The IWD was founded in 1997 because "there was a need for women with disabilities to get gynecological care," said IWD Director Judith Goldberg. When IWD patients started asking for the addition of an acupuncture program in 2001, the New York branch of Pacific College joined forces with IWD. Now, student interns supervised by Licensed Acupuncturists from Pacific College have clinical rotations three times a week treating IWD patients for pain.

Since its inception, the program has been very popular. There is currently a waiting list of 80 people for the acupuncture program. Over the course of fourteen weeks, a patient may receive as many 20 treatments.

"This treatment helps me a lot with my pain," one patient said. "The people are also very caring and loving. This has helped my back pain decrease."

Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat more than 43 conditions, including headaches and migraines, back pain, osteoarthritis, and constipation. According to a 1997 National Institutes of Health panel, "One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse affects is substantially lower than that of many drugs other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions."

The IWD patients seem to agree.

"My back pain seems better, less muscle spasm, and my ankle movements have improved a great deal," one IWD patient said. "I personally would refer anyone to try the natural healings of acupuncture treatment. I am feeling wonderful."

For more information on IWD's use of acupuncture, please contact Pacific College at (800) 729-0941 - www.PacificCollege.edu