ALL ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

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What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a holistic medicine that has been around for thousands of years. It is used to help heal illness and injury and improve overall well-being.  

Acupuncture is done by placing thin needles into specific points on the skin to help activate an energy in the body, called QI (pronounced chee). QI is the life force energy in the body — it helps regulate and move things in the body to keep us well.

Stress, environmental factors, lifestyle choices and genetics are some of the things that can block QI in the body. Acupuncturists use needles to unblock or move QI to help the body heal.

The acupuncturist will ask about your medical history and the reason for your visit. They will conduct a physical exam, similar to a typical doctor visit. Acupuncturists often use the pulse, tongue and abdomen as diagnostic tools. This is a way for them to find any imbalances in your body.

Based on the exam, appropriate acupuncture points are selected to treat a patient’s pattern.  They will typically treat a patient’s primary symptom as well as any other underlying conditions that may be connected.

A patient will lie down on a treatment table and the acupuncturist will put needles into various points on the body, along pathways called meridians. These are energy channels in the body. Through thousands of years of learning, Traditional Chinese Medicine has compiled very complete and complex systems of meridians. The acupuncturist puts needles into those meridians to help regulate and move the body back to homeostasis, or wellness.

Typically, sessions may go for 30 minutes depending on your treatment. The acupuncturist will usually dim the lights and put on quiet music to help you relax. It is common to fall asleep or feel deeply relaxed during and after a treatment.