Flu patients turn to Chinese treatments

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The flu outbreak has some people thinking outside the box and even turning to the other side of the world for medical help.

In the last few weeks, the Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine has seen more patients come in with the flu.

"Three or four days ago I started to get a fever," said Julie Stack, "I talked with the doctor, they said just go home and wait it out."

But Stack didn't want to wait, so she decided to try other methods to treat what ails her.

Stack believes acupuncture works and the needles help relieve the flu symptoms, helping her body get stronger faster.

"It's hard to break the ice but once you do, it's really amazing what this stuff can do," Stack said.

The practice of placing needles into human flesh to solve medical problems has been questioned by many, especially Westerners, but Stack says it works.

"Immediately there was an opening in my sinuses where I can breath a little better," Stack said.

Herbs is a also big part of traditional Chinese medicine. There are hundreds of herbs that can be mixed and matched to each patient's needs.

"If you try something in the normal field and you're just not getting results with it, try something new," Stack said.

The school says there is a place for both Western and Eastern medicine.

Some patients need modern medicine and surgeries but there are plenty of patients who can benefit from traditional medicine as well.