Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been proven to provide numerous benefits. Some of these include increasing circulation, decreasing pain, promoting restorative sleep, regulating your digestive tract, regulating your menstrual cycle, strengthening your immune system, and preventing disease. One of acupuncture's key benefits is that it can help your body regulate and cope with stress. Stress is a condition that affects us on many levels and is now being seen as the number one cause of most degenerative diseases in today's society. Acupuncture also has the added benefit of being able to treat multiple conditions at the same time. If you are seeking care for pain but also have sleeping issues, digestive difficulties, and blood pressure problems for instance, they can all be addressed in the same treatment. And most importantly, acupuncture is safe, natural and effective.
How does it work? Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into points along meridians on your body. Qi (pronounced "chee"), your body's energy, flows within these meridians. Stimulating the Qi can help heal a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions. There is no western medical explanation for Qi; however, there is over 5,000 years of empirical evidence proving the effectiveness of acupuncture. Does it hurt? Many people do not realize how thin acupuncture needles are. They are as fine as the hair on your head, and bend when you touch them. When needles are inserted into acupuncture points, they often produce a feeling of heaviness, like a dull ache. This is Qi. This is an unfamiliar sensation for most people, but it does not hurt. Once the needles are inserted you will not be aware of them for the remainder of your treatment. Some people even find acupuncture treatments so relaxing that they fall asleep. |
Not just for pain
It is true that acupuncture can work wonders for back, neck, shoulder, leg pain and any other pain. However, did you know that acupuncture can also alleviate digestive problems and treat autoimmune diseases as well as provide relief for stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so much more. Will I need more than one treatment? Yes. However, there are two ways that you can help reduce the number of treatments needed. They are...come in soon and often. Acupuncture is most effective at the onset of a condition so the sooner you can come in, the better. Also, acupuncture works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next, therefore scheduling your appointments more often initially will have you on the road to recovery sooner. Is there anything inside an acupuncture needle? The idea behind acupuncture is that our bodies already have everything they need to be well. Acupuncture simply taps into your internal energy source, your Qi. It doesn't add or subtract anything. So no, there is nothing in the needles....the needles simply prompt or remind your body to do what it knows how to do best - heal itself. More than just needles People know that acupuncture involves the use of needles, but did you know that there are other healing therapies that an acupuncturist can use? There are seeds, magnets, electrical stimulation, mineral heat lamps, moxa...and thanks to celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston many people have seen the visible effects of cupping. |
Side effects
Forget what you've been told. Acupuncture does have side effects. Many people who seek treatment for one issue end up experiencing benefits in other areas. The most common 'side effects' are better sleep, more energy, mental clarity, better digestion, and less stress. Come, tap into acupuncture and enjoy the 'side effects'. How long is an acupuncture treatment? An acupuncture treatment takes approximately one hour. What to expect on your first visit We will go over in detail your medical issues and background, including all of the information you have provided on your New Patient Information Form. This information, along with palpation and observation will help me determine the treatment plan that is best for you. Also, please wear loose comfortable clothing so that I can have easy access for the placement of needles. Finally, it is important to eat a little something within one hour prior to your treatment. Acupuncture is a strong, moving energy so it helps to have something in your stomach. |