Acupuncture is an ancient, effective, and noninvasive system of medical treatment that has been used over 3,000 years to help billions of people get well and stay healthy, without drugs or costly surgery. Acupuncture involves the use of fine, sterile needles to stimulate various pressure points throughout the body. These needles promote natural healing by boosting the body’s immune system and enhancing the body’s ability to heal itself.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), good health depends on our body’s vital energy, called “Qi” (pronounced CHEE). When we have abundant and free flowing Qi, we have energy and are less likely to have illnesses. Consequently when our Qi becomes depleted, we are more likely to feel sick. When our Qi becomes blocked, pain and disease may develop.

Acupuncture needles are used to access and rebalance the body’s energy. The needles can remove blockages in the body, reduce pain, increase energy, and assist our body in healing disease. Thus, allowing our energy and circulation to move more freely. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of physical and emotional problems.

Acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity. Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.

The hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing hormones. It is estimated that endorphins are 200 times more potent than morphine. This is why acupuncture works well for all types of pain in the body.

Endorphins also play a big role in the functioning of the hormonal system. The substances released as a result of acupuncture not only relax the whole body, but they also regulate serotonin in the brain, which plays a role in human and animal disposition. Thus depression, anxiety and other problems related with stress are often treated with acupuncture.

Physiologically acupuncture increases circulation, decreases inflammation, relieves pain and muscle spasms and increases T-cell count, which stimulates the immune system.

Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Some common conditions treated by Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can be found here.

No! Acupuncture needles are tiny, thin and flexible, about the size of a cat’s whisker. Patients are often surprised that acupuncture is relatively painless! They usually report that needles create very little to no sensation at all, and within a few minutes they become so profoundly relaxed that they often fall asleep during the treatment and awaken feeling very calm and refreshed.

Patients normally feel relaxed, calm but focused and energized. You may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the experience is particularly strong. Rarely but on occasion, you may also experience a short term flare-up of symptoms in the healing process. After a session, it is a good idea to take it easy and relax. Avoid big meals, vigorous exercise, alcohol, and stressful situations.

The number of visits will depend upon the duration of disease, the severity of the symptoms, and the state of your overall health. The suggested treatments will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.