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| What is Acupuncture & how does it work? |
Acupuncture is a medical system, within Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for both the treatment and prevention of disease. It was developed nearly 3000 years ago in China and its effectiveness has withstood the test of time.
This holistic medicine is rooted in the belief that healthy bodies have a constantly changing flow of energy, or "Qi", (pronounced "chi"). When the body's energy is out of balance, or not flowing well, pain or disease can result.
Many factors contribute to Qi becoming weak or blocked. These include physical or emotional stress, poor diet or inadequate nutrition, injury, sedentary lifestyle, prolonged exposure to toxins or extreme heat or cold. |
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| Is it safe? |
| When a trained acupuncturist practices acupuncture, it is very safe and generally free of any complications. |
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| What is an Acupuncture treatment like? |
On your first visit, you will be asked to provide a thorough medical history. (The medical history forms are available on this website.) I will then take your pulse, examine your tongue and palpate your abdomen and various diagnostic points on your body. All the information gathered will be used to create a Chinese medicine diagnosis and an individual treatment plan for you.
During an acupuncture treatment, sterile, disposable needles are painlessly inserted at precise acupuncture points to balance the Qi of the body. Most people find the treatments deeply relaxing and feel refreshed after their treatment. |
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| Does Acupuncture Hurt? |
| Most people who have had acupuncture would describe it as virtually painless or far less painful than plucking out a hair or getting a mosquito bite. The sensations that follow range from nothing at all, to mild tingling or slight numbness or achiness. Occasionally there is a feeling of electrical pulsations in areas distant from the site of insertion. All these sensations usually subside once the needles are removed. The needles are very fine and flexible and bear no resemblance to the needles used when receiving an injection. |
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| How long will a treatment take? |
| Your first visit will take about an hour and twenty minutes and follow-up treatments will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Your individualized treatment plan will determine the number of treatments you can expect. Acute conditions often improve after just a few sessions. Chronic conditions usually take longer to treat. |
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| Are there any side effects? |
| When performed by a properly trained and licensed practitioner, acupuncture is safe and effective, free from adverse or addictive side effects. Quite often, a sense of relaxation and well-being occurs during and after treatments. While undergoing therapy for one ailment, other problems may resolve concurrently. This is a common side benefit that again demonstrates the value of balancing the quality and quantity of energy within the entire person. |
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