Acupuncture is a complete medical system used to prevent disease, treat illness and improve well-being. It is effective for physical, psychological and emotional problems. Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, acupuncture has been embraced through the world due to it’s proven effectiveness.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Recently, science has determined that all human beings are complex bioelectric systems. This understanding has been the foundation of acupuncture practice for several thousand years. The Chinese found that energy circulates throughout your body along well-defined pathways or meridians. Points on the skin along these pathways are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures and systems. If this energy circulation is disrupted, optimum function is affected resulting in pain or illness. Acupuncture points are stimulated to balance the circulation of energy, which influences your health and wellness.
Scientific research in the United States, Europe, Japan and China has shown that acupuncture results in a release of the body’s natural pain-relieving substances – the endorphins. It also stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter and mood-elevator serotonin. Thus acupuncture is very helpful in treating pain and stress-related conditions, including anxiety and depression.
What is a Treatment Like?
The treatments are very relaxing. Many individuals are surprised at how comfortable they are during the treatment and how easily the needles are placed. The needles are extremely thin and specifically designed to be virtually painless. The pre-sterilized needles are left in for 20 – 30 minutes and are discarded after only one use. The lights are turned down low and soft music is provided to aid relaxation. Some people even fall asleep during treatment.
How Soon Will I See a Difference in My Condition?
Acupuncture is best thought of as a healing process, therefore each patient responds differently. Some acute problems will improve with just one or two treatments, while other problems of a chronic nature require a longer course of therapy. Only after individual evaluation can your acupuncturist give you a more specific answer.
Can Acupuncture Help You?
The following sections discuss how acupuncture addresses specific conditions. Take a moment to review this information and please feel free to Contact Us with any questions.
Pain Relief
If you have acute or chronic pain, we want you to know that acupuncture can help, even when other interventions have failed to bring relief. In the United States, acupuncture is best known for the control of pain.
Allergy Elimination
Tired of living with allergies? Believe it or not, you don’t have to! In 1983, after suffering for years with severe allergies, Dr. Devi Numbudripad found a drug-free, natural solution to eliminate allergies and sensitivities to foods, pollens and chemicals. She wrote Say Goodbye to Illness and began teaching NAET – Numbudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques.
Bio-Mat
The Bio-Mat is a revolutionary healing tool that combines the health enhancing benefits of far-infrared light and negative ion technology with the healing power of amethyst crystals. It not only encourages a state of deep relaxation but is also proven to improve circulation and cardiovascular function, improve immune system function, relieve pain and stiffness, improve skin, remove bodily toxins and increase metabolic processes. The Bio-Mat is FDA approved as a medical device and endorsed by NASA for its normalizing effect on important physiological functions such as those described above.
Cupping / Gua Sha
Cupping involves placing glass suction cups on the skin. This increases the microcirculation and relaxes muscles that are tight or in spasm, helping to relieve pain.
‘Gua Sha’ is perhaps the most dramatic treatment we use for the relief of neck and shoulder stiffness and pain. It is remarkably simple yet effective. The skin is coated with a liniment (we use Tiger Balm), and then briskly rubbed with a ceramic soup spoon. It is understood that the pressure and stroking motion dislodge the encapsulated waste products and draw them to the skin surface where they may be eliminated from the body altogether. Patients will generally report a 50-90% reduction of pain and stiffness immediately upon conclusion of the treatment.
Chinese Herbology
Chinese herbal medicine is a comprehensive form of medicine that can effectively address a wide variety of conditions. More than 100,000 different herbal prescriptions have been used and tested over many hundreds of years.
Herbal treatments are gentle and natural and promote a balancing or regulating effect on the body. Because they work gently, herbs are very effective for sensitive or delicate patients such as infants, elderly patients, and pregnant women.