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What is Traditional Acupuncture?

Originating in ancient China, traditional acupuncture is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world. It is used by one-third of the world as a primary health care system and has been endorsed by the World Health Organization of the United Nations. This medical model is based on natural laws that describe the flow of life energy in nature and in the body. This life energy, called chi, courses through the body in channels similar to rivers that traverse the earth. When chi is not full and flowing, illness can begin. Symptoms are the body’s distress signals warning there is a problem.  If the real problem is not addressed, sooner or later more serious symptoms are likely to occur. Traditional Acupuncture treats the deeper underlying cause in addition to alleviating the symptom.

What can acupuncture treat?

Because acupuncture balances and harmonizes the whole self, it is useful in treating most conditions and in preventing illness and maintaining health. Even in those conditions  that require the special tools of Western medicine (surgery for broken bones and antibiotics for pneumonia, for example), acupuncture treatment supports and hastens healing. These are some of the conditions in which acupuncture helps people to heal themselves:

Pain Management challenges such as RSD, fibromyalgia, back problems, joint injuries or inflammation, headaches, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica.

Infertility

Breathing and lung problems such as asthma, chronic breathlessness, bronchitis, coughs, hay fever.

Circulatory  problems such as angina, chronic heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, palpitations, poor circulation, stroke, thrombosis, varicose veins.

Digestive and bowel complaints such as inflamed gall bladder, gall stones, indigestion, nausea, ulcers, vomiting, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome.

Ear, eye, nose, mouth and throat disorders such as blurred vision, chronic catarrh, conjunctivitis, deafness, dry eyes, gum problems, nosebleeds, sore throats, tinnitus.

Emotional and mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, panic attacks.

Gynecological disorders such as heavy periods, hot flushes and other menopausal problems, irregular periods, morning sickness, period pain, premenstrual tension, scanty or no periods, postnatal depression, vaginal discharge.

Sudden acute disorders such as the common cold, food poisoning, stomach upsets, influenza, mumps.

Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, urticaria.

Urinary and reproductive problems such as cystitis, incontinence, infertility, kidney stones, prostate conditions.

What can I expect when I visit an Acupuncturist?

Your First Visit

Your initial visit is designed to help your practitioner understand why you are seeking acupuncture treatment and what may have led to your symptoms. This session includes a personal and health history and continues with a physical exam,  consultation and initial treatment.

Acupuncture Sessions

Initially  you may be seen 1 or 2 times weekly in order to cultivate internal harmony which can be between treatments. As this harmony is achieved, usually after 6-10 treatments, treatment may be every other week,  every  three weeks, monthly, and eventually seasonally or when needed. Of course, frequency of the treatments varies with each individual.