What Is Acupuncture?

It is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points which has been empirically proven effective in the treatment of specific disorders. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of 2,500 years.

Acupuncture treatments correct the energetic imbalance by encouraging the body's natural ability to heal itself, without the use of drugs or surgery. Acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (chee) or Energy and Xue (shway) or Blood through the discrete channels or meridians which transverse the body, similar but not identical to the nervous and circulatory systems. According to this theory acupuncture regulates the flow of Qi guiding it to areas of deficiency and draining it from where there is excess. The purpose is to restore the harmonious energetic balance of the body. When the balance of this energy is disturbed, pain or illness results.  Acupuncture essentially promotes the free balanced flow of Qi and Blood.

Chinese acupuncture tries to illicit a strong stimulation from the needle. However, most people remark that they do not feel anything with the insertion of the needle, or they feel just a slight sensation which soon goes away. Quite a few people actually fall asleep during their treatment.
 "There is no pain if there is free flow,- if there is pain, there is no free flow." 

The needles used are disposable and come in pre-sterilized, individual packages. This assures that there is no transmission of communicable disease.

Where on the body the needle is being inserted. Essentially, a needle going into your hand just can’t go as deep as a needle going into your butt. Places that have a lot of muscle or fat lend themselves to deeper insertion; sometimes up to two or three inches. However, needles going into places like hands, feet, ears, wrists, etc. that aren’t as fleshy, may only go in a millimeter or two (less than a quarter of an inch).

I am also trained to use a number of other therapies. These typically include: moxibustion (heat), Gua Sha (scraping), Auricular Therapy (ear acupuncture), Cupping (suction), Reflexology (foot massage), Atsuikuroishi stone massage (hot stone), Acupressure, Tui na (Chinese massage), Qi Gong

Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.
**please note it is important to drink plenty of water after a treatment..