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Acupuncture


Woman receiving acupunctureAcupuncture is a method of encouraging the body’s own natural healing ability and improving functioning by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points.

Acupuncture treatment sessions generally last between 50-60 minutes and include herbal consultation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does acupuncture treat?

The World Health Organization recognizes over 200 health conditions that can be effectively treated with acupuncture.  Some examples are listed bellow:

Respiratory Disorders: Allergies, colds & flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma

Gastrointestinal disorders: IBS, Crohn’s disease, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids

Genitourinary disorders: kidney stones, urinary tract infections, frequent urination, incontinence, impotence

Gynecological: irregular menstruation, PMS, menopause, infertility, PCOS

Emotional & Psychological disorders: anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress

Metabolic & Circulatory Disorders: diabetes, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, obesity, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, anemia

Musculoskeletal and Neurological disorders: body pain, arthritis, headaches, neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis (MS)

Immune disorders: HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue, candida, chemotherapy/radiation side effects

Dermatological conditions: psoriasis, eczema, acne, dry skin

Pediatric disorders:cold & flu, cough, asthma, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, bed wetting

 

What’s involved in getting an acupuncture treatment?

Treatments begin with a thorough intake interview about all aspects of your health condition.  Your practitioner will then feel your pulse and look at your tongue.  Based on these findings, appropriate acupuncture points will be chosen to treat your condition.  Common point locations are generally below the elbows and knees or on the back.  The points are then swabbed with alcohol.  You will relax on a massage table while the needles are inserted and retained for about 30 minutes.

 

Do the needles hurt?

Acupuncture is rarely painful, although it is common to feel sensations of heaviness, tingling, soreness, or distention during the treatment.  The needles are extremely thin, sterile, single-use, and made of stainless steel.

 

Is it safe? 

If performed by a trained acupuncturist, yes.  Acupuncture has been used safely for over 2,000 years.  Licensed practitioners are highly trained in human anatomy, sterilization and aseptic techniques, needling technique, and needling depth to ensure patient safety.

 

How does acupuncture work?

The traditional explanation for how acupuncture works is that the life energy flowing through the body which is termed Qi (pronounced chee) can be influenced and balanced by stimulating specific points on the body. These points are located along channels of energy known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked.  Acupuncture works to restore balance to the body.

Although no-one is able to explain precisely how acupuncture works, scientific research has shown that following an acupuncture treatment various physiological shifts occur. These shifts include an increase in the production of the body’s own natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents, and improvements in hormonal activity and immune system functions.