Acupuncture
Struggling with chronic pain, stress, or sleep issues? You’re not alone. But there’s a natural, non-invasive way to help your body heal itself: acupuncture.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art from China, practiced for over 2,500 years. It’s all about balancing your body’s vital energy—called Qi (“chee”)—which flows through pathways known as meridians. When this flow is blocked or out of balance, it can cause pain and other health issues. Acupuncture uses tiny, sterile needles to stimulate specific points on your body and restore that flow, helping your body get back to optimal health.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture works by activating your body’s natural healing power. It’s part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which believes that balance between yin and yang is key to physical and mental wellness. Beyond needling, acupuncture treatment can include techniques like cupping, moxibustion (heat therapy), electrical stimulation, massage (Tui Na), and restorative exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong.
Most Chinese medicine treatment focuses on herbal remedies (about 85%), with acupuncture playing a supportive but powerful role to speed healing.
Why Choose Acupuncture?
Non-invasive and simple
Effective for a wide range of conditions
Affordable and accessible
Rooted in centuries of healing tradition
By restoring your body’s energy balance, acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall wellness—all naturally.
What are the benefits?
Acupuncture has been shown to provide relief for a wide range of physical and mental health issues. Some of the most common benefits of acupuncture include:
Pain relief
Acupuncture is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating various types of pain, including chronic pain, headaches, migraines, and joint pain. It works by stimulating the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, such as endorphins, and reducing inflammation.
Cancer treatments can lead to various side effects, including fatigue, decreased immunity, pain, nerve damage, such as numbness and tingling and muscle weakness, as well as nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, decreased appetite, and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, fear, anger, and apathy. These side effects can significantly impact the quality of life of cancer patients and make it challenging to continue with their treatment.
Acupuncture can help lessen the severity of cancer treatment side effects and aid patients’ well-being during their cancer journey.
Stress reduction
Acupuncture can help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and balancing the body’s hormonal responses to stress. This can lead to improved mood, better sleep, and increased overall well-being.
Improved sleep
Acupuncture has been shown to improve sleep quality by regulating the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
Enhanced immune function
Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system by stimulating the production of immune cells and regulating the body’s inflammatory response.
Digestive support
Acupuncture can help alleviate various digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and heartburn, by promoting the proper flow of Qi through the digestive system.
Current research suggests that acupuncture can potentially benefit individuals experiencing seasonal allergies, stress incontinence, and cancer-treatment related nausea.
What can I expect?
During an acupuncture session, a qualified acupuncturist will ask you questions, feel your pulse on both wrists, look at your tongue, and then carefully insert needles into specific points on your body. The needles are typically left in place for 15-30 minutes, and most patients report a feeling of relaxation or even mild euphoria. After the session, you may experience a sense of calmness and well-being as your body’s Qi flow is restored.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin, about the width of a human hair, and their insertion is typically painless. You may feel a slight tingling or heaviness at the site of the needle, but this sensation is generally mild and brief.
Is acupuncture safe?
Some people worry about the safety of acupuncture, particularly regarding infection risk. However, licensed acupunctrists are required to follow strict sterilization procedures and use single-use, disposable needles to ensure patient safety.
