What is Acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body. This process stimulates the movement of energy within the body, allowing the natural healing processes to take place.

Acupuncture along with Chinese medical botanicals, and Massage are integral parts of Eastern medicine. Eastern medicine is holistic and treats the body as a whole rather than treating the symptoms. Energy called Qi, the body’s vital energies circulate in the channels throughout the body and over its surfaces. These channels are rivers of energy, which can also be referred to as meridians. The Chinese have mapped out and identified 71 channels in the human body. These are a series of interconnected pathways. Each of the major organs in the body is associated with its own channel system. Through this network of channels, the internal organs are connected to certain areas of the body including the muscles, bones, joints, and other organs.

Along these pathways are acupuncture points which are locations which posess a specific action on the body’s vital energy. Acupuncture points are specific points along the channels where the Qi is both concentrated and accessible. Acupuncture engages the Qi by inserting needles at these specific points, the goal being to restore the proper flow of energy.

A skilled practitioner can utilize these points in different combinations to restore balance to stimulate and regulate the body’s natural healing and energy systems. The practitioner inserts sterile, disposable and very thin acupuncture needles and their insertion is virtually painless. Sometimes it feels like a quick pinch that rapidly subsides. You may feel a heaviness or fullness or pressure at the points, or a spreading warmth, or zinging, as if something is flowing. The treatment is usually very relaxing. Many patients nap or rest and afterward you can expect to feel more energy, less pain or stress, and a heightened sense of well-being.

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What health conditions do we treat with acupuncture?

Clinical studies show that Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can successfully treat many conditions. It is effective at treating chronic pain, including low back pain, headaches and depression to name a few. Below is a small selection of the wide variety of conditions Chinese Medicine can treat:

Allergies
Autoimmune disorders
Asthma
Anxiety
Bronchitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Crohn’s Disease
Constipation/Diarrhea
Degenerative Diseases
Depression
Digestive Issues
Eczema/Skin Disorders
Fertility Issues
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
Flu/Common Cold
Gynecological Disorders
Hypertension
Irregular periods
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Low back pain
Migraines/Headaches
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual Cramps/Pain/PMS
Neurological Conditions
Osteoarthritis
Stroke Rehabilitation
Sciatic Pain
Sleep disorders/Insomnia
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Tension Headaches
Urinary Problems