How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture meridians are energetic channels that run throughout the body creating links between the organs, bones and tendons. They contain energy known as Qi (pronounced Chee).
When Qi gets blocked or becomes stagnant, it can cause complications which affects both physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture points are small areas under your skin where Qi gathers, creating energetic pools that are accessible with acupuncture needles.
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
Whereas the focus of Western medicine is to treat symptoms associated with a particular illness, acupuncture treats the person and not the disease. What this means is that each person experiences a unique set of circumstances that contribute to the relative state of disease and wellness. Each treatment is fine-tuned to treat every individual in the specific way that they need to be treated, based on the signs, symptoms, and circumstances they display. Based on this perspective, acupuncture can treat anything from pain to emotional disorders to hormonal imbalances by tailoring each treatment in a way that will benefit the fundamental capacity for health unique to each person.
Do I Have to Be Sick in Order to Receive Acupuncture?
Acupuncture does not only treat disease, but also treats the mind, body, and spirit of each person by enhancing digestion, relaxation, sleep, circulation, and psycho-emotional processes. Acupuncture is a highly effective form of preventive medicine through its ability to promote and maintain homeostasis.
Does It Hurt? Is It Sterile?
Acupuncture needles are as thin as a strand of hair. They are sterile, individually packaged and disposed of after each treatment. The sensations a person may feel upon insertion range from barely noticeable to a slight pinch. Acupuncture typically does not hurt and tends to promote a very comfortable, relaxed state in most people.
How Many Times Do I Have to Come?
Acute issues may resolve within just a few treatments, while chronic conditions tend to take longer to treat. Chinese medicine regards states of health and disease as unique to each person, tailoring treatment guidelines toward individual differences in response to treatment. It is recommended to initially commit to 6 sessions to evaluate efficacy and reassess treatment goals. It is important to allow however much time is needed to achieve your optimal healing.
How Long Does a Treatment Take?
The first appointment consists of an initial assessment and a treatment that can last up to one and a half hours. This will include taking your history, listening to your concerns, and answering your questions, as well as the formulation of a comprehensive mind-body-spirit assessment and diagnosis. Follow-up appointments include a shorter intake and treatment.
