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What will the sessions be like?

Initial sessions are 75 minutes long, and consist of: 

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  • Thorough intake of your health history - including a discussion of your main complaint and all relevant signs and symptoms, general diet and lifestyle habits, family health history, and medications.

  • Pulse and tongue diagnosis - practitioners of ancient China used palpation of the radial artery to diagnose patients, a practice which has continued to this day due to its clinical effectiveness.  Tongue diagnosis includes an assessment of shape, color, moisture, and texture, and can be an indicator of internal disharmonies.

  • Treatment - you will be treated on your first visit, most likely with acupuncture, but other modalities may be used such as moxibustion, gua sha friction massage, Craniosacral manipulation, Tui Na style of Chinese bodywork, and/or Reiki energy therapy.

 


Follow up sessions are 60 minutes long and consist of:

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  • Evaluation - the previous treatment and its effects will be discussed to see how far you have progressed in the healing process.

  • Pulse and tongue diagnosis - these indicators change often, and can be used over and over again to monitor your progression within the healing process.

  • Treatment - with acupuncture and other methods.

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In some cases, there will be self-work assigned for you to engage in between treatments.  This can include dietary suggestions, breathing exercises, and/or lifestyle changes.  This is a way for patients to take an active role in their own healing process, and continue the effects of treatment until the next appointment. 

What can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems.  It is a safe and effective way to manage both chronic and acute conditions.  Below are just some of the specific conditions that can be treated with acupuncture.

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Pain: 
 

  • Chronic or acute back pain

  • Joint and muscle pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Neck pain 

  • Post-operative pain

  • Knee pain

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Hip pain

  • Tennis elbow

  • Repetitive strain injuries

  • Sciatica

  • Tendonitis

  • Carpal Tunnel

  • Dental Pain

  • Migraine and headache

  • Bursitis

 

Gastrointestinal disorders:
 

  • Acid Reflux

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Abdominal bloating

  • Chronic gastritis

  • Morning sickness

  • Abdominal pain


Mental/Emotional distress:
 

  • Depression

  • Anxiety 

  • Insomnia

  • Stress

  • Fatigue

 

Women's Issues
 

  • Pre-Menstrual Syndrome 

  • Dysmenorrhea

  • Uterine pain

  • Irregular menstruation

  • Menopause management


Respiratory conditions:
 

  • Asthma

  • Seasonal Allergies

  • Sinusitis

Is acupuncture safe?

Absolutely.  Acupuncturists are trained and certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in clean needle technique, a practice that ensures the safety of both patient and practitioner.  Only sterile, single-use needles are used and disposed of immediately after removing from the patient.  The needles are hair-thin, and no longer than an inch, so there is no risk of bodily injury.

What does acupuncture feel like?

Most people don't feel any discomfort during the needling process.  If a sensation is felt at the time the needle is inserted, it may feel like a soreness or slight pain; some patients describe it as an "ant sting."  While the needles remain inserted, for approximately 10-20 minutes, you may feel some heaviness, radiating, tingling, or an achy sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy pathway.  Relaxation and a sense of well-being often occur during and after treatment.  Many patients fall asleep while the needles are inserted because of this sense of relaxation and balance.

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