About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into strategic points on the body to achieve overall wellness. This technique developed over 2,500 years ago and takes a holistic approach that views the body as a self-healing mechanism. All the symptoms that you're feeling come down to one root diagnosis: an imbalance between internal organs, and/or pathology that has made it's way into your body. Acupuncture works to correct these imbalances and pathologies thereby supporting your body's natural ability to heal itself.
You and I are a team. That means that you have as big a role in your healing as I do. Think of it this way: you want to go to the supermarket but there are large tree branches blocking your path. Too large for you to move on your own. What do you do? Call the town, they remove the branches, and then you can travel to the supermarket. Your heath is no different. You have your goal in health, you call your friendly neighborhood acupuncturist, I help remove the obstacles in your path, but you must travel on that path to obtain your goal. Your health is your responsibility, and your healthcare team is here to support you.
You and I are a team. That means that you have as big a role in your healing as I do. Think of it this way: you want to go to the supermarket but there are large tree branches blocking your path. Too large for you to move on your own. What do you do? Call the town, they remove the branches, and then you can travel to the supermarket. Your heath is no different. You have your goal in health, you call your friendly neighborhood acupuncturist, I help remove the obstacles in your path, but you must travel on that path to obtain your goal. Your health is your responsibility, and your healthcare team is here to support you.
What to expect
Your initial visit with me will run from 1.5-2 hours. That might sound crazy but it's because I do a very detailed intake. I want to learn your whole life story so I can better understand where you are now and how I can help you.
Follow-up visits are usually about 1 hour (Facial Acupuncture will generally take about 1.5 hours). We'll talk about how the previous treatment went, how you're feeling today, and the get the run down of all your bodily functions. And when I say all, I mean ALL. Get used to talking about poop.
Within every treatment, I will also look at your tongue and feel your pulses. This will tell me what's going on internally and explain why you're feeling the way you're feeling. This is also what informs my diagnosis and treatment plan. Also note that your treatment isn't limited to needling. Acupuncturists also use moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, electrical stimulation, liniments, dietary and lifestyle counseling, and many other techniques to provide a treatment unique to you and how you heal.
Come in something comfortable, bring an open mind, take a deep breath, and relax. I'll be with you every step of the way.
Follow-up visits are usually about 1 hour (Facial Acupuncture will generally take about 1.5 hours). We'll talk about how the previous treatment went, how you're feeling today, and the get the run down of all your bodily functions. And when I say all, I mean ALL. Get used to talking about poop.
Within every treatment, I will also look at your tongue and feel your pulses. This will tell me what's going on internally and explain why you're feeling the way you're feeling. This is also what informs my diagnosis and treatment plan. Also note that your treatment isn't limited to needling. Acupuncturists also use moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, electrical stimulation, liniments, dietary and lifestyle counseling, and many other techniques to provide a treatment unique to you and how you heal.
Come in something comfortable, bring an open mind, take a deep breath, and relax. I'll be with you every step of the way.
What does acupuncture help?Back in the day, acupuncture was general medicine and was used to treat everything from colds to cancer. Here are some of the more popular reasons people seek acupuncture today:
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Further readingThere are many studies being conducted on acupuncture but here are a few articles that discuss some of the conditions listed to the left:
Letter of Recommendation: Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Your Brain Acupuncture for Stress and Depression Acupuncture for Autonomic Disorders Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Crohn's Disease Moxibustion for IBS Acupuncture for Diabetes Acupuncture for Obesity Acupuncture and Cancer Care Acupuncture Helps With Cancer-Related Fatigue Acupuncture for Infertility Acupuncture for Dancers |
Finding the Right Acupuncturist
Whether you are in physical or emotional pain, facing a life threatening illness or simply want to keep yourself balanced, acupuncture can help. It is important to understand, however, that there are many different styles and needling techniques that are layered with the practitioner's own style and qi (energy) to create a treatment. If something isn't working, don't blame acupuncture. Finding the right acupuncturist is like finding the right medication and dose, you have to keep trying until you find what jives with you.
Whether you are in physical or emotional pain, facing a life threatening illness or simply want to keep yourself balanced, acupuncture can help. It is important to understand, however, that there are many different styles and needling techniques that are layered with the practitioner's own style and qi (energy) to create a treatment. If something isn't working, don't blame acupuncture. Finding the right acupuncturist is like finding the right medication and dose, you have to keep trying until you find what jives with you.
Wise words to consider from tryacupuncture.org:
"Obviously, you would be horrified to learn that your surgeon didn’t have a medical license or if your chiropractor only took a 24 hour course on adjustments. This is no different than visiting an acupuncturist who completed a crash course in the field. More than 50% of acupuncture providers (chiropractors, physicians, and other healthcare providers included) are practicing with a certification after only 300 hours of abbreviated training or much less, a portion of which was home study, and no actual clinical experience. As some of you know, a licensed acupuncturist has more than 2,000 hours of education in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, has accrued hundreds of hours of supervised clinical experience, maintains continuing education requirements, and successfully passed the national exam or equivalent state board."
