What is Acupuncture and How does it work?
Acupuncture is an essential part of Oriental Medicine, a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history of over 3,000 years. Oriental Medicine includes: acupuncture, Moxibustion, Chinese herbology, cupping, gua-sha, dietary therapy, lifestyle counseling, bodywork and exercise based on traditional Oriental principles such as Tai ji and Qi gong.

As a system of medicine it uses natural laws and energetic principles based on Taoism rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine.

Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (a fine, essential substance which nourishes and constructs the body) through distinct channels that cover the body somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels. According to this theory, acupuncture (the insertion of micro-fine needles into specific points) adjusts the flow of Qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or super-abundant. In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body.

Those who receive acupuncture often not only heal physically, but experience new and profound states of peace, clarity and harmony through treatment which often has a lasting impact.

A common sequence of events is that after the initial acupuncture treatment, there is a fairly dramatic improvement, lasting perhaps 2 or 3 days. Subsequent treatments tend to give relief over a longer period of time. Ideally patients become symptom free after perhaps 8 to 10 treatments. A small number of patients may initially experience a worsening of symptoms; this is not unusual and is no need for alarm.

Why Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has traditionally been used as a preventative medicine. Recent research has now verified that acupuncture stimulates immune function which increases your resistance to bacterial and viral infections. Acupuncture can dramatically increase overall vitality and energy. It treats underlying causes, and promotes a deeper kind of healing. Its effects profoundly changes people’s lives on the emotional level as well. Many people find that an occasional acupuncture tune-up is the best medicine to feel “in sync” and insure continuing health.

Acupuncture treatments may be used along with other medical care to great advantage. It has also been used for pain control after other medical or dental procedures, for improving healing and to lessen the side-effects of some drugs.

Acupuncture is not generally recommended as the primary treatment for severe infections, cancer and heart failure. However, acupuncture has been found useful in studies outside the U.S. for easing the effects of chemotherapy and of pain in advanced cancer patients.

The Acupuncturist’s approach is to treat the “person first”, not just the symptoms. The result being, the root cause of disease is being treated. Many acupuncturists listen to you extensively regarding your history and life patterns during the initial examination. Practitioners are particularly trained to observe very subtle signs and symptoms which are thought of as insignificant or often overlooked by Western medicine.

What should I Expect?
On your first visit most practitioners will listen carefully to you in an extensive interview which provides vital clues to an overall pattern of health or disease. The acupuncturist will feel the subtle variations in the pulses in both wrists to determine a wealth of information about how the body is functioning. Sound of voice, the condition of the tongue, overall appearance of face and skin, emotions-are all important indicators of your condition. Particular patterns are discerned to determine which acupoints on the body to use.

Before Treatment: Wear loose clothing and try to schedule your activities so that you do not come into treatment with a full stomach , empty stomach or after eating upsetting food, just after sexual activity, feeling emotionally upset or extremely tired.

During Treatment: Relax. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment. Also mention how you feel (cold, warm, feel like crying, etc…).

After Treatment: Take it easy and assimilate the effect of the treatment for a few hours, if possible. At least do your best not to be “very busy” and/or strenuously exerting.

Wait at least an hour to eat a full meal.

If you are taking any prescribed medication or change your medication at any point during treatment, let us know immediately.

Help yourself by getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, recreational exercise as well as trying to avoid or reduce stressful situations and the use of caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs.

Try to follow any lifestyle recommendation as well as taking your herbal formulas -it is a main portion of Oriental medicine.

How does Acupuncture feel?
People experience acupuncture needling differently. Prior to treatment, many people do not believe that acupuncture can be painless. Most patients feel no pain at all and others feel minimal pain as the needles are inserted at certain acupoints. Once the needles are in place, different sensations like, warmth, pressure, numbness, “heaviness,” slight tingling, itchiness or “buzzing,” may be felt. The energetic sensations may be surprising, strange or unfamiliar but many comment that the feeling is pleasant, relaxing and sometimes euphoric.

Most people are surprised (and relieved!) To learn that acupuncture needles are very thin-about the size of a strand of hair and that they are solid-nothing is injected through them. The needles are made of stainless steel and disposable. Over the centuries, acupuncturists have obtained very refined needle insertion techniques enabling them to insert a needle with little or no sensation. After the insertion, the subtle manipulation will stir the energetic sensations described above. After the treatment, most find themselves at a state of profound peace.

What Does Acupuncture Treat?
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and Oriental medicine’s ability to treat over 43 common disorders including, but not limited to:

Neurological: Headaches, Migraine, Neuralgia, Post-operative pain, Post-stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Facial pain, Diabetic Neuropathies, Bell’s Palsy, Shingles, and similar conditions.

Musculoskeletal: Shoulder & Neck pain, Back pain, Sciatica, Disc problems, Soft tissue injuries, Muscle cramping, Traumatic injuries, Sports injuries, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and similar conditions.

Digestive: Abdominal pain, Hyperacidity, Chronic diarrhea, Indigestion, Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, and similar conditions.

Eye, Ear, Dental: Eye Fatigue, Tinnitus, Sore Throat, Toothache, Post-extraction pain, TMJ, and similar conditions.

Respiratory: Sinusitis, Common Cold, Tonsillitis, Bronchitis, Allergies, Asthma, and similar conditions.

Gynecological: Infertility, PMS, Cramps, Endometriosis, Menopausal symptoms, Yeast Infection, and similar conditions.

Emotional: Trauma, Hypertension, Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, Nervousness, and similar conditions.

Auto-Immune Disorders: Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and similar conditions.

Other: Weight Control, Addictions, Chemical Dependency, Regulation of heart rate and Blood pressure, and similar conditions.

Facial Rejuvenation Explained:
Facial Rejuvenation is a holistic treatment beginning with a health history interview leading to a Chinese Medicine diagnosis and discussion on where to focus treatments. Using a mixture of acupuncture to increase Qi and blood circulation until total relaxation is achieved and Biopuncture to detoxify at the cellular level and increase collagen and elastin production, thereby, dramatically improving facial texture, tone, color and overall appearance of the face.

Once a diagnosis and treatment plan has been determined fine needles will be placed in the face and body. This treatment is customized to affect the entire body and restore balance. After the acupuncture, Biopuncture will begin with micro-injections using homeopathic remedies to increase collagen, elastin and detoxify at the cellular level improving muscle tone. The treatment concludes with an aromatherapy medical massage used to increase circulation and relax the muscles surrounding the face.

Generally, a course in treatment consists in 12 weekly treatments with subtle changes in the first three treatments and more dramatic improvements from the fourth to the tenth week. The last two weeks will provide more subtle changes and treatment retention. Maintenance shall be once monthly following the first course of treatment.

Please come to the treatments with a freshly cleansed and moisturized face and wearing loose, baggy clothing. If you are over-sensitive to the micro-injections, topical lidocaine creams are available for use prior to treatments.

Biopuncture Explained:
Biopuncture is also called Acupuncture Injection Therapy and consists of shallow (subcutaneous) micro-injections using homeopathic remedies, vitamins and herbs for the purpose of pain relief, mesotherapy, facial rejuvenation and vitamin deficiencies.

Injections of pre-manufactured homeopathic medicine that have been formulated with many ingredients to specifically treat conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, sprain/strain, tendinitis, general inflammation, headaches and neuralgia-nerve pain in any location of the body.

Mesotherapy is non-surgical cosmetic injections used to eliminate cellulite and promote weight loss using homeopathic remedies and/or injectable vitamins. Facial Rejuvenation also falls within this category with an increase in collagen and elastin production and cellular detoxification to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines.

Please call 407-965-3065 for an appointment.