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acupuncture: What is it?

Acupuncture therapy is the main treatment method of Chinese Medicine. It can be used to treat any ailment or discomfort including pain, insomnia, PMS, anxiety, digestive issues, and so much more. I tell people that acupuncture can treat anything pertaining to your body, mind, or spirit which you think can feel better!

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It involves the placement of very thin needles into the body at specific sites. Chinese Medicine says that these places are  where vital energy called qi is concentrated. When the needles are manipulated by a trained and certified practitioner, they are able to tell the body how to redirect the qi. When qi moves properly there is balance in the body and healing and wellness are facilitated.

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acupuncture: What Does it treat?

When people ask me what acupuncture is good for, I give them this as a short answer:

“Anything that you want to feel better in your life, acupuncture can help.”

That means general things like insomnia, PMS, and stress. It also means things like the symptoms of lupus and the side effects of cancer treatment.

Here are a few areas it treats:

  • Pain

    • Headaches

    • Neck/shoulder pain, stiffness, and strain

    • Knee pain

    • Low back pain

    • Carpal tunnel syndrome

    • Arthritis

    • Tendinitis

  • Quality of life

    • Cold/flu

    • Insomnia

    • Digestive problems

    • Stress

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Obesity

    • Low energy

    • Cold hands and feet

  • Gynecology

    • PMS Symptoms

      • Cramps

      • Low back pain

      • Breast tenderness

      • Mood swings

    • Menstrual irregularity

    • Missed periods

    • Heavy periods

    • Infertility

  • Chronic illness

    • Respiratory disorders

      • Asthma

      • Allergies

      • COPD

      • Emphysema

    • Digestive issues

      • Crohns

      • Ulcerative colitis

      • Acid reflux/GERD

  • Symptoms of autoimmune disorders

    • Fatigue

    • Achey muscles

    • Night sweats

    • Hot flashes

    • Abnormal sweating

    • Neuropathy

    • Swelling

acupuncture: What should I expect?

The first treatment will typically last about 90 minutes. This includes an intake with a detailed health history. I will ask you about everything including your respiratory health, digestion, sleep, and more. We even get down to nitty gritty details like your bathroom habits and how much you sweat.

 

At this point you might wonder why I would ask you questions about such personal information!

 

No two people’s bodies are the same. Chinese Medicine treats each person based on their individual constitution. All of the health history information you give me will help me get a better picture of how your body works. The more detailed information I get from you, the more specific and effective of a treatment I can come up with to help you reach your healing goals. There might be some questions you have never thought about. If you don’t know an answer, don’t worry about it. Just do your best! 

 

After the intake, I will look at your tongue and take your pulses. These diagnostic tools help me to further understand your constitution.

 

At that point, we begin the treatment. Ten to fourteen needles are placed in different parts of your body. You may experience some sensation at the site of the needle. The initial insertion feels like something akin to a mosquito bite. No big deal.

 

Once inserted, I will manipulate some of the needles to try to access the qi of your body. You may feel nothing, and that's okay. You may feel different things, that's okay too. People use words like, "dull pressure, "heavy," and "achey" to describe the sensation of needle manipulation. It should not hurt!

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Once all of the needles are in, I turn down the lights, leave the room, and you relax for 20-30 minutes on the table. I recommend doing deep breathing and meditation at this time. Some people listen to podcasts, others take a nap. Whatever you do, you should try to use the time to relax.

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When time is up, the needles come out and we're done! The most common effects right after treatment are deep relaxation, euphoria, and a clearheaded feeling.

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If you have any questions about wellness acupuncture or any of the other services I offer, feel free to contact me!

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