THE FOLLOWING ARE SYMPTOMS AND CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY THE WASHINGTON ACUPUNCTURE CENTER. PARALYSIS AND PARESIS Paralysis is the inability to move a part of the body. Paresis is partial paralysis. Both conditions may be caused by injuries to the nervous system strokes or neurological diseases. Paralysis and paresis may be accompanied by spasticity, involuntary movement which is uncontrollable. Injuries to the brain and spinal cord from automobile accidents and athletics are common causes of paralysis and paresis. If the spinal cord or any nerve is completely severed, acupuncture cannot correct the paralysis. If the cord or nerve is only damaged, however, acupuncture can improve its functioning and often relieve the resulting paralysis, paresis and spasticity, even as much as five years after the injury. Pressure on nerves from spinal disc pathology, arthritis or vertebral compression from osteoporosis may cause symptoms of paralysis or paresis which can usually be relieved by acupuncture. Sciatic nerve paralysis from buttocks injections can also be relieved by acupuncture. Paralysis caused by such progressive neurological diseases as M.S. and A.L.S. can be effectively treated by acupuncture but may tend to recur and require a series of treatments several times a year. Restoring function usually requires many more acupuncture treatments than relieving pain. Some restoration of function may appear after the first treatments, but many more treatments may be require red to obtain optimal function of a limb which has been paralyzed. Nutritional therapy and physical therapy can be given along with acupuncture. next