I routinely have my esophagus stretched every 4 months now. I have a great GI doctor who is willing to do it as soon as I start having trouble eating. I had an open wound on my left calf for 12 years that wouldn't heal - and my doctors tried every cream/potion/ointment/lotion/treatment known to man. What finally worked was acupuncture. I was lucky, my health plan paid for the acupuncture.