Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body by gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hand. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.
Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians responsible for overall health. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.
Initial Session
In this initial 75-minute Introductory Session, we will address your questions and examine your ailment(s) to determine the best acupuncture approach for addressing your condition(s).
Follow Up Sessions
In follow up coaching sessions, we will review your goals, explore and resolve your challenges, create new opportunities to grow and build on your strengths. You’ll then have the opportunity to discuss any topic you’d like. We’ll finish the session by creating an action plan, and if you choose to continue, set new goals for your next meeting.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Acupuncture is done using hair-thin needles. Most people report feeling minimal pain as the needle is inserted. The needle is inserted to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. Needles may be heated during the treatment or a mild electric current may be applied to them. Some people report acupuncture makes them feel energized. Others say they feel relaxed.
Improper placement of the needle can cause pain during treatment. Needles must be sterilized to prevent infection. That is why it is essential to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. The FDA regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.
Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including:
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Heat/moxibustion
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Friction
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Suction/cupping
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Electromagnetic energy
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Pressure/acupressure
How does acupuncture affect the body?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Before considering acupuncture, talk to your doctor. National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to aid in treating the following ailments:
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Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
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Dental pain after surgery
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Addiction
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Headaches & migraines
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Menstrual cramps
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Neck pain
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Tennis elbow
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Fibromyalgia
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Myofascial pain
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Osteoarthritis (OA)
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Low back pain
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Asthma
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It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.
Other studies suggest that acupuncture can also assist in the treatment of:
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Peripheral neuropathy
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Nausea
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Fatigue
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Tendinopathy
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Anxiety
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Depression
What to expect:
An acupuncturist will examine and speak with you to assess your condition(s) and answer any questions you may have before the procedure. Individuals will typically sit or lie down during the procedure. The acupuncturist will insert one or more single-use, disposable, sterile needles. People may feel a very brief tingling sensation upon needle insertion followed by a dull ache at the base of the needle. The needle(s) will stay in place for 10–60 minutes. The number of acupuncture treatments a person will need depends on their individual ailment(s).