Now offering Acupuncture

Significantly change your health without medication.

What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is only one component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is a complete and holistic medical system that can accurately diagnose, treat, and even prevent illness. TCM includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Asian bodywork, and diet and lifestyle counseling. It is based on the Chinese philosophy that a vital life force known as Qi (chee) flows through specific pathways in the body. When there is abundant Qi and it flows smoothly there is no illness and one can enjoy a healthy mind, body, and spirit. But sometimes the Qi can become deficient or stagnant. When this happens, we experience imbalances and become susceptible to pain and illness. TCM aims to restore the bodyr&squo;s balance to promote optimal health.

Over 5,000 years old, acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world and is recognized as a safe, effective, drug-free treatment for a wide variety of medical problems. It involves the insertion of pre sterilized, one time use only needles into specific points along pathways in the body known as meridians in order to balance the flow of Qi and influence physiological functions of the body. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have recognized acupuncture as effective in treating the following conditions:

How does it work?
In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. TCM likens the human body to a highly complex electrical circuit. Like any electrical circuit it must be kept in good working order if it is to function effectively. If the circuit breaks down the result is illness. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a “balanced state” and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi along pathways known as meridians. TCM theorizes that it is essential for qi, as well as blood to circulate in a continuous and unobstructed manner for good health of the mind and body. Acupuncture meridians or channels are the pathways through which the energy flows throughout the body. Acupuncture points lie along the meridians and are the points that allow entry into the acupuncture meridians. The acupuncture points provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease body’s vital substances, qi (energy) & blood, thus correcting many of the body’s imbalances.

Does acupuncture hurt?
It depends. The needle is inserted very quickly to minimize any pain. Sometimes people report feeling a slight discomfort when the needle is first inserted and some say that they don’t feel anything at all. Some people report feeling discomfort when the needle is inserted to the proper depth. Some points are more sensitive than others and occasionally you may feel a quick sharp sensation that will stop quickly. Once all the needles are inserted, most people usually become very relaxed and even fall asleep and enjoy a nap.

What should I wear?
You should wear loose comfortable clothing. Some of the most powerful points are located below the ankles and knees so you should be able to roll your sleeves and pants up past your elbow and knees. You will also need to remove your shoes and socks. Occasionally the acupuncturist may need to needle points that she can’t reach while you are fully clothed so you may be asked to disrobe but you will be draped with a top sheet and covered the entire time.

What Should I Expect For The First Treatment?
1. A lengthy interview process including questions that you may have never been asked before!
Although every acupuncturist has a slightly different interviewing process based on their training and personality, there are standard questions that most every acupuncturist will ask. He or she will begin with learning more about your chief complaint and possibly more detail about your health history. If you are on medication or under the supervision of other physicians, they will likely ask you questions about this. Then they may begin to ask you questions that may appear to be irrelevant to your chief complaint.
Questions about your sleeping patterns, digestive and urinary function, sexual function, emotional quality and basic level of stress are typical. Be prepared to disclose the frequency and quality of your urine, feces, and if you are a woman, your menstrual period. Rest assured that these questions are not meant to make you feel uncomfortable. Many conditions that manifest in a non-digestive/urinary/menstrual way (such as skin conditions) may have a basis in your basic digestive function or other apparently unrelated system. Answering these questions completely honestly will increase the accuracy of diagnosis and help your acupuncturist to craft the best treatment for you.

2. Insightful questioning and the sense that the acupuncturist is already forming an accurate diagnosis.
You will probably notice that the acupuncturist will ask you questions that you had not anticipated. Often, however, when you answer them you will see that there was an unusual finding that you hadn’t thought about. For example, the acupuncturist may ask you about your sleep even though you came in for shoulder pain. Though you weren’t prepared to talk about your sleep and perhaps hadn’t thought about it, upon considering the question you may find that your sleep has been restless and interrupted recently. This, along with other cues, will probably give you the sense that the acupuncturist has a real idea of what is going on with your body.

3. Taking of the pulse and observing the tongue.
The cornerstone of any Chinese medicine diagnosis is the pulse. While patients’ descriptions are certainly important, it is the more objective information available to the skilled practitioner that really cements the diagnosis. They will have you relax your arms and will feel your radial pulse for a minute or more on each side. Sometimes they will return to a pulse they have already felt. Every acupuncturist has a slightly different technique. This art has been practiced in some form in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It gives the practitioner information about your entire body and everything in it.
Another very important diagnostic technique is the observation of the tongue. In TCM, the tongue is thought to be a “microcosm” of the entire body. This means that the entire body is reflected onto the tongue in such a way that observing the quality of the tongue in particular areas tells the practitioner something about the corresponding area of the body. They will look at the color of the tongue body, the quality and color of the “fur” on the tongue as well as the general shape and any deviations in form. It can be a little embarrassing to show your tongue to someone you don’t know - but it is important and the acupuncturist will appreciate your cooperation.
As a quick note - it is important not to scrape or brush your tongue on the day of your treatment. Additionally, eating highly colored foods or drinking highly colored drinks (like orange soft drinks or coffee) will impede diagnosis.

4. A variety of reactions during treatment
People have a variety of reactions to acupuncture treatment. Particularly in the first treatment or after a particularly stressful or otherwise difficult time in your life - the emotional reaction can be very intense. You may feel like crying, laughing hysterically or expressing yourself in another way. Please feel free to let your emotions flow out of you. This is part of the treatment. You may also have strange or uncomfortable thoughts, see shapes/colors as if in a semi-dreaming state, or go into a true dreaming state by falling asleep!
All of these reactions are just fine and you shouldn’t stop them unless they cause you an unreasonable amount of discomfort. Your acupuncturist may help you through these reactions, but most often they will simply leave you to process what is coming up. If you feel that you need help - just ask your acupuncturist.

5. Possible restimulation of the needles and eventual removal of the needles.
Sometimes the acupuncturist will come back to restimulate the needle, producing more sensation and more Qi movement. They may use specialized techniques during this time to further encourage your body’s Qi to help in your healing process. The final removal of the needles is usually painless.

6. Discussion of the treatment, delivery of herbal formula or other recommended supplements.
After your treatment, the acupuncturist will probably discuss your future treatment options with you as well as provide you with any recommended supplements or herbal formulas. It is very important that you understand what your acupuncturist is explaining to you - if you have ANY questions at all, inform her immediately. This is particularly the case if you are being asked to use herbs and supplements.
Your supplements and herbal formula are an extremely important part of your treatment and they MUST NOT be neglected. If you find the herbs too distasteful, contact your doctor and ask him about other possibilities. But remember, though the herbs may not always taste the best they are very powerful and will help you immensely in your healing journey.

7. Scheduling of follow-up and possible contact mid-stream if the appointment is far away.
If your acupuncturist does not talk to you about your treatment plan, ask for the information. Find out when you should come back and if there is anything you should do in the meantime.

8. After the treatment.
People sometimes report feeling a bit spacey after an acupuncture treatment, and for this reason you should give yourself time to relax before driving or jumping straight into work or other duties. The work of acupuncture and related treatment usually continues for several days after the treatment as your body realigns around this “new information.”
If you are concerned about your reactions, feel absolutely free to contact your acupuncturist.