ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture uses small needles placed at specific points to restore balance to the body and promote overall wellness. This traditional Chinese medicine has been around for centuries and has gained popularity in western medicine as a low-risk treatment option for several conditions. Acupuncture can be used on its own or in adjunct with other care options such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, and massage therapy.

​

What Does Acupuncture Treat?

​

• Low-Back Pain, Neck Pain, Knee Pain, Headaches, Sciatica, Herniated Discs, Spinal Stenosis, CRPS, Degenerative Discs, Facet Syndrome, Diabetes Pain, Arthritis, Piriformis Syndrome, Bursitis, Migraines, Tendinitis, Tissue Instability, TMJ Pain, Rheumatoid Pain, Cancer Pain, Shingles Pain,Osteoarthritis.

​

The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least 2000 years, making it one of the oldest and long-standing health care systems in the world. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural, and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds. Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes. It focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment.

​

How does acupuncture work?

​

Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body's meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.

​

What is qi & how does it affect the body?

​

When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or "life energy" flows through the body's meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through observable signs of bodily dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to the medical history, general constitution, the pulse and the tongue.

​

As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

​

• Provides drug-free pain relief

• Effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments

• Treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms

• Provides a holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind, and emotions

• Assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being

​

Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:

​

• Neurological conditions such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, sequelae of poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, noises in the ears, dizziness, and Meniere's disease.

• Cardiovascular disorders such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and muscle cramps.

• Respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.

• Digestive system disorders such as toothache, post-extraction pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, spasms of the esophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyper acidity, gastritis, heartburn, hiatus hernia syndrome, flatulence, paralyticileus, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, liver and gallbladder disorders, and weight control.

• Urogenital disorders such as cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

• Gynecological and obstetric disorders such as premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse of the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, and morning sickness.

• Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue and resultant adhesion, hair loss and dandruff.

• Eye conditions such as visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes, conjunctivitis, simple cataracts, myopia in children, and central retinitis.

• Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, shoulder and neck pain, cervicobrachial syndrome, 'frozen shoulder', and 'tennis elbow'.

• Sporting injuries such as sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.

• Psychological conditions such as depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.

ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE

Electro-Acupuncture is a fairly new technique compared to the legacy of traditional acupuncture. Electro-Acupuncture was originally developed to help broken bones heal quicker. Since then, Electro-Acupuncture has been shown to treat many conditions and is used by most traditional acupuncturists. The electric current added is able to expand the healing effects of needling and have been used to treat skin and neurological conditions.

GUA SHA

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that is used to treat inflammation in the body. This technique involves scrapping your skin with varying strokes to increase micro circulation of the soft tissue. Gua Sha can be used on a person’s neck, back, arms, and legs. Gua Sha has been used to treat migraines, tourette’s, perimenopausals syndrome and chronic pain.

CUPPING THERAPY

Cupping therapy is an ancient technique dating back to 300 AD. In the 1950's, cupping was established as an official therapeutic practice. Cupping involves placing suction cups on specific points of the body to relax the muscles and release toxins. Cupping is often used in conjunction with acupuncture and has recently become popular after star Michael Phelps boasted cupping as his recovery secret weapon.