What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture practitioners recognize that a person’s health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of a vital energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi flows through a series of pathways called meridians that connect to all the major organs, tissues, muscles and glands in the body. If the Qi is flowing correctly in all the meridians of the body, a person experiences health and vitality. By placing fine, sterile needles at specific acupuncture points on the body, we help activate the body’s Qi and promote general healing.

How does it work?

Acupuncture regulates circulation in miraculous ways. After determining the mechanism of the improper circulation of the area, the acupuncturist can precisely insert hair-thin needles to increase the amount of blood flow to an injured area of the body. The insertion of the acupuncture needle can cause vasodilatation in even the most stubborn and ischemic areas.In our sessions, patients can feel an effect as quickly as 20 minutes after a needle insertion.

How effective is acupuncture?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been studying acupuncture. Even though it has not been able to fully discover how acupuncture works, NIH recognizes the efficacy of acupuncture. Acupuncture can be effective in helping adult post-operative medical pain, chemotherapy, addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbows, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma and many more.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very fine, unlike those on a syringe. You may feel no pain or a slight pinch when the needles are first inserted. After a needle is inserted, you may feel a slight soreness, tingling, numbness or heaviness, but this is a sign of vital energy arriving, a positive effect of acupuncture.

Is acupuncture safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners, requiring that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires needles to be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

What is Chinese Medicine?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing, complementary and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. The foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the achievement and maintenance of health through the balance of yin and yang. Disease is caused by an imbalance leading to a blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy). Acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbs, nutrition, exercise (meditation/qi gong, tai chi) and tui-na (Asian Bodywork) are the key components of Chinese medicine to balance the yin and yang of the body and regulate one’s vital energy.

What is allergy?

Allergy is a “hyper sensitivity” or “overreaction” of the body’s immune system to certain substances. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies allergic substances as dangerous invaders and activates antibodies to defend itself, causing energy blockages and interference in communication between the brain and body via the nervous system, leading to a chain of events that can develop into an allergic response.

Allergies can have many manifestations, such as pain, arthritis, inflammation, swelling, eczema, autism, ADHD, PMS, headaches, backaches, indigestion, cough etc. All these could be symptoms of undiagnosed allergies to certain or multiple type of food and environmental substances, which we called allergens. Many disorders such as headaches, backaches, addictions, PMS, indigestion, cough, etc. are caused by undiagnosed allergies. When left untreated, allergies can lead to serious life threatening illness.

What is Allergy Elimination/ NAET?

NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) is a natural, painless, and non-invasive treatment used to permanently eliminate food and environmental allergies. NAET utilizes a combination of kinesiology, acupuncture/acupressure, and nutritional management to accomplish allergy elimination.

I’m healthy. Should I still see you?

Absolutely. The best way to be healthy is prevention. In the oldest Chinese medical classics they say, “treating disease when you are sick is like making a weapon when the enemy is near or starting to dig a well when you are thirsty.” We strongly recommend a regular visit, just as you would go to your dentist for regular teeth cleanings to keep them healthy.

​

​

​