During acupuncture session stainless needles are placed into specific points on the skin to help activate the energy in the body, called Qi. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Qi is the lifeforce energy in the body that helps regulate and move things in the body to keep us well. Stress, environmental factors, lifestyle behaviors, and genetics are some of the things that can block Qi in the body. Acupuncturists use needles to unblock or move qi to other areas in the body to help you heal.
After your Acupuncture Doctor got to know your medical history and symptoms, an individualized treatment plan is built to your needs. Your acupuncturist will select the appropriate points to insert needles. They’ll typically treat what’s bothering you, plus any other underlying conditions that may be connected. During acupuncture session only single use, disposable, sterile needles are used. Needles are disposed of in a biohazard waste container for removal by a regulated biohazard waste service.
You’ll lie down on a table, and the acupuncturist will put needles into various points on your body, 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.
Acupuncture needle insertion is often painless. Patients report a slight pinch upon insertion, but after the needles are in place, most don’t feel the needles. If the patient experiences discomfort, the needle can be easily adjusted or re-inserted. Twirling, plucking, scraping and in-and-out motions are techniques that can be used to stimulate healing energy to the painful area.
Treatment formula is tailored to your specific health goals, needling specific body points locally – in the area of discomfort, and/or distally – points that are not in the area of discomfort, but still related. Usually, I walk my patients through what to expect, most patients relax enough to proceed. Some patients, specially if it is their first acupuncture treatment, still feel nervous which is fine. After the needles are inserted, patients lay on the treatment table for about 30-45 minutes, depending on your treatment.
The acupuncturist will usually dim the lights and put on quiet music to help you relax. They’ll come in and check on you throughout your acupuncture session to make sure you’re comfortable. Some patients actually fall asleep during the treatment, this is your acu-nap time. An acu-nap is time for you to rest and digest from all the life happenings, acu-nap will help your brain release all the “feel-good” brain chemicals and will promote vascular activity, move what’s stuck, and decrease inflammation. An acu-nap is a nervous system reset. It is your healing time!
As an acupuncturist, I always look for ways to enhance my patients’ healing journeys. Based on the patient’s diagnosis, I may recommend a combination of TCM techniques. In addition to acupuncture, I offer TDP Lamp, moxa, ear acupuncture, ear tacks or seeds and E-stim.
Individualized treatment plans are essential for optimal results. Whether your goals are – to improve your sleep or digestion, to help with your anxiety or depression, relieve back or neck pain, regulate your periods, prepare for pregnancy, or support your IVF cycle, I will put together a tailored plan for you! There’s nothing more important than your health and you know it.
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