What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, completely reliable medical systems that can diagnose, treat and prevent illness.  It is a safe, effective and painless way to treat and prevent a wide variety of conditions for the past thousand years, now and in the future.

Acupuncture is the insertion of fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints shown as effective in treatment of specific health problems.  These points have been used and mapped by the Chinese over a period of thousands of years.  Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their location.

Acupuncture is based on an energetic model that encourages your body’s nature healing abilities.  Acupuncture strengthens and improves over all function, enhances recuperative power and immunity, and enables you to regain and enjoy physical and emotional health.  Acupuncture produces results by re-establishing and ensuring the continuous flow of vital life energy called Qi (chi).

What are the ailments that acupuncture can treat?

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health has determined that acupuncture is useful in the treatment of:

• Chronic and acute pain, including injuries, headaches, neck/shoulder/back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, etc.
• Neurological disorders, including post-stroke recovery, Bell’s palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, movement disorders, etc.
• Upper respiratory disorders, including asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, colds, flu, etc.
• Urinary and reproductive disorders, including cystitis, menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms, etc.
• Acupuncture can also treat addictions, immune function problems, eye and ear disorders, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions.

What can I expect?

During your initial exam a full history will be taken with questions regarding your health, lifestyle and any other information necessary for diagnosis.  Your acupuncturist will check your pulses, look at your tongue and conduct the appropriate physical exam.  This information is then organized according to the theories and philosophies of Chinese medicine in order to diagnose your specific concerns and any underlying factors that may affect your health.  After the interview process, you may receive an acupuncture treatment which ranges from 30 to 60 minutes. 

During the treatment, you may fell energized or a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.  Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted you may feel a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache.  Sometimes people will experience the sensation or energy spreading from the needle. (the Qi sensation).  All these reactions are a good sign indicating that the treatment is working.

How safe is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is extremely safe.  It is a drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects, except feeling of relaxation and being grounded.  There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and disposed of after each use.