November 7, 2005 --

Sara Morris-KFOX News Reporter

For thousands of years, the Chinese have used acupuncture to treat many conditions. Now, doctors are studying acupuncture to see how it helps people who have been stuck in the hospital for weeks on end, such as heart transplant patients.

At age 22, Michiko Mills had a heart transplant. What caused her illness was a heart muscle disease called cardiomyopathy.

"Both my mother and brother had died from the same disease. So to learn that, it was very scary, you know, that I was the next one that would eventually die," said Mills.

Michiko's heart muscle became weak. Her heart could not pump blood efficiently. Thankfully, a donor organ became available.

Right after surviving the storm of illness, Michiko and her husband Raheem weathered a different kind of storm. Back-to-back hurricanes prevented Michiko from getting to some of her follow-up appointments. She was unaware that while the winds raged outside, her body raged against her new heart. Full-blown rejection resulted in the need for another transplant.

"The first one was pretty difficult, but the second one was a lot worse," said Mills.

Michiko became very ill. She could not eat. Nausea and vomiting kept her from gaining the strength she needed to get better. Then neurosurgeon Ronald Reimer administered acupuncture.

"Many people who have been in bed, nauseous, vomiting or retching for weeks on end will have cessation of these symptoms and develop an appetite fairly soon after treatment," said Reimer.

Now, 4-months post-transplant, Michiko is thriving. She is enjoying time with Raheem and her second gift of life.

Dr. Reimer says acupuncture works to reduce nausea and vomiting by restoring balance to the nervous system after its function is disrupted by sickness and surgery.

If you would like more medical news, visit our health partners Web sites:

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center:http://www.mdanderson.org/

The Mayo Clinic:http://www.medicaledge.org

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