Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a form of Oriental Medicine that has been used for over 3,000 years. The Chinese believe that there is an invisible life force referred to as “qi” (pronounced chee) that moves inside every living organism. When the qi becomes blocked or unbalanced there will be disharmony in the body’s processes. Acupuncture works by balancing any stagnation or disharmony in the qi’s natural flow through the body which in turn teaches the body to heal itself naturally. This involves the insertion of solid, stainless steel, hair fine flexible needles into the body to help maintain a free flow of the body’s qi. The sensation of the needles going into the skin should feel like nothing more than a mild mosquito bite. Often times patients do not even notice the insertion of the needles into the body at all. After the needles are inserted the patient may feel a dull distending or tingling sensation that designates the movement of the body’s own natural energy which may have been blocked or imbalanced in a certain area.
Acupuncture also helps the body to release endorphins, which are the body’s own natural pain killers, and balance hormone levels. Many patients find treatments very relaxing and often have more energy afterwards. Acupuncture has been recognized as an effective treatment for over forty different disorders by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), some of which include arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, stress, sleep disturbances, allergies, emotional disorders, and much more.
In addition to Chinese acupuncture, we also offer Japanese acupuncture. This style is thought to be a more gentle style than traditional Chinese acupuncture. The acupuncturist offers customized, full-body treatments that utilize a variety of techniques, such as magnets, moxibustion, and silver needle therapy. Typically, Japanese acupuncture uses thinner and fewer needles than Chinese acupuncture to minimize discomfort or apprehension you might have. Most patients feel deeply relaxed during these treatments, as the practitioner works on you the entire time. Japanese acupuncture can address a wide range of pain and musculoskeletal issues, as well as many common ailments like allergies, insomnia, hypertension, anxiety, and digestive problems.

If you are new to acupuncture, this is a great introduction to the softer side of this ancient medicine. If you are a veteran of acupuncture, this is a great opportunity to try something new and discover the benefits for yourself!

Feel free to contact us with any additional questions you may have, or for more information on acupuncture in general, visit www.acupuncture.com.