Phranque Wright

Acupuncturist

4007 N Broadway Chicago IL, 60613 Show map

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About

Phranque Wright is an acupuncturist practicing in Chicago, IL. Dr. Wright evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and looking at and touching the body. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific points on the body. Stimulating these points and nerves is how Dr. Wright treats the patients condition. Many of the bodys systems respond to acupuncture, and it can treat physical pain as well as emotional stress.

Education and Training

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 2007

Colorado School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Diplomate of Acupuncture 1998

Beijing Herbal Medical Acupuncture Institute Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Diploma 2000

Board Certification

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Provider Details

Male English

Phranque Wright

Phranque Wright's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can acupuncture really help with hair loss?
I personally have never seen acupuncture work for hair loss directly for people who have genetic balding issues. But acupuncture does help nourish the blood flow and help skin and regulate hormones, etc. So, if the hair loss is a spotting issue or stress related issue or from conditions that are not primarily genetic then it can be helpful. READ MORE
Is there any way acupuncture can help treat asthma?
I have treated many patients for asthma and other respiratory issues. Just last week a patient came in because their meds weren't doing anything and the western medical doctors had no answers for them. They were clearly breathing by the end of my session and more so by the time they got home. I think it is important to keep your inhalers for emergencies and have your medication on hand too, but acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines can help greatly reduce your daily needs for them. READ MORE
How long does acupuncture treatment usually last?
There is no standard answer to this question. It would be like asking "if I eat, when will I get hungry again?" or "If I become calm, when will I get stressed again?" Some people get immediate relief that lasts for months to the rest of their life. Some patients get relief for a few days, some for a few months, some for a few hours. For those that get the more constant returns, if they continue with the treatments it allows the body to continue balancing until the problems become less and less frequent. Health and wellbeing is never a constant state - it is always a continuous journey. I hope you find relief and I hope you find a good practitioner that will guide you to a long journey of health. READ MORE
I have a migraine problem. Should I see an acupuncturist?
Why not? If you're not getting results from the treatment you are currently using, go see if acupuncture can help you. Make sure that your acupuncturist is licensed in your area and has full training, i.e., do not go to a chiropractor or MD who"'took some classes" or a PT doing "dry needling." A good resource is www.nccaom.org - you can search by zip code for someone near you. Call a few places and see which one you think you'd feel most comfortable with. Let them treat you for a few sessions, as it may get better right away, but may also take some time. If they don't help, you can try another or go back to your MD to try different meds. I hope you get help, I know how awful migraines can be for people. Good luck READ MORE
Can acupuncture help me lose weight?
Health is never an easy task; as they say, "the correct road is narrow and easy to stray from" Acupuncture is not a 'magic bullet' that allows someone to lose weight easily, but it can help with the body's metabolism, with digestive issues, with hormonal balances, etc. You will still need to do the work, exercise, proper eating habits, etc. Losing weight too quickly is not healthy, but as long as your body is changing you are on the right track. Consult with a few acupuncturists in your area who work with weight loss as part of their programs and find one that you feel comfortable with. READ MORE
Does acupuncture work for anxiety?
The short answer is yes. Besides "pain" I think that anxiety is the number one reason people come to see me. The practitioner will have to find the root of the issue from a Chinese medical viewpoint, but your wife should start to feel better very quickly. It might also be helpful for you. READ MORE
Can I go to an acupuncturist to get rid of my abdominal pain?
If you have ruled out any major issues that could be the cause of this situation, i.e., dietary choices, internal abnormalities, etc., acupuncture can help regulate the digestion movement and acidity. Your practitioner may also suggest herbal remedies, dietary suggestions or lifestyle choices. Be sure to also check with a western doctor to clear out any serious digestive issues. READ MORE
I am having a lot of stress due to menopause and I am unable to sleep soundly. Should I go for acupuncture treatment?
It can certainly help your body regulate the imbalances caused from hormonal activity at this time. The practitioner may also suggest herbal remedies or food based solutions to your problems. READ MORE
Is there a treatment for bronchitis in acupuncture?
I'm sorry that your son is experiencing this and I'm happy to hear that medications are helpful for him. In Chinese medicine, what we would call bronchitis, can come from a variety of "root causes". Each one would have a different treatment strategy and success rates vary by person, as expected. Since this is a chronic issue, it would be wise to find a practitioner you trust who can help in the times of large flare-ups as well as maintain so that flare ups are less common and less intense. This, again, would depend on the type of bronchitis diagnosed. Herbs could be a good choice for maintenance of symptoms and a good practitioner can also advise with dietary suggestions for both maintaining health and for prevention of flare ups due to seasonal issues or other reasons. So, yes, acupuncture can help, but the strategies will all depend on how the condition is differentially diagnosed. I wish your son a long healthy life. READ MORE
Can an acupuncturist help me with my GERD?
I like to tell people that acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help anything you'd go to the doctor for. It can be helpful for GERD, but your practitioner would be looking for a root cause of the issue and it may take a few treatments and you may need to return periodically to keep control of it. Your practitioner may also prescribe herbal formulas or have dietary or lifestyle advice for you to follow as well. In addition to your medications or even in lieu of your medications this should help with your overall well being. Let your MD know that you are seeing a Licensed Acupuncturist so they can monitor your meds as needed. Be sure that your practitioner is a Licensed Acupuncturist, not and MD or DC or PT that took some courses, you want someone fully trained. READ MORE
Can acupuncture treatment go wrong?
I would like you to be aware that when properly performed by a professionally Licensed Acupuncturist, the side effects of treatments are rarely negative. There are, though, people who are allowed to stick needles in people and say what they are doing is "acupuncture" though they have not been fully trained. There are also people who stick acupuncture needles in people and call it "dry needling" but are extremely minimally trained. When done by the latter, the side effects become more common and can be more severe and problematic. With that said, the minor side effects are bruising, a drop or two of blood loss, some minor pains or discomfort, bruising, etc. More severely there's dizziness, blood loss, fainting, headache, etc. Most severely, there is pneumothorax, an increase in complaint issues, punctured organs, drop in blood pressure, etc. The most common side effects I see are actually a sense of relaxation and stress reduction with some minor body aches when physical muscle tension is released. Keep in mind, that some of the side effects can be mitigated by having the patient eat well before the treatment and be well rested with no drugs or alcohol in the system (except for prescribed meds of course). Also, having the practitioner talk you through the treatment, i.e. checking that you are not uncomfortable, asking if you're ok as they needle, etc. You, as the patient, should definitely speak up if you feel any excess pain or discomfort. For your tension release, there are two aspects of that. Emotional tension is easily released with minimal side effects, physical pain can also be released easily but may have a side effect of "tired achy muscles" because the muscle itself is releasing it's flex and so becomes tired and sore like after a heavy workout. For that, a liniment or pain patch can relieve the pain and it should clear in two days tops. As far as "wrong points" go, there really is no terrible thing that would happen, it just won't be as effective - it's not like giving a wrong medication with terrible side effects, it just won't be as useful in treatment. In some cases, however, a wrong point can bring an exacerbation of the issue but again, a trained professional should be well aware of proper treatment from diagnosis of pattern. So, key here is 1. Eat well and rest well before your treatment. 2. No alcohol or drug use for at least one full day before treatment. 3. No excess sexual activity before treatment. 4. Ask questions of your practitioner and make sure they are Licensed Acupuncturists, not just DC's or PT's that had minimal training. 5. Let the practitioner know if you're nervous about anything so they can help relieve your nervousness. 6. Let your practitioner know if anything is making you uncomfortable or causing pain. The practitioner is there to help you and is very concerned about your total wellbeing, so please communicate with them. I promise they will not ignore you like some hospitals do, if they do, go somewhere else for treatment. Enjoy the experience. READ MORE
Is acupuncture effective in treating blood related problems like anemia?
Acupuncture can help with most any ailment, but as always we need to diagnose what we feel is the root cause of the issue. Along with acupuncture, the practitioner may also want to prescribe herbal formulas and/or have dietary suggestions. Don't expect immediate results, but look for other changes in the patient's health like sleep patterns, mood, energy level, etc. As she get's more healthy with treatments it is a sign that the treatments can help overall. READ MORE
I have headaches frequently. Can acupuncture treatment help?
Just yesterday I helped a patient relieve a headache in two minutes using only one point. So, short answer is "yes" acupuncture helps with headaches and most any other pain. Your result may not be as quick as my patient from yesterday, but a qualified practitioner should be able to help you in just a few treatments. It all depends on the type of headache and root pattern. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help in treating joint pain?
Of course I think it will be effective, I use acupuncture to treat all kinds of joint pain on a daily basis. Be aware though that sometimes treatments work immediately and sometimes it takes a few sessions for full results to manifest. So, please take time and listen to other advices your practitioner offers you such as stretching, diet, heat/cold/rest or other. Some practitioners will use more than just needles i.e. moxibustion (burning an herb on the needle or around the joint), scraping, healing salves, patches, herbs, etc. This will all depend on the initial cause of your problem, again, it may take time, but you really should start to feel some relief even with the first treatment. READ MORE
How long does the effect of acupuncture last?
There really is no standard answer to this question because everyone is different and like any health modality or issue, recurrence can happen periodically, frequently or not at all. The best thing to do is return to your practitioner for another treatment or series of treatments to see how your condition may have changed and what strategies need to be addressed now. READ MORE
Does it hurt when acupuncture needles are inserted in the body?
The short answer is, "it can, but it's not what you might think it would be." Generally, it is less painful than any fear justifies. It certainly is not the same as getting a shot or blood drawn (depending on the skill of the practitioner) because those are done with hypodermic needles, i.e., they have a hole in the center, so they are thicker. Acupuncture needles are a much smaller gauge, i.e., I can fit about 40 of my needles into the hole of a hypodermic needle. If you have had any piercing (ear, nose, navel, etc.), then you have already pierced a thicker object into your skin. If you have a tattoo, that tattoo session is probably about 30 acupuncture treatments all at once. The one thing to remember is that you are already in pain with your headaches, the needling will release the stagnation to relieve the body. Does it hurt when someone takes out a splinter? Yes, but it is relieving the actual pain. Most people feel a prick and then nothing, but you can also feel a twinge, a zap, some warmth, etc. If what you experience is "pain," tell the practitioner and they'll reinsert or reset and you should be fine. Enjoy your experience, it will help you immensely. READ MORE
Does acupuncture help in weight loss?
It can help, but Acupuncture is not THE answer to weight loss. We all know that the key to weight loss is proper diet and proper activity. There is really no way around the fact that one needs to adjust diet and increase activity if they wish to lose weight safely and properly. What acupuncture and Chinese medicine can do to help with weight loss is it can 1. Help regulate the digestive system - so you use your fuel and eliminate properly. 2. Help with emotional issues surrounding weight issues, self esteem, anxiety, worry, etc. Emotions are a huge part of any aspect of our health, with those in balance, our whole body can change. 3. Help with energy. Acupuncture helps calm people when stressed and it can help one feel more energized, more active, more attentive etc. It is important that your practitioner listen to all aspects of your health and wellbeing, they may offer herbal formulas or talk about nutritional choices. Always follow your gut on what you think is right for you and do get a few opinions from other professionals if you'd like more help (trainers, nutritionalists, dietician, etc.) Always remember too, there is never a short cut to good health - the work you put in will be the price you pay, the reward is being the person you want to become. READ MORE
Is it true that people suffering from high blood pressure should not try acupuncture?
The acupuncture should not negatively affect your blood pressure numbers, though it is generally advised to maintain proper blood pressure before attempting any medical procedure. I do not know what you mean by "high" is it just a few numbers above average or is it in the 200's? If it is only slightly high there should be no problem, if it is highly elevated, then you should be on BP medications to help maintain that. The acupuncture should not have negative effects on your BP medications, though as you get the treatments and as you lose weight, your BP may naturally decrease. So, stay in touch with your primary MD who is prescribing the medications so that the BP can be monitored and proper dosages can be maintained. Most acupuncturists will not treat you unless your BP is in a normal range, so get that under control first. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help in treating vertigo?
My short answer is, "it should be able to help," in fact my generic answer to "what does acupuncture treat?" is "anything you'd go to the doctor to treat." My caveat to that is anything that requires emergency medical treatments or anything that is more easily treated through modern means (surgeries, infectious diseases, etc) should first go to western practitioners and let the Acupuncturists help with the side-effects or post-surgery treatments, pain management, et al. Most people's questions deal with a western medical diagnosis and ask "does acupuncture treat this?" The problem I have in answering these questions is the fact that western a western diagnosis can be caused by a variety of Chinese medical differentiations. For instance Acupuncture treats "the common cold" quite quickly and effectively but we need to differentiate what we would call "a hot," "a cold," "a damp," "a dry" type as well as others. We can treat "headaches" but need to differentiate a "deficient type headache" from "an excessive type" headache and also "blood related" or "qi related" or "diet related" problems. What westerners call "vertigo" we can call "Liver Qi rising" or "blood deficiency" or "qi deficiency" or some other differentiation that would determine the path of treatment strategy we would follow. Each has a different way of tackling the problem. So, again, it should be helpful, though it may not cure it if there is a more serious issue involved (tumors, genetics, etc). If western medicine has found nothing serious and hasn't helped, we can usually help for sure. READ MORE
I feel very sleepy after my acupuncture session. Is this normal?
This is generally a normal response. We are greatly unaware of how much pressure the stresses of daily life put on us and how it truly affects our bodies. When we receive acupuncture (or massage or other treatments that help us releases stress) the body goes into what I call "it's true state of deficiency." In short, you're feeling tired because your body truly is tired. The rest will help you heal better, so take advantage of that restful feeling. This will also allow you to start taking better care of yourself i.e. rest well, eat well, play well... I hope this answered your question, if not feel free to follow up with another. READ MORE