So you want to try alternative medicine?

You don’t have to look far.

In the coming months, the college’s health services will be offering acupuncture services to current students. Licensed acupuncturist will be available once a week, providing 30-minute sessions for students. One room will be solely dedicated to the service.

“We wanted to offer some alternatives that would be meaningful for the student body,” Lisa Chaney, health services coordinator at Fresno City College, said.

The FCC Health Center is working with a group that has had experience in providing acupuncture services at other colleges. This team will provide the health center with a system for a framework for many things such as the number of treatments a students will be able to receive per semester.

The service will be covered under the health fee.

“It’s great for musculoskeletal pain,” Chaney said.

In addition, the service can boost the immune system, relieve stress and help with sleep issues.

Chaney says research shows acupuncture stimulates the brain to provide pain relief to the areas being treated. For example, if the acupuncturist is stimulating the hip area, that area will light up in the brain and provide relief.

“I’ve tried it,” Chaney said. “I love acupuncture.”

Along with Chaney, several students have the same positive outlook on acupuncture.

“I’d be down for that. I remember getting acupuncture and it was so relaxing, it put me to sleep one time,” Connor Ames, first year student said.

“That’s very interesting,” Ray Sandoval, second year student said.

Despite the positive outlook on acupuncture, some students are concerned with sanitary issues. Ames said he feels uneasy about how the needles will be cleaned.

Chaney reassures, “All of the products are one-time use and they will be disposed.”

Further information about the service will be posted on the Health Center’s website.

Chaney also said that the Health Center is constantly striving to provide various services that promote student health. Furthermore, the center is looking to establish an advisory board of students to provide students’ point of view about how health services can be better fulfilled.

Chaney would like feedback on other services students would be interested in. She invites students to send her an email or stop by the health center with their ideas.