Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic health modality that has been used to treat a variety of health issues for thousands of years. It involves inserting and stimulating very fine needles at specific points on the body. These points connect to complex energy and nerve pathways throughout the body to promote healing. These pathways are referred to as Meridians and the energy flowing through them is referred to as Qi (pronounced Chi).

Traditional Chinese Medicine views pain and illness as a result of disruptions or blockages in these pathways. Acupuncture aims at resolving these blockages and encouraging the body’s natural healing response. It also aims at treating both the symptoms and the root causes of illness. Acupuncture performed by a trained and licensed professional is considered a safe, non-invasive, effective and drug free healing modality. It is endorsed by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment option for dozens of disorders and is now covered by many. 

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for over 50 health conditions. It involves the insertion and stimulation of very fine needles at specific points on the body. These points connect to complex energy and nerve pathways (called meridians) throughout the body to promote healing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is believed that pain and illness are often a result of disruptions or blockages of these pathways. Resolving these blockages encourages the body’s innate ability to heal. Traditional acupuncture, as practiced by a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, aims to treat both the symptoms and the root causes of disease.

What Can I Expect?

During your first visit, Lisa will complete a full health assessment and you will be given the opportunity to thoroughly discuss your concerns and health goals. Initial appointments typically last 90 minutes and include consultation and treatment. Lisa may ask a variety of questions about health and lifestyle as well as utilize traditional diagnostic methods such as looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse. Lisa may treat one or both sides of your body and will use anywhere from10-40 sterile disposable acupuncture needles. Some sensations during treatment include tingling, heaviness, or a radiating and usually last only a few minutes. Needles may be left in for 20 to 40 minutes. Other modalities Lisa might utilize include cupping, moxabustion, auricular therapy, or electro-stimulation. These treatments will be discussed further with you at the time of treatment. Treatment should be fairly relaxing and often patients enjoy a short nap.

How can I expect to feel following my treatment? 

Although everyone responds differently, some common experiences include drowsiness, relaxation, or feeling energized. You might some post acupuncture sensation at the site of insertion, and occasionally people feel a little sore. Acupuncture works by moving and improving energy flow and therefore a variety of sensations are common during the healing process.

How many treatments will I need?

Once Lisa has completed a full assessment she will share her findings and diagnosis according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. She will also give you a customized treatment plan, which may include nutritional and lifestyle recommendations, herbal prescriptions, other modalities, and suggested frequency of acupuncture treatments. The number of sessions needed will vary person to person. Chronic conditions will often take longer to heal than acute ones. Acupuncture treatments build on each other and therefore it is usually recommended that the initial treatments not be more than a week apart.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Many people do not know that acupuncture is only one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Other aspects include:

• Chinese Herbs and Formulas – usually in the form of teas or capsules, individual herbs or patent formulas are individually prescribed to treat a variety of disorders.

• Moxabustion – the use of the herb mugwort to warm joints or specific acupuncture points, which help to tonify and stimulate circulation.

• Qi Gong -an ancient Chinese practice that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused attention to promote health

• Cupping – using suction, glass jars are placed on the body to enhance circulation and immunity.

• Acupressure – applying pressure instead of needles to acupuncture points.

• Nutrition: based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, diet is an important part of restoring balance and promoting healing in the body.

• Chinese Psychology – Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes the impact emotions have on our health. It promotes the importance of managing stress and keeping emotions in balance.