What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a complete, safe and effective medical protocol focused on correcting imbalances of energy (qi) in the body. Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture has been used traditionally to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as to improve and optimize health and wellbeing of body, mind and spirit. It is the practice of inserting thin, single-use, sterile needles into specific body points which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation. There is an abundance of other modalities within East Asian medicine that can be incorporated alongside acupuncture or as stand-alone treatments including cupping, moxibustion, guasha, healing sounds and tuning forks.
What does it feel like?
Normal sensations while the needles are retained include, but are not limited to the following: tingling, burning, numbness, dull ache, heavy sensation, distending, muscle spasm, twitching, involuntary movement, feeling of floating or water flowing through the body.
Most patients experience a deep sense of relaxation and calm, even to the point of falling asleep. Rarely, symptoms may become exacerbated for a short period but this is considered a positive sign as it demonstrates the body is responding.
Treatments
Acupuncture can be received as often as daily (as is common in China) or as little as every 4-6 weeks for maintenance and prevention. Acute conditions typically respond favorably after only two or three treatments, and chronic conditions may require more treatments to experience a noticeable effect.
Contrary to our Western beliefs, fewer needles and less time is actually of greater benefit than more needles and longer treatments. When less needles are used it directs the energy more specifically to address the issues at hand.
The Neuro-Acupuncture style we specialize in can be incorporated in a flow of 4-5 treatments a week for 2 weeks and then take a break for a few months and repeat.