Acupunture in the Northland

By Nicolette Helling, FOX 21 News

DULUTH - "I'm twisting the needle to get the energy," said Emily Hysjulien to her patient.

Hysjulien is a licensed, state-certified acupuncturist.

She is not a doctor, as western medicine would define it, but she does heal people in an alternative way.

"Acupuncture is an energy medicine that came from China and it kind of traveled from country to country: China, Korea, Japan," said Hysjulien. "Basically it's a way of balancing the energy in your body."

Hysjulien treats people at her Duluth office.

Her patients have a wide range of conditions, from chronic illness and respiratory problems, to infertility or arthritis.

She helps them by feeling along one of the 12 meridians, or energy currents, she says are in the body.

"I can feel the energy in a meridian and where it's stagnant, where it's cold and hot," said Hysjulien. "A lot of people say, 'Oh! I don't like needles!'

While they are a frequent concern of her patients, Hysjulien says the stainless stell needles are so thin, pain is almost non-existent.

"I don't feel much at all. Just a little prick or something," said Faith Fjeld.

Fjeld has been living with arthritis.

After a month of acupuncture, she says she can feel a differance.

"After the first session with Emily, it was like, I felt like taking my cane down on Superior Street and twirling it around like a baton and marching up and down the street because I could actually walk without pain," said Fjeld.

Fjeld is one of many patients Hysjulien sees who are frustrated with their health care.

"A lot of people come and see me after they've tried everything with western medicine, kind of as a last resort," said Hysjulien.

Acupuncture, at its core, is contradictory to western medicine because it requires a totally different way of thinking.

But that doesn't mean the two can't work side-by-side.

"Western medicine is very good at a lot of things," said Hysjulien. "I can't transplant anyone's heart in this office here."

Fjeld agrees, sometimes you have to see a western doctor.

But she chooses natural medicine whenever she can.

"It's a very magical process, I think. Spiritual or magical," siad Fjeld.

And Hysjulien couldn't be happier to help Fjeld heal.

"I like seeing people get better. I like helping people," said Hysjulien.

A recent study published by the World Health Organization shows evidence of complementary or alternative medicine rising in popularity in the United States.

In other countries, like Germany, complementary or alternative medicine has streadily risen in popularity since 1945.