Feel amazing naturally.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medical care. It has been practiced in China over 2,000 years. It’s highly effective at assisting the body to naturally re-balance. Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny, thin sterilized needles into the skin at points along the meridians of qi (rivers of energy) to help restore harmony. There are many styles of acupuncture. The primary distinction is the diagnostic process and corresponding treatment plan.

During your first acupuncture appointment, we will discuss your heath history, current state of health and goals for treatment. Then the practitioner will do a comprehensive intake to determine your condition and the primary goal of the appointment.

• Physical exam will be taken, including looking at the tongue, feeling the pulse and channel palpation.
• You will rest back in a leisurely position. Needles and other techniques will be gently applied. Many people fall asleep during this process. You are left to relax for 10-20 minutes.
• Your acupuncturist will return to remove needles and if appropriate, repeat techniques on the other side of the body.
• After another 10-20 minutes, your acupuncturist will return and remove needles and finish with any other applicable techniques.

Acupuncture and moxibustion are safe when performed by a licensed acupuncturist. The most common side effects include soreness, minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. With moxibustion, burns are the most common side effect.

Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility.

Long term patients of acupuncture report:

• improved stamina and vitality
• recovering more quickly from illness
• improved physical and emotional well being
• less doctor visits

Some of the common conditions treated with acupuncture are:

• stress
• neck, low back & shoulder pain
• arthritis
• muscle pain, swelling, localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, and contractures
• headaches/migraines
• common cold
• gastrointestinal (Digestive Disorders)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• anxiety/depression/trauma
• addiction/smoking cessation
• skin conditions
• pre-menstrual syndrome
• fertility
• menopausal syndrome
• nausea
• high blood pressure/circulation
• sleep issues/insomnia
• autoimmune disorders
• allergies
• diabetes
• Bell’s Palsy
• trigeminal neuralgia
• fatigue/low energy
• cosmetic acupuncture
• pain management with acupuncture

Acupuncturists use tiny stainless-steel single-use sterile needles. Fifteen acupuncture needles can fit into a standard hypodermic needle. Many people feel no sensation when the needles are inserted. Some people feel a pinch when the needle is inserted, but after a few seconds the sensation dissipates and the patient feels nothing.

Cosmetic acupuncture is an all-natural, non-surgical method of reducing the natural signs of aging. Facial acupuncture needles stimulate collagen and elastin production resulting in reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin elasticity and a brighter complexion. Needles placed in the muscle motor points re-educate the muscles back to their original placement, resulting in a more sculpted, lifted face. Cupping and massage help to relax over-used muscles of the face and stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems. In addition to the local facial needling, body acupuncture points are included in the session to nourish the entire body and treat the root cause of facial concerns.

Facial acupuncture is performed in a series of 10-14 weekly treatments for best results. After the initial series is complete, monthly facial acupuncture is recommended to maintain appearance.

Moxibustion is the burning of the herb mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) on acupuncture points to warm the area, expel cold and increase blood flow. The practitioner may use direct moxa- small cones applied directly to the skin and lit on fire (but extinguished before it burns the skin) or indirect moxa- a cigar shaped stick of compressed mugwort lit and held above the skin.

Gua sha is the ancient Chinese technique of scraping the skin to disperse stagnant blood. Mild bruising, called petechia may appear as a result of the blood flowing to the surface of the skin. Gua sha is often used to relieve musculoskeletal pain, improve circulation and reduce inflammation, support the immune system and address upper respiratory illnesses, and release tension in areas where there is restricted movement.

For wellness acupuncture visits the number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and the severity. Acute problems may be resolved in 4-8 treatments, while more chronic conditions will require longer treatment. It is recommend for new patients to start with weekly treatments to build upon the previous one, as the condition improves, appointments are stretched out to every other week or monthly.