Biopuncture is a therapy whereby natural, homeopathic products are injected into the body to stimulate and support the body’s natural healing process. You may not have heard of it yet, but I have used this innovative medical treatment to help my patients for the past 9 years and counting--ever since biopuncture was first introduced to this country.

I was fortunate enough to be at the very first U.S. lecture delivered by Jan Kersschot, MD, the Belgian doctor who developed this modality and coined the term ‘biopuncture.’ I was immediately impressed by his techniques and findings, and began training with him to become certified.

Complementary and alternative medical treatments like biopuncture are becoming increasingly popular among doctors and patients alike. Why?

Common injuries and ailments (i.e. back pain, arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome) can be hard to resolve with conventional medicine, but sufferers often find real relief after a series of biopuncture treatments.

What is biopuncture?

Biopuncture involves the injection of natural substances such as plants and minerals in very low concentrations or micro-doses. These homeopathic substances are all FDA-regulated and the needles used are very small and thin so there’s minimal discomfort.

Although some people will experience immediate relief after one treatment, usually a series of treatments (once a week for 3 to 5 weeks) will be required and sometimes more for people who are dealing with severe, chronic or complex health issues.

How does it work?

These injections stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Let’s say you develop elbow pain, and you’re eager to get back on the tennis court. Your elbow hurts because tissue is inflamed. The same inflammation that causes the pain is also how your body heals itself after injury.

Conventional medicine may recommend taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which stops the pain because it stops the inflammation. Instead, biopuncture works to speed up the healing process that begins with inflammation. It reduces pain by encouraging rather than interfering with the body’s natural processes.

What’s more, biopuncture is extremely safe, with almost no side effects. Some may experience minor bruising or irritation at the injection site. The same cannot be said for NSAIDs, which sometimes cause problems in the stomach, kidney and heart with long-term use.

What does it treat?

Biopuncture can treat pain and discomfort in your:

• Neck
• Back
• Knees
• Elbows

Really, any kind of sprain, strain or arthritic condition responds well to this treatment.

Biopuncture can even shorten the duration and intensity of the common cold, if administered early on in the course of the illness. It can also be used to treat some medical conditions such as asthma.

Although biopuncture is not currently covered by health insurance, it’s also not a particularly expensive treatment option. You might be surprised by how affordable it is as compared to the conventional treatments you’ve used in the past--and how quickly you’re back to enjoying life with fewer aches and pains.

Polina Karmazin, MD, is the Medical Director of the Virtua Center for Integrative Medicine in Voorhees. She is board certified in integrative medicine and acupuncture. She has more than 30 years of clinical experience in family medicine where she has utilized proven complementary therapies to treat a wide range of conditions without the side effects of conventional medications. She specializes in the management of acute and chronic pain using biopuncture. For more information, call 844-896-6367 or visit virtua.org/IntegrativeMed.