Lilly Chu, LAC is a highly rated Acupuncturist in NORTHBROOK with over 27 years of experience. She is board certified in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is licensed by the Illinois State Board of Medical Examiners.
Acupuncture comes from an ancient system of diagnosis and treatment that focuses on the flow of energy through a network of conducting pathways: The acupuncture meridians. These pathways are associated with specific organ systems and inter communicate with each other. When this flow is disrupted, it causes illness. Acupuncturists use needles to stimulate points along these pathways and restore balance. This is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Modern scientific studies show that Northbrook acupuncturist works through neurobiological mechanisms. The stimulation of acupuncture needles affects the release of chemicals that change physiological processes, such as modulating pain-modulating neurotransmitters or influencing hormone production. Many of the conditions for which acupuncture is used have a clear mechanism of action, including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation; migraines by impacting the production and release of pain-modulating neurotransmitters; and polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS by stimulating luteinizing hormone via the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.
In addition to the physical benefits, acupuncture promotes emotional and mental wellness. The stress-reduction and relaxation effects of acupuncture have become widely recognized. In fact, the World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture for a number of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting, depression, anxiety, tension and insomnia, and more.
Christine Renz became interested in acupuncture while competing as an equestrian show jumper, and a student of Chinese herbal medicine. She has been a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Illinois since 1997, and is Nationally Board Certified in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Christine graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, one of the most respected Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine schools in the United States.
While acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine, which focuses on qi, the invisible life force energy that flows through all living things, thousands of scientific studies have proven why it works in more Western terminology. Today, acupuncture is gaining popularity as people around the world seek new, natural ways to heal themselves and feel better.
An acupuncturist will perform an intake to assess your condition and develop a treatment plan that may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, and/or Tai Chi or Qigong, a mind-body exercise that includes posture, movement and breathing control. Acupuncturist Mitzi North Labant has been in practice for over four decades and combines time-tested techniques with new cutting-edge methods like electroacupuncture therapy.
Patients are generally seen for one to two treatments a week, depending on the severity of the condition and the response to treatment. In some cases, patients see immediate results and feel better within a few treatments, while others require more extensive treatment plans. Typically, a course of treatment lasts for three to six months. This allows your acupuncturist to track progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.