I have treated many people that have a needle phobia. The needles, or pins, are extremely thin (the size of a horse hair!). In fact 20 acupuncture pins can fit into the tip of a hypodermic needle (the kind that draws blood or administers injections). The response I usually get from patients after the first pin is inserted is, “Oh that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” A majority of the time, no sensation is felt at all as the tiny pin is quickly inserted. Sometimes certain sensations are felt that have been described as: buzzing, tingling, a slight throb or dull ache, warming, cooling, or heavy. If any of these feelings become too overwhelming and prevent you from relaxing, I am always close by to adjust the pin as needed. These sensations are all wonderful! You are feeling the qi, and this tells us that your body is responding very well to the healing signals.
If you still don't want to even give the horse hair size pins a try, we offer a 30 minute appointment, that includes an energetic reading and consultation only, so no pins at all.
WHAT IS THE THEORY?
The Interview Process:
During your first acupuncture treatment, we will go over your health history and focus on what health issue(s) you would like to address. We will address up to two health complaints during your first treatment, and up to three with each follow up treatment.
Initial and follow up treatments are one hour long. All patient information is protected by HIPAA.
Taking the time to ask you detailed questions about each of your body’s system allows me to specialize your treatment. Chinese medicine teaches us that one disharmony in our body may be affecting another - the body, mind, and spirit cannot be separated. This is what sets Chinese medicine apart from most western treatments. After we get a good understanding of your unique case, we begin the treatment.
Treatment:
During the acupuncture treatment, you will rest on a comfortable table with calm music in the background. I will then insert 10-30 pins dependent upon your specific needs. These are usually located anywhere from your knee to your foot and your elbow to your hand. Sometimes other modalities are used such as cupping, tuina (Chinese massage), moxa, or others.
I then offer an energetic reading. At this time, we see if there are any additional steps that should be added to your treatment to aid your healing process. I may recommend nutritional changes, herbs or supplements, that another holistic modality be used, or other additions to fit your specific needs.
After all of the pins are placed in the proper acupuncture points, you will relax on the table for 30-45 minutes. Many patients fall asleep and enjoy a peaceful slumber. If you don’t fall asleep, it’s likely you will feel extremely relaxed. Many patients express feeling peaceful and rejuvenated at the same time.
During your first treatment, I make sure to make your health history a priority. Because of this, your time with the needles may be closer to 20 minutes instead of the 30-45 minutes experienced during follow up appointments. If you would like a longer treatment time, inquire when making your appointment and we will adjust the time and price accordingly.
What should you expect during your treatment?
what disorders does Acupuncture treat?
how does it work?
Still curious to try it... but you hate needles?
acupuncture can treat Any non emergency health complaints!
From the World Health Organization's list:
In 2003 the National Institutes of Health (NIH)& the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report called “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.” The list below are the conditions mentioned in that report.
Our bodies have an innate intelligence to return to a balanced state (homeostasis), and that is what we are doing by acupuncture,
herbal supplements, lifestyle and nutritional changes, is returning your body back to a more balanced state.
If you have an aliment that is not listed above,
please call to see how acupuncture can bring you relief.
There are many more aliments that are not listed above that
acupuncture has been known to treat over the last 2,000years-
Acupuncture uses very small, one-time use, surgical stainless steel needles to stimulate specific points. There are 365 primary points (and hundreds other secondary points) that are located on meridians throughout the body. Stimulation of these points frees the flow of energy within the meridian system preventing blockages/pain/disease from occurring, and allows the innate intelligence of the body to return itself to a balanced state.
ACUPUNCTURE:
-Increases circulation by opening the blood vessels
-Reduces inflammation and fever
-Relaxes the nervous and muscular system
-Increases white blood cell count to boost immunity
-Activates the release of the body's natural painkillers & oxytocin
-Reduces stress
-Activates the body's innate and powerful ability to heal.
Chinese medicine has been its own medical system for over two thousand years, and acupuncture is a part of the infinity within Chinese medicine. This ancient medicine dictates that true health occurs when there is a balance of the yin and yang aspects within our bodies. This occurs when every physical and non physical element is in balance and in free flow. Western medicine recognizes this process as homeostasis.
The yin aspects of our bodies include rest and the parasympathetic nervous system. In contrast, the yang aspects of the body include activity and the sympathetic nervous system. When the yin and yang aspects in our bodies are not in balance, dis-ease occurs. We can get sick from having too much of something (excess) or not enough (deficiency), or a combination of the two.
When we get sick from a deficiency, this means we are missing vital substances that keep us healthy. These substances include: 1) qi (pronounced “chee”), anything non physical with in us, which can be thought of as our life force, energetic field, the electricity and pressure in our cardiovascular or nervous systems; 2) blood, any physical matter, which is generated from our food; 3) yin (rest) and yang (activity); and 4) essence, including hormones and genetic factors. When there is a lack of these substances, it means the body simply doesn’t have enough fuel to complete its job of keeping us healthy.
When an excess is causing dis-ease, Chinese medicine treats what is called “pathogens” meaning the dis-ease is coming from an outside source. There are six pathogens that can cause disharmony: 1) heat, which presents as inflammation; 2) cold, which may include degenerative disorders or pain that worsens in cold weather; 3) damp, which is mostly linked to bacterial disorders; 4) phlegm, including nodules and most cancers; 5) dryness, occurring when there is a lack of fluids, and 6) wind, which includes most colds, flus, and any disorder that changes rapidly. These pathogens block the flow of the vital substances.
Conditions of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth
Acute conjunctivitis
Central retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract (without complications)
Toothaches, post extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Spasms of esophagus and cardiac
Irritable bowel and colitis
Gastroptosis
Acute and chronic gastritis
Gastric hyperacidity (i.e. acid reflux)
Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)
Acute and chronic colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea
Acute bacillary dysentery
Paralytic ileus
Gynecological Conditions
Infertility *
PMS
Dysmenorrhea
Menopause syndrome
Benign irregular menstruation
Benign amenorrhea
Cardiovascular Conditions
Essential hypertension
Other Conditions
Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs
Appetite suppression
Psychological Conditions
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
PTSD
Somatization disorder
Hypersomnia
Insomnia
Neurological Conditions
Headache and migraine
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)
Paresis following stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Meniere’s Disease
Nocturnal enuresis
Cervicobrachial syndrome
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Intercostal neuralgia
Disc problems
Musculo-skeletal Conditions
Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendinitis, contractures
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Work and sports related injuries
Low back and/or neck strain
Osteoarthritis
“Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
Sciatica
Respiratory System Conditions
Acute sinusitis
Acute rhinitis
Common cold and allergies*
Acute tonsillitis
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma