It’s been used in China and Japan for centuries, but has only become popular in the U.S. over the past 20 to 30 years. It’s called acupuncture. According to the National Institute of Health there are currently more than 10 million adults in the U.S. that have used acupuncture at some time in the past, or are using it currently.

From chronic back pain, to high anxiety. "My back was so bad that I was out of commission, on the floor. I was the kind of person who would never get on a plane, or ever do anything like that," said Sharon Wheater.

Wheater says something was seriously wrong. For years she received a traditional prescription.

"Pills, and everything that the doctors prescribed. It seemed like I had a reaction to everything that they gave me," Wheater said.

Wheater decided to try a different approach, acupuncture

"The acupuncture works really well to get the circulation going. It reduces inflammation," said licensed Acupuncturist Paul Rooney.

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. The key to Rooney’s style of acupuncture are thin, "whisker like" needles, tapped into a handful of specific points on the body. Rooney says the needles help restore a natural flow of energy, healing body and mind. As acupuncture becomes more accepted, his appointment book is filling up.

"The big thing is if it didn't work, people wouldn't do it. But it does work and every year it’s going to increase more and more."

Wheater now goes to acupuncture treatments with her doctors blessing.

"I go in there and I look at it like it’s my quiet time. I get very relaxed, I go to sleep, and it's done," said Wheater.

Traditional or not, Wheater says it works.

"It helped me cope, and try to work through things with the anxiety," Wheater added.