 What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture literally means ‘needle piercing,’ the practice
of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific
anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points)
for therapeutic purposes.
This activates the body’s qi and promotes natural healing
by enhancing recuperative power, immunity, and physical and emotional
health. It can also improve overall function and well being. It
is a safe, painless and effective treatment for many different health
conditions, disorders, and a wide variety of medical problems. Acupuncture
has also proven to be an invaluable tool in helping people to prevent
future health problems.
How does Acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works with the natural vital energy inherent within
all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself.
Acupuncture is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical
model of Western Medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital
energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this
energy Qi. This energy flows through the body in channels known
as meridians that both nourishes our tissues and connects our major
organs. According to Oriental medical theory, illness arises when
the cyclical flow of Qi in a meridian becomes unbalanced or is blocked,
much like a dam blocking a river. This creates imbalance and pain. Stimulating acupuncture points influences the meridians, unblocks
obstructions, and helps reestablish the regular flow of Qi through
the meridians.
Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Each
point has a predictable effect upon vital energy (Qi) passing through
it, altering various biochemical and physiological conditions in
order to achieve the desired effect. Modern science has been able
to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus confirming
the meridians mapped by the ancients.
A more scientific explanation of Acupuncture is that the stimulation
of certain Acupuncture points on the body prompts the body to release
certain hormones and chemicals that can reduce pain, regulate the
endocrine system, and calm the nervous system. Acupuncture profoundly
influences the central and peripheral nervous system directly, releases
endorphins from the brain, affects blood sugar, cholesterol levels,
and benefits the gastrointestinal system.
Some of the physiological effects observed throughout the body include
increased circulation, decreased inflammation, relief from pain,
relief of muscle spasm, and a strengthened immune system with increased
T-cell counts. Acupuncture has a positive effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary
gland, the gland that is responsible for releasing neurotransmitters
& endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing hormone.
Endorphins can have a strong pain reducing effect and also play
a big role in the functioning of the hormonal system. This explains
why Acupuncture works so well for pain relief.
Substances released as a result of Acupuncture not only relax the
whole body; they regulate serotonin in the brain, which plays a
role in a human’s psychological disposition. This explains
the mood elevating effect of Acupuncture.
What Does Acupuncture treat?
We treat the person, not the disease, so really there is no limit
to what acupuncture can treat.
The World Health Organization has issued a comprehensive list of
diseases and conditions, which are treatable by acupuncture. Some
of the more common conditions are:
Abdominal pain ,Constipation, Diarrhea, Hyperacidity, Indigestion,
Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Nervousness, Neurosis ,Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat
,Cataracts, Gingivitis, Poor vision, Tinnitus, Toothache, Gynecological,
Infertility, Menopausal symptoms, Premenstrual syndrome, Musculoskeletal,
Arthritis, Back Pain, Muscle cramping, Muscle pain/weakness, Neck
pain, Sciatica, Neurological, Headaches, Migraines, Neurogenic bladder
dysfunction, Parkinson's Disease, Post-operative pain, Stroke, Respiratory,
Asthma, Bronchitis, Common Cold, Sinusitus, Smoking cessation, Tonsillitis,
Addiction control, Athletic performance, Blood pressure regulation,
Chronic fatigue, Immune system tonification, and Stress reduction.
Is Acupuncture safe? Is it Painful?
Becoming an Acupuncturist is a lengthy and arduous process. Your
safety is assured in my trained hands. Acupuncture needles are extremely
thin (about the width of a human hair), sterile, do not have a hollow
center and are single use, properly disposed as biomedical waste.
Once I have made an assessment and chosen the acupuncture points
to be used, treatment begins. The patient lies down on my comfortable
table, each of the point locations are cleaned with an alcohol swab,
and then a sterilized acupuncture needle is inserted and left for
about 15-40 minutes.
Undergoing an Acupuncture treatment bears no resemblance to the
feeling of receiving an injection. A Qi sensation is often described
as a dull achy or heavy feeling with perhaps warmth or mild throbbing
at a particular location. Patients are often surprised at how relaxing
an Acupuncture treatment can be, and occasionally fall asleep during
treatment. Many feel no insertion at all. My policy is to work with
each patient to determine the level of sensitivity and to find alternative
techniques when necessary.
While the needles are in place, you should not move suddenly. IF
you should shift and the sensation increases, simply relaxing again
should subside any unusual sensations. Relax. Breathe. Rest. Relax
your body and mind and let the needles do their work. I will be
available in the next room should you need anything adjusted.
Depending on patient preferences and indicated treatment protocols,
massage, heat therapy, cupping, moxibustion, or various other techniques
may be applied to achieve longer-lasting results in a shorter amount
of time.
How long will sessions last? How often should I come?
The initial visit, including an intake will be 90 minutes. Subsequent
visits last 30-60 minutes and the frequency of treatments will vary
with each individual and their needs. Acute syndromes might need
two to three treatments per week and typically change faster. A
general protocol or chronic condition may take a course of sessions
totaling ten or more and may be spaced with less frequency. You’re
commitment to keeping appointments and maintaining doses of prescribed
herbs and lifestyle recommendations will influence the rate and
extent of your outcome. Once a patient realizes satisfactory results
from the treatments, they are encouraged to continue with a seasonal
maintenance schedule in order to stay in balance.
How should I prepare for an Acupuncture treatment?
Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of bacterial
infection. Wear clothing that is loose and accessible (Being able
to pull a shirt up or pants down when combined with draping makes
it simpler than having to undress into a gown). Avoid tight stockings.
Avoid treatment when hungry, overly full, emotionally upset, or
shortly after sex.
What do I do after an Acupuncture treatment?
Be good to yourself. Relax and allow the treatment to settle into
your system. Try to schedule your appointment so you do not have to rush around
directly following. Refrain from eating a heavy meal directly following or exercising
vigorously right away. A casual walk is fine, and may actually be a nice compliment to
the session.
Auricular Therapy
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
 Facial Rejuvenation, also known as Cosmetic Acupuncture, is a painless,
non-surgical method used to reduce the signs of aging. Though relatively
new in the United States, Facial Rejuvenation has been practiced
for thousands of years in China. At least as early as the Sung Dynasty
(960 AD -1270 AD), acupuncture rejuvenation practices were employed,
especially for royal families. A famous Chinese saying states: “Where
qi flows, blood flows.” By stimulating the face with needles,
the energy flow of the whole body is stimulated, allowing the person
to not only to look better, but feel better as well.
F.R. is a safe and effective alternative to plastic surgery and
Botox. Whereas Botox treatments numb the face and dull the energy
flow, cosmetic acupuncture actually brings vitality and energy to
the face, allowing for more elasticity and expression
The treatments address the physical, mental and emotional patterns
that cause disease and contribute to the aging process. F.R. helps
to alleviate fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, sagging and discoloration
of the skin, while simultaneously supporting overall health.
Treatments tighten the pores, improve muscle tone and dermal contraction,
increase collagen production and affect its distribution. Tiny acupuncture
needles are inserted into specific facial and body points, working
to increase local circulation of blood and lymph, and stimulate
the body's natural processes of cell reproduction and growth.
Facial Rejuvenation truly works from the inside out, utilizing the
body's own systems to re-energize and re-vitalize, helping bring
the beauty from within back to your appearance.
Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture may include:
- Delays facial aging
- Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, age spots
- Minimizes ‘crows feet’ around the eyes
- Tightening of the pores
- Lifts sagging skin and drooping eyelids
- Increases collagen production
- Improves muscle tone
- Reduces dark circles and puffy eyes
- Brightens the eyes
- Improves hormonal balance to reduce acne
- Improves elasticity of facial muscles
- Restores a youthful glow
- Reduction of sagging and jowls
- Improvement of facial color through increased circulation
- Moistening of the skin through increased circulation to
the face
- Lifting of drooping eyelids
- Reduction of stress evident in the face
- Emergence of one's innate beauty and radiance
Protocol
This is typically done in a 12-treatment protocol. Treatments are scheduled once or twice a week. Results last from 3 to 5 years.
Invest in your younger looking, beautiful face!
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