WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE ?
Acupuncture is a 5,000 year old Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment discipline based on restoring the balance to the natural flow of energy through the body. Acupuncture includes placing and gently stimulating small needles into specific places of your body. It may also include other therapies based on your condition.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE DO FOR YOU ?
Acupuncture is effective for disorders of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, reproductive, gastrointestinal and neurological systems. If you would like to know if your condition can be treated by acupuncture, please call us.
HOW SAFE IS ACUPUNCTURE ?
FDA approved acupuncture needles are factory sterilized and disposed of after use. Treatments are minimally invasive, safe and produce no ill-side effects. Licensed acupuncturists are fully trained in anatomy and acupuncture point location, maximizing your safety.
ARE NEEDLES INSERTED INTO NERVES?
No. It is a common mis-conception that acupuncture involves inserting needles into nerves. Typically, needles are inserted into safe areas within the skin and muscles avoiding nerves, veins and arteries, and vital organs.
WHAT WILL YOU FEEL ?
Acupuncture needles are less than 1/3rd the thickness of the typical hypodermic needle. When inserted, you may experience a variety of sensations including: nothing, a heaviness, achiness, mild cramping, warmth or tingling near or along the meridians of the acupuncture point. These sensations are known as “de Qi” or “arrival of Qi” in oriental medicine and are an indication that your body is responding to the treatment. Most people find the overall experience relaxing both during and after the treatment.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK ?
According to Chinese medical theory, health disorders occur when Qi your “Life Force” becomes blocked, diminished, or redirected. Acupuncture removes restrictions allowing for smooth flow of Qi through fourteen major pathways known as the “meridians” in your body. The Acupuncturist is trained in the discovery of unbalanced Qi and the selection of acupuncture points along your meridians that have specific therapeutic functions. Small acupuncture needles are inserted into the points promoting Qi flow through the meridians of the body with the intent to stimulate your body, release energy blocks and reestablish balance. Manipulation of Qi to restore balance allows your body to carry out its proper functions eliminating undesirable symptoms and discomfort. The body subsequently adjusts to a healthy state of balance, and for this reason acupuncture treatment is often described as Awakening the Intelligence of the Body. From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture therapy increases blood flow to speed up healing and stimulates hormonal changes. The effectiveness of pain control is thought to be due to a release of endorphins in the body and a result of relaxing tight muscles.