Acupuncture Information

Acupuncture is a safe and effective healing art backed by more than two thousand years of practice and research. Generally, people find an acupuncture treatment to be a relaxing experience 

Your First Visit

Generally, your first visit is longer than your follow up visits or at the very least it entails quite a bit of questioning.Some practitioners will not treat at all on the first visit, while others have very succinct questions and begin treating once they have made a diagnosis

Your Diagnosis and Treatment

After the initial questioning and the checking of your pulse and tongue, your practitioner will form a diagnosis, treatment plan and begin the acupuncture treatment.

Needles and Adjunctive Techniques

   ¤ What are the needles like?
The needles used within acupuncture are both sterile and extremely thin. We use one time disposable sterile needle only. 

   ¤ What other techniques may be part of my treatment?
Acupuncture is simply one facet of oriental medicine. Within an acupuncture treatment an acupuncturist may choose to utilize various adjunctive techniques depending on your condition and their training. These may include the following: 
      
      • Electro-Acupuncture - the acupuncture needles are stimulated with an electric charge delivered from a machine. This is used often and effectively in patients dealing with pain
      
      • Moxibustion - this involves the burning of an herb - Artemesia Vulgaris - either on the top of a needle or on the skin directly. This is used often in patients who are dealing with cold or stagnant conditions such as certain types of abdominal cramps.

      • Cupping - this involves the use of glass or plastic cups which are placed on the body with suction to help remove toxins and muscle tension. They are used often in patients with immune issues such as a cold as well as for pain.

      • Tuina - this is essentially massage that is targeted towards the meridians and acupuncture points. It is used for a wide variety of conditions.

Prognosis and Treatment Plans

A definitive prognosis is always difficult to formulate, especially following an initial consultation. After the first 2-3 treatments, however, your acupuncturist should have a good understanding of your condition and be able to offer you a reasonable idea of how many treatments you will need.

Condition Commonly Treated

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective in treating a range of health problems including many chronic conditions.These treatments can help reduce stress and can be used as a form of preventive medicine.Some conditions commonly treated are:

           • Allergy
           • Headache and migraine
           • Arthritis
           • Asthma 
           • Back & Chronic Pain
           • Gynecological Problems
           • Infertility
           • Chronic Fatique
           • Anxiety 
           • Stroke
           • Depression
           • Colitis
           • Skin Disorders
           • Insomnia
           • Addition to Drugs
           • Ulcers
           • Common Cold
           • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal medicine is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine which also includes the practice of acupuncture and Tuina (massage). Herbal medicine has been used in China for centuries and is backed by a long and rich history of development, use and research. Chinese herbal medicine is unique in that the diagnosis and treatments are based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine. Herbs administered within Chinese herbal medicine are usually raw and cooked into a tea, in a powder form and taken with hot water or in a pill form. Herbs are generally easy to administer and cost-effective and when properly prescribed and used, have the advantage of being relatively free of side effects when compared to western pharmaceutical medicines.