Acupuncture is a healthcare modality developed in China over 2,500 years ago. Acupuncture promotes natural healing and improves many physiological functions by the insertion of sterilized and disposable stainless-steel needles that are as fine as a human hair into specific points located near or on the surface of the skin. Modern science has revealed that when stimulated by the needles, these specific body points can influence various biochemical and physiological functions which in turn, affect changes in the body. Acupuncture influences the body’s various systems’ ability to balance itself: hormonal, digestive, circulatory, neurological, muscular and mental.
Recent electromagnetic research confirms the location of the points that were developed centuries ago. The basic foundation for Chinese Medicine is that there is a vital energy flowing through the body called Qi (pronounced chee). This energy flows through the body on different channels known as “meridians” that connect all of the body’s major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked. Like an irrigation system on a farm, if the water is not flowing properly through the irrigation waterways, the crops will not be properly nourished and will be unhealthy.
What acupuncture can treat
Acupuncture is helpful in alleviating the symptoms of most conditions. Please see the list on the conditions treated page or call our office to ask about your specific concern.
Is it covered by my insurance?
Many health insurance companies cover acupuncture and our clinic participates with several insurance programs. Please see our financial policy under Practice Policies for more information.
What to expect during my visit
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis is based upon a thorough examination and consultation. The patient’s current medical condition and medical history are taken into consideration when determining the treatment. The examination also includes the assessment of the patient’s pulse, tongue and ears, etc., which according TCM, reveal a large part about a person’s health. Once a diagnosis is made, the acupuncturist chooses the appropriate acupuncture points for treatment. Each regular treatment needs approximately 30-45 minutes. If it is your first visit, including consultation and treatment, expect to be in the office for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Does acupuncture hurt?
An acupuncture needle is 25-50 times thinner than a hypodermic needle. The needles are so thin that it is like a piece of hair. Some people feel nothing when the needle is inserted; others feel a brief moment of fullness, heaviness, tingling and warm or electrical sensation. Different parts of the body have different sensitivity to the needles. “But it’s no big deal,” say many patients.
Our clinic only uses disposable needles
Acupuncture needles used in the US are sterilized stainless-steel needles. We use disposable needles only.
How many treatments will I need?
This varies from patient to patient. There is typically a course of treatments, which will be discussed with you upon your initial appointment. Some patients feel improvement after the first treatment, but most of the improvement is typically noticed between 5-15 treatments.
Adjunctive Treatments
If medically needed, our acupuncturists are trained in numerous adjunctive modalities to acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture may be utilized where acupuncture needles are connected to a tens type unit which distributes an electrical impulse. Acupressure and Tui Na is a Chinese bodywork therapy that utilized specialized pressure and rolling techniques upon the acupuncture points. This clinic also uses infrared heat lamps when indicated in conjunction with acupuncture treatments.