Acupuncture is the ancient Asian Art of inserting fine pins at specific anatomical locations to regulate the health of the body. The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine, of which acupuncture is a part, is that illness or pain is caused by an imbalance of Chi, the Nerve Energy or Life Force. Acupuncture points, when properly stimulated, will adjust and correct the imbalance, improving health and relieving pain. Western medicine theorizes that stimulating these points causes the body to secrete a neural or neural-hormonal substance that regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Simply, what acupuncture does is stimulate the body to heal itself. The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization recognize that acupuncture is an effective treatment for certain symptoms and illnesses.
After an examination and diagnosis, acupuncture is applied as needed to regulate the Chi of the body. My treatment technique accommodates the reluctance of some people to have acupuncture. Treatment is most often painless, and special consideration is given to” sensitive” patients.
When needed, additional point stimulation with moxibustion (the traditional application of therapeutic heat), or mild e-stim is incorporated into the acupuncture treatment.
When treatment is meant to relieve and release tight muscles, accessory techniques can be used. Massage, cupping or qua sha are the most common.