traveled to china to study acupuncture. He describes it as working in this fashion: needles in the skin stimulate pathways that travel through meridians and peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and brain. This is also often coupled with low frequency electrical stimulation. This causes endorphin levels to rise and other chemicals to change, unblocking trapped energy and restoring its flow.

"It is a science that is trying to rebalance the flow of qi, or energy in the body."

Acupuncture relieved the nausea for Gaylon.

"I went from probably 12 hours a day of nausea, from mild to extreme, to maybe two to three hours a day. It was life changing."

Gaylon started out having two acupuncture sessions a week. Now he has one every month or so.
He is working out with a trainer and has regained the weight he lost after surgery.
Doctor Reimer says results vary, but most patients can expect relief from symptoms soon after treatment starts.