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By Tami Jo Nix

S. Alex Young, MD, FACP shares office space with Dr. A.S. Pannu, 2339 W. Cleveland Ave. Suite 103, providing acupuncture.

Photo by: Tami Jo Nix

For thousands of years, people have used the Chinese healing practice of acupuncture to relieve an assortment of health concerns. This treatment is now available locally from S. Alex Young, MD, FACP.

"People often turn to acupuncture as a last resort," Young said.

Acupuncture is performed by inserting small needles into precise points on the body to relieve pain to the skelatomuscular system.

Although Young specializes in internal medicine, he does not treat ailments such as high blood pressure or gastric maladies with acupuncture.

His treatments concentrate on the 24 meridian points as well as the ventral and dorsal points.

The needles used in the treatments are 0.22 by 13 centimeters. The area of skin treated is sterilized with alcohol before the needle is inserted.

Potential patients need to expect the first treatment to take from 45 minutes to an hour and cost $65. Subsequent treatments take between 30 and 35 minutes each and cost $50 per session. Young does not bill insurance companies for treatments.

While some people experience immediate relief from pain, for some it may take a day for the treatment to work. Most patients will need between six to 10 treatments to feel the full effects.

Young also teaches classes in Tai Ji Quan (pronounced tie-chi-quan) a form of exercise. The classes begin at 7:30 a.m. and run for 45 minute on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the afternoons, from 2 to 5 p.m. Young is seeing patients for acupuncture therapy.

"The exercises are offered in the form of preventative medicine," Young said.

Classes are $30 per month and $20 per month for seniors.

For information or an appointment for either service call 673-8055.

Tami Jo Nix Tami Jo Nix is a senior staff writer, photographer and community / features writer for the Madera Tribune. You can contact Tami Jo at 674.8134 ext. 231 or e-mail at tamijo (at) maderatribune.net Tami Jo also handles community calendar items and wedding announcements. The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.