Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used forms of alternative medicine in the world. It’s an ancient form of Chinese Medicine (over 2,000 years old) that activates your body’s natural ability to rebalance and heal itself. Acupuncture is a natural, safe treatment where your acupuncturist inserts a sterile and painless, hair-thin steel needle on various acupoints of your body. These needles stimulate your body’s nerves, muscles, and connective tissue by activating your body’s meridians (energy pathways) to rebalance energy flow. Acupuncture can help with conditions ranging from digestion, sleep, infertility, chronic pain, headaches, and so much more.
INITIAL TREATMENT & CONSULTATION: $150 (90 MIN)
FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS: $130 (60 MIN)
How Acupuncture Works
Most recently, neuroimaging studies have shown that acupuncture affects a network of systems in the brain, including decreasing activity in the limbic system (the emotional part of the brain). Acupuncture needles are able to:
Stimulate Endorphin Release with Analgesic Affect to Reduce Pain
Stimulate Blood Flow and Tissue Repair
Signal the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system to reduce stress levels and regulate breathing, digestion, and heart rate
Acupuncture has been recognized by the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization to effectively treat the conditions shared below.
Conditions effectively treated by acupuncture
This is by no means a complete list of everything that can be treated by acupuncture. Please contact us if you would like to discuss how acupuncture may be able to benefit you.
Muskuloskeletal
Low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, periarthritis of the shoulder, knee pain, sprains, facial pain, TMJ, dental pain, arthritis
Women’s Health
Primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods), induction of labor, morning sickness, correction of malposition fetus (breech presentation), infertility
Digestive Issues
Acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, acute epigastralgia, biliary colic, acute bacillary dysentery, nausea and vomiting, IBS
Immune System
Hay fever, allergic rhinitis, common cold, and flu
Cardiac
Primary and essential hypertension
Surgery and Oncology
Post-surgical pain, adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
Neurological
Stroke, headache, facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders), Bells Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis
Emotional
Anxiety, depression
What to Expect
During your initial consultation, you will discuss your comprehensive health history with your practitioner and discuss your reasons for seeking acupuncture. Your consultation will help your acupuncturist determine where to insert the needles to achieve the best results. After the initial consultation, you’ll lie down on the table as your acupuncturist inserts the needles in various points on your meridians. The lights will be dimmed with gentle music playing to help you relax. Your acupuncturist will check on you during the session to ensure that you’re comfortable. The needles will stay in for 20-30 minutes. Acupuncture and other modalities such as cupping, gua sha, and tui na may be included as deemed necessary. Herbal formulas may also be discussed. Your practitioner will provide you with a suggested care plan and answer any questions you may have about your treatment.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture should not be painful or feel sharp. While hypodermic needles are thick, rigid, and hollow, acupuncture needles are hair-thin and flexible. Some common sensations that you may experience during treatment are heaviness, mild soreness, numbness, tingling, itchiness, or the sensation of energy, blood, and oxygen moving through the body. These sensations are normal, but always alert your practitioner if you’re feeling any discomfort.
How to Prepare For Your Appointment
Please arrive at your appointment with loose, comfortable clothing. Your practitioner may need to roll your clothing up to your knees or elbows depending on where they will be placing the needles.
How Many Treatments Will it Take to Help?
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative. Therefore, we typically suggest that a patient has a handful of treatments before we reassess. However, in the case of an acute condition such as a cold or short-term pain, results can be seen more quickly. However, if you have had a chronic issue, it may take a longer course of treatment to see significant changes. Acupuncture isn’t a one-size-fits-all therapy. The results vary from person to person.
Is Chinese herbal medicine safe? Can I take herbs in combination with my doctor-prescribed medications?
Chinese herbal medicine is very safe when prescribed by a licensed professional. I make sure to only use known, reputable sources and organic whenever possible.
If you are currently taking western pharmaceuticals, it is important that you provide a complete list of all medications and supplements to me as this ensures that we can work simultaneously with your current medications.