Acupuncture

Does it hurt?

The short answer is, not really. Acupuncture needles are much thinner, lighter, and less invasive than the large, hollow hypodermic needles that inject liquid under pressure into a vein or muscle. People receiving acupuncture often report that they don't feel the needles at all. At worst, the experience is similar to the quick, small pinch of a mosquito bite and immediately gives way to a sensation that we call "De Qi", which can feel like a dull pressure, warmth, or nothing at all. With the release of trigger points, you will likely feel a small twitch that signals that the trigger point has been released, which is almost always followed by immediate relief of symptoms. Most people find an acupuncture session to be mentally and physically relaxing, and some even nap during their treatment.

Needles - are they safe?

Our Acupuncturist is certified in Clean Needle Technique, and all of our sterile stainless steel needles are used once and then disposed. They are completely safe and hygienic.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture addresses one's lifestyle as a whole, and treatments are intimately tailored to each individual's unique body and needs. Chinese Medicine takes a holistic view of the human body, using the body's own self-healing capabilities to bring itself back into balance. Acupuncture does this by affecting and modulating the body's homeostatic mechanisms—the circulation of blood and lymph, nerve impulses, respiration, and natural immune response—and releasing self-perpetuating muscle contractions called "trigger points". Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the release of various neurotransmitters that promote circulation, hormonal balance, and reduced inflammation.

New patients are asked to complete a comprehensive health history form before arriving to their first appointment so that they may receive the full benefit of a private 90 minute session with the acupuncturist.

How should I prepare for my treatment?

The first visit is always the most important, as that is when you and the acupuncturist review your health history in detail. This takes time—30 to 40 minutes—so we encourage new patients to complete their online health history form well before their appointment starts.

We recommend that you eat a light meal at least an hour before treatment, are well-hydrated, and avoid caffeine two hours prior to the treatment if possible. Bring a list of your medications and supplements with you.

Dress in comfortable, loose clothing—workout shorts and t-shirts or tanks are best. Bras that unlatch are easier to work with than sports bras, as we commonly have to access the area of the back where the strap lies. It is common for the acupuncturist to access your lower legs and forearms for treatment. If access to hips, shoulders, back, or abdomen is required, we provide comfortable draping for your modesty and ours.

What Should I Expect During Treatment?

During the first treatment, you and your acupuncturist will have an in-depth discussion regarding your health history intake form, then she will perform diagnostic and orthopedic tests to determine where to place needles to achieve optimum relief. Depending upon your condition and the treatment plan she develops in this session, she may also perform a combination of Chinese Medicine techniques such as Gua Sha, Moxibustion, Cupping, or German Auricular Medicine. Active treatment time with needles or cups in place is typically 15-30 minutes, after which the acupuncturist removes the needles and/or cups and answers any questions you may have. All treatments take place while resting on a comfortable treatment table in one of our cozy, private rooms. Patients receive a buzzer to allow them to quickly alert the acupuncturist for assistance, if needed.

Follow-up appointments include a general health discussion and review of your progress so that the acupuncturist can determine which treatment(s) to implement in that session. As in the initial session, follow-up appointments typically involve 15-30 minutes of active treatment with needles or cups as well as a combination of the Chinese Medicine techniques noted above.

We recommend that you refrain from excessive caffeine consumption before your appointment so you can relax more fully during your treatment. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing that provides easy access to your arms and legs.

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need?

Your time is valuable, which is why your acupuncturist employs a one-on-one, focused, and multi-layered approach to treat you efficiently and effectively. While you will almost certainly gain some measure of relief in your first session, the recommended treatment time for an acute injury (recent stiff neck, ankle sprain, or a severe, multi-day headache) is 3-5 sessions—ideally, twice in the first and second weeks of treatment. It is important as well as efficient to treat new injuries quickly before they enter the chronic, maladaptive stage.

For chronic issues or injuries, a course of 10-12 treatments is reasonable and typically involves two sessions per week for the first two weeks with one session per week to follow. You didn't get unwell overnight, and it will take some time to retrain the nervous system and musculoskeletal system to accept a "new normal". Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, much like lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.

Treatments are ended when the patient has recovered to their satisfaction or may be ongoing to help maintain good health. Every body is different, and each individual's unique history and needs will decide his or her treatment plan.

What are Gua Sha, Moxibustion, and Cupping?

Gua sha, moxibustion, and cupping are all treatments involving implements other than needles. The acupuncturist will suggest their use depending upon your health needs.

Gua sha is similar to the long, gliding strokes used in massage, except instead of using her hands, the acupuncturist uses a variety of metal tools to manually "scrape" the skin. The skin is lubricated and slowly and firmly scraped with the gua sha tools to facilitate the circulation of blood throughout the body. Gua sha may result in some petechiae (tiny purple, red, or brown spots on the skin) and redness. Gua sha has a systemically anti-inflammatory effect and can help relieve symptoms from a number of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety, inflamed liver, and muscular pain.

Moxibustion is the practice of burning small sticks of moxa, or mugwort, near an inserted acupuncture needle. This warms the needle, thus increasing its effects. This treatment will cause the affected area to feel warmer and looser.

Cupping uses negative pressure to pull tissues up and away from the bone, which allows adhesed layers of fascia to separate and lubricate and fresh blood supply to flow to previously stagnated areas. Old injuries may still harbor deeply held areas of blood stagnation and/or sticky fascia. The fascia, which wraps all layers of body tissue including muscles, is meant to glide along. Inactivity, surgery, trauma, and emotional stress can cause layers to glue down to each other, leading to stiffness, pain, and decreased blood flow.

In a cupping treatment, the acupuncturist will place a series of thick glass, silicone and/or plastic suction cups on the skin of a patient's back, chest, and/or limbs. The acupuncturist can leave the cups in one location for a few minutes and/or move them around to affect the flow of blood. Though this treatment is pain-free, it may result in reddish, circle-shaped marks on the skin that may take a few days to fade. These marks are not bruises, as no capillaries are broken. They occur when cellular debris is lifted to the surface layer where it is effectively flushed out by the lymphatic system. Cupping is an incredibly effective technique to address upper and lower back pain.

What Is "Dry Needling," and is it Acupuncture?

Numerous health organizations, including the World Health Organization, classify dry needling as a subset of acupuncture. It involves locating and needling into trigger points for the purpose of eliciting a twitch response and release. Trigger points are hyper-irritable nodules of muscle fibers, often referred to as "knots". Pain at a trigger point results in a the release of inflammatory chemicals at nerve synapses that causes further contraction and pain, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. The referral patterns elicited by trigger points are very predictable and often occur outside of or distant from the trigger point itself. This explains how a trigger point in your upper back can cause a nagging temple headache. Acupuncturists understand these patterns and how certain symptoms can cause or be caused by trigger points. They also know how to resolve them.

When a trigger point is needled, you will likely feel a small twitch that signals the trigger point has been released. This feeling is almost always followed by immediate relief of symptoms. What were perpetually contracted muscle fibers are now more fully contractile and flexible. Blood flow is improved, and as neurogenic inflammation begins to resolve, pain is relieved and function is restored. Dry needling can be amazingly effective at resolving muscular pain, lack of flexibility, and weakness.

What is Electroacupuncture Medicine (EAM)?

During an Electroacupuncture session, a gentle electrical current flows at specific frequencies through acupuncture needle point(s) to release neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and beta-endorphins, among others. Treatment can be focused at specific spinal segments to elicit a change in the muscles, blood vessels, and organs serviced by the nerves at those segments. This therapy is highly effective in bringing about a parasympathetic response, which is known as the “rest and digest” state. We are meant to be in this parasympathetic state virtually all the time, except for short-lived responses to danger, in which our sympathetic, or “fight, flight or freeze” response engages. Modern life, with all of its vague and not so vague stresses and pressures, can often leave us feeling stuck in this danger-response. Left unchecked, this state will continue to deplete our neurotransmitters, starve capillary beds of blood flow, and can lead to many other visceral organ disorders, generalized anxiety, lack of concentration, and more.

Do You Take Insurance?

Currently, we are not in-network with any providers and do not accept insurance. However, clients with Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards may personally submit acupuncture receipts to their insurance companies for reimbursement, as acupuncture is an approved service.