"Does my insurance cover your services?”

As we anxiously await the outcome of President Obama’s healthcare reform initiative, it’s unclear what our benefit options will be. As a Doctor of Chiropractic and Acupuncturist for12 years, I’m often asked that question. During complimentary initial consultations at my wellness clinic, I find most patients are pleasantly surprised to discover their current insurance plan will pay for alternative therapy treatments.

Did you know chiropractic; acupuncture, massage therapy, and even naturopathy are commonly covered by insurance?

Many employers include some of these therapies in their benefit plans as a way to attract and maintain good personnel. Since coverage for alternative therapy can vary from plan to plan, it’s a good idea to speak to your human resources representative, or call your health care provider.

Women: when discretionary income is limited, your health shouldn’t have to suffer!

As women, we feel enormous pressure as we raise families, work full time jobs, and take care of our homes. With all of these added stressors, the last thing we want to worry about is staying healthy. Especially during these difficult economic times, when discretionary income is limited, learn how you can help yourself by getting the most the most benefit from your health plan.

Does this describe you or anyone you know?

• Did you throw your back out while doing the downward facing dog in yoga and now you can’t stand up?
• Did you just finish running the Chicago marathon and your sciatic nerve is rendering you helpless?
• Or could there actually be no traumatic injury involved, but yet you are still in pain?

Maybe it’s time for you to consider alternative therapy. We often rely only on traditional medicine when affordable alternatives healthcare are available? Therapies including chiropractic, massage and acupuncture could be the difference in helping you to return to an active pain free life.

What is chiropractic care and what are the benefits?

Chiropractic is a natural method of healthcare that utilizes and emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself through the correction of spinal restrictions or subluxations. As a result, it has earned its place as the largest drugless and non-surgical healthcare profession in the United States. The benefits of chiropractic are proven to extend beyond relieving neck and back pain. In fact, it has been proven to be effective in relieving headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ, sciatica, nerve pain and much more.

What is acupuncture? What does it treat?

Acupuncture is a 2000 year old, time-tested approach to healing aimed at naturally promoting health and alleviating sickness by restoring the energetic balance of the body, known as Qi. Qi is typically found by stimulation of certain points mapped along the meridians with insertion of single use needles or manual pressure. Acupuncture helps stimulate the release your body’s own pain-relieving chemicals called “endorphins”, which are also known as “anti-stress hormones.” Here are a few common health problems acupuncture helps to treat:

• Allergies/Asthma
• Anxiety /Depression
• Digestive issues
• Fertility support
• Women’s health issues
• Low immune system
• Migraines/Fatigue
• Stress/Tension
• Muscular-skeletal pains

Knowing all of your health care options, whether it’s your insurance benefits or alternative treatment methods, will help empower you to choose a path to a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Kristina Chung is CEO and founder of Balancing Point: Center for Wellness and has been serving the Chicago area for 12 years. She harnesses her training and knowledge of both eastern and western medicine in order to help her patients achieve their optimal level of healing.