What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the use of stainless-steel needles to regulate the qi (energy) of the body. By directing, unblocking, tonifying, or reducing the energy running through the body, the practitioner can improve specific body functions.

Acupuncture originated in China but has spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, and America. Different styles have developed over the centuries based on different opinions as to theory and technique. While the basic theoretical principles of acupuncture remain the same, different styles of acupuncture differ greatly in technique and diagnosis. There is no evidence that one particular style is more effective than another, but one may prefer a one style over another.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is the most common form of acupuncture studied and practiced in the United States.

Five Element Acupuncture is an ancient form of acupuncture that treats a person at the mind, body, heart, and spirit levels. By doing this, it helps patients move back into harmony with themselves, their emotions and their lives as a whole.

Japanese Style Acupuncture takes a more subtle route than TCM. Fewer and thinner needles are used with less stimulation.

Korean Hand Acupuncture uses points in the hand that correspond to areas of the body and to certain disharmonies.

Auricular Acupuncture utilizes points in the ear that correspond to areas of the body and to certain disharmonies. This system is commonly used for pain control and can be done in group settings because it can be delivered while one sits in a chair.

Electro-acupuncture Small electrical currents are run through the acupuncture needles. Electro-stimulation is often used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance a treatment, and has been proven to decrease pain, accelerate tissue healing, and significantly reduce inflammation, edema, and swelling.

How can it help?

Acupuncture can help deal with the side effects of conventional care, and can also be used to support emotional health and relaxation and prevent future disease.

What happens in an appointment?

The recipient will lie on a table either clothed or robed in a medical gown. The acupuncturist will decide how many needles to insert and where. The needles used are very thin, about the width of a hair, and are designed to not cut the skin. Needles are not always placed where the symptom is felt: needles to help with nausea may be placed in the hands or feet, even though the nausea is felt in the stomach.  Many people feel the qi arriving at the acupuncture point and experience a tingling or heavy sensation when needles are first inserted. The sensation usually dissipates and the rest of the treatment is spent relaxing on the table for 20–30 minutes in quiet or listening to healing music.