Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It's based on the theory that energy called qi flows throughout the body along specific channels or meridians. Ideally this energy flows freely, however when illness or injury occur, the free-flow can become blocked or unbalanced. By stimulating specific points on the body with very thin needles, pressure, heat, electrical current or cold laser/light, an acupuncturist helps the body unblock and regulate the qi to help restore balance, thereby promoting the body's ability to heal itself.
What is Acupuncture?
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It's based on the theory that energy called qi flows throughout the body along specific channels or meridians. Ideally this energy flows freely, however when illness or injury occur, the free-flow can become blocked or unbalanced. By stimulating specific points on the body with very thin needles, pressure, heat, electrical current or cold laser/light, an acupuncturist helps the body unblock and regulate the qi to help restore balance, thereby promoting the body's ability to heal itself.
Since acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, it can be beneficial for many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Follow this link to common conditions I can treat, but please feel free to contact me about your specific health condition.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Since acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, it can be beneficial for many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Follow this link to common conditions I can treat, but please feel free to contact me about your specific health condition.
Prior to your first appointment, I will have had you complete a comprehensive intake form online through my EHR portal. Paper forms are also an option. The acupuncture intake form asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Asian medicine takes everything into account; our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to us leaves its mark.
What to Expect ...
What to Expect ...
Prior to your first appointment, I will have had you complete a comprehensive intake form online through my EHR portal. Paper forms are also an option. The acupuncture intake form asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Asian medicine takes everything into account; our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to us leaves its mark.
The number of treatments it takes to effect change in a condition depends on a few factors ... including the disease and it's severity, the duration of the illness, the frequency of the treatments and the individuals themselves. As a rough guideline a clear benefit from acupuncture is usually experienced after approximately six to twelve treatments at weekly intervals, though often a clear shift is felt within the first three sessions. It may then be advisable to come in once or twice a month to ensure the treatments hold. Generally treatment for chronic conditions takes more time, while treatment for acute conditions is shorter. For very acute situations ... a recent injury, or an acute illness ..... it is often advisable to come in twice a week for 2-3 weeks.
How many treatments will I need?
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments it takes to effect change in a condition depends on a few factors ... including the disease and it's severity, the duration of the illness, the frequency of the treatments and the individuals themselves. As a rough guideline a clear benefit from acupuncture is usually experienced after approximately six to twelve treatments at weekly intervals, though often a clear shift is felt within the first three sessions. It may then be advisable to come in once or twice a month to ensure the treatments hold. Generally treatment for chronic conditions takes more time, while treatment for acute conditions is shorter. For very acute situations ... a recent injury, or an acute illness ..... it is often advisable to come in twice a week for 2-3 weeks.
Chinese herbs are often used in conjunction with acupuncture for added therapeutic effect. While many cultures have herbal medicine traditions, the sophistication of Chinese herbal medicine is unsurpassed. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history reaching back several thousand years, and the resulting system is now used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs are often used in conjunction with acupuncture for added therapeutic effect. While many cultures have herbal medicine traditions, the sophistication of Chinese herbal medicine is unsurpassed. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history reaching back several thousand years, and the resulting system is now used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
Young people can receive acupuncture and often have excellent results with treatment. Needles can be used once a child is comfortable, however there are many other modalities I do instead of, or in conjunction with, traditional acupuncture needles. Acupressure, low-level e-stim devices, and cold lasers (light - indigo or red) are all effective, non-threatening way to stimulate acupoints. Typically we refer to the tiny needles we use as "taps" when working with children, and introduce them in a playful, natural & confident way.
Kids & Teens
Kids & Teens
Young people can receive acupuncture and often have excellent results with treatment. Needles can be used once a child is comfortable, however there are many other modalities I do instead of, or in conjunction with, traditional acupuncture needles. Acupressure, low-level e-stim devices, and cold lasers (light - indigo or red) are all effective, non-threatening way to stimulate acupoints. Typically we refer to the tiny needles we use as "taps" when working with children, and introduce them in a playful, natural & confident way.
Cupping is an ancient technique, used in many cultures, in which a special cup is applied to the skin and held in place by suction. The suction draws superficial tissue into the cup, which may either be left in place or moved along the body.
Cupping
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient technique, used in many cultures, in which a special cup is applied to the skin and held in place by suction. The suction draws superficial tissue into the cup, which may either be left in place or moved along the body.
Moxibustion involves the heating of acupuncture points with smoldering mugwort herb (known as moxa). Moxibustion stimulates circulation, counteracts cold and dampness in the body, and promotes the smooth flow of blood and qi.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves the heating of acupuncture points with smoldering mugwort herb (known as moxa). Moxibustion stimulates circulation, counteracts cold and dampness in the body, and promotes the smooth flow of blood and qi.
Palpating and stretching the meridians and using acupressure is particularly effective for conditions involving muscles, tendons and joints, orthopedic problems and sports injuries. It can also be used to treat internal diseases, stimulate acupoints, and diagnose and correct channel imbalances.
Gua Sha & Meridian Palpation
Gua Sha & Meridian Palpation
Palpating and stretching the meridians and using acupressure is particularly effective for conditions involving muscles, tendons and joints, orthopedic problems and sports injuries. It can also be used to treat internal diseases, stimulate acupoints, and diagnose and correct channel imbalances.
