What is Acupuncture?
Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that pain and illness result from imbalances caused by the various physical and mental stresses of life. Acupuncture helps to restore natural balance and promote the body's ability to heal itself.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when we insert them. When we gently stimulate the needles, they may produce a unique sensation we call de qi (a heavy, achy pressure, or a spreading, traveling feeling). You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving away from the needle. This is your own qi being activated to help you heal. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed, both mentally and physically.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary.
For acute conditions you can expect to need a few to several treatments, although you will usually begin to feel noticeable relief after just the first few.
Chronic conditions usually take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition.
Preventive treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Board-certified, state-licensed acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and physiology, Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and training, Western medicine disease processes, and training in Clean Needle Technique. We have passed multiple comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and are licensed by the state. As required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.
Your First Visit
Before you arrive for your first acupuncture appointment, we will ask you to complete a comprehensive New Patient Intake Form, which asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses and injuries, and health history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Oriental medicine takes everything about you into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex and everything that happens to us is involved in our current state of health.
After reviewing your intake form, we will discuss your condition, and we may examine your pulse and tongue, which are two of the basic diagnostic methods of Oriental medicine. The acupuncture points we choose will depend on your condition and may be at sites other than what you would expect. Once the needles are inserted, we will leave you to lie comfortably for 20-30 minutes with the needles in place. Most of our patients find acupuncture treatment deeply relaxing and often nap during their treatments.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for many health conditions. Below are some conditions we commonly treat, Feel free to schedule a brief, free Discovery Consultation to discuss your specific health condition.
Pain
- Sports injuries
- Muscle pain
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Leg, ankle and foot pain
- Arm, wrist and hand pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Jaw pain (TMJ)
- Dental pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Headaches and migraines
- Postoperative pain
Digestive Issues & Nausea
- Heartburn, Acid Reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic indigestion
- Chronic loose stools or constipation
- Peptic ulcer
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
Respiratory Complaints
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
- Asthma
Hormonal and Reproductive Issues
- Menstrual issues
- Impotence and low libido
- We no longer treat infertility or assist with IVF or IUI
