What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can be described as the art of inserting needles into certain points on the body in order to restore balance. There are pathways, within the body, of vital energy or ‘qi’ that are associated with their own organs and systems. Inserting the fine sterile filiform needles act as a conduit by restoring the natural flow of energy within these pathways, therefore, enabling the patient’s own healing abilities. Chinese Medicine, also referred to as Asian/Eastern medicine, is a comprehensive medical system, thousands of years old, which focuses on balancing the whole body to obtain harmonious mental, physical, and emotional well being. This system treats a multitude of conditions, using a variety of modalities to assess, treat, and provide prognosis. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and asian bodywork therapy.

How Acupuncture Can Help You!

Think of an illness. Is it the cold or flu? Aches or pains? Gastrointestinal conditions? OB/GYN? Auto Immune?  Acupuncture can benefit any dis-ease depending on variables. It can eliminate, maintain, and/or prevent pain, illness, and dis-ease. Whether you have been chronically sick with a variety of ailments, have an acute condition, or just want to prevent illness and maintain health, Chinese Medicine is an amazing comprehensive medicine used to help create a healthy, vibrant, and balanced life.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

What is Acupuncture good for?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), conditions which acupuncture therapy has been tested in clinical trials are:

• Acute and Chronic Pain
• Arthritis
• Cancer Related Pain (Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy)
• Cardiac Conditions
• Detoxification
• Diabetes
• Digestive Disorders
• Ear and Eye Disorders

• Headaches
• Kidney and Urinary Bladder Disorders
• OB/GYN
• Mental and Emotional Health
• Male Related Conditions
• Neurological Conditions
• Respiratory Conditions
• Skin Conditions
• Sleep Disorders, Insomnia

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

• No. Most people find it relaxing! You will usually feel a tap, but not the needle itself. During this process, your practitioner may elicit a dull sensation at the site; this denotes the arrival of qi or subtle energy.

Is Acupuncture Effective? How Many Treatments Will I Need?

• Chronic issues take longer to address, while acute issues might only need several treatments. It takes time and repetition to build a foundation, the first 4-8 sessions need to be close together. Then, a re-evaluation.

How Much Does It Cost?

• It can cost more in the short run, but long term, you save abundantly in prevention! Think less sick days, less time-off work, low insurance premiums, minimal medical bills and you feel great!

  • Private:  $40-125+/session. Privacy, different therapeutic modalities, more in depth.

  • Community/Group: $15-30+/session. Public treatment area with 2+ treatment chairs. Group support, community, affordable.

  • Schools of Chinese Medicine: Cost $25-50+/session. Supervised students provide treatments. Helping students gain experience, supervised by licensed acupuncturists, affordable.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

• There are practitioners, such as chiropractors, physical therapists, doctors and dentists, who say they ‘do acupuncture’ or ‘dry needling’. This means they’ve been certified with 100-300 hours of training. This merely scratches the surface of a 5000 year old science. Chinese medicine is a deep rooted practice and working with the whole body is key to ultimate health and well-being.

  Be sure to seek the care of a Licensed Acupuncturist, who has earned a Masters Degree of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTOM) with more than 3,000 hours of clinical training.