Acupuncture is a tool of the ancient Chinese art of medicine based on a totally different understanding of the human body and human pathophysiology compared to western medicine. Acupuncture relies on an old concept of meridians and the flow of energy through the body. Recently, western medicine has adapted and incorporated acupuncture into its arsenal of treatments. Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective in relieving pain, although this is poorly understood. At the Portner clinic we have a wonderful, highly-trained acupuncturist, Dr. Yana, who helps our patients with pain, headache, muscle tension, sleeplessness and various other disorders. We use her services in conjunction with our more conventional western approach.