Acupuncture?
What to do before your appointment:
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Have eaten before
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Wear comfortable clothing. Note, you can always change into a gown.
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What to expect...
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30 minutes lying on the table, usually facing up or down. Note, we can adjust the position if it is too uncomfortable.
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Range of no pain or little pain. Very few points may be a bit more painful. NOTHING like getting a vaccine, trust.
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Breathing while inserting the points to help ease any discomfort or pain on insertion.
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Feeling tingly, electricity, heaviness at the points of insertion. Some describe this as literally 'feeling pinned down'.
Acupuncture is an old school medicine dating back with origins from China. Acupuncture, as a standalone, is the insertion of fine, hair-like needles inserted into the skin. The needles are inserted on meridian points much like the longitutide/latitude lines on earth. These pathways have a system, and each point has a specific indication to help restore the body.
OK....Give me the science lady...
Acupuncture has two parts:
1. Local- The insertion of the needle creates a microinjury that penetrates the skin, which causes the inflammatory cascade along with the neurological-immunologic-endocrine system to be activated. These all work in concordance to attend to the microinjury. The microinjury is often induced along a point on a meridian. The tricked injury then facilitates the meridians to be unblocked so the body can return to homeostasis. The body is tricked into healing itself.
2. Systemic response - The insertion of needles provides a systemic response where our own body's endogenous opioids are released. These are 'feel-good' hormones. These internal hormones are endorphins and enkephalins, serotonin, dopamine, and other neurochemicals.
What is Acupuncture all about?
Often in the West, when we think of Acupuncture, we think of just needle insertion, when there is SO much more!
Note: I do not provide all services listed below (i.e., Qi Gong or Tui Na)
Acupuncture
A small, hair-like needle is inserted into the skin. Points are often inserted on meridian pathways
Gua Sha
Tools that are either in jade, steel, or other stone that help provide pressure to the skin of the body. They help with facial rejuvenation or with pain management
Herbal Medicine
Often given in capsules, powder, or decoctions to be often 1-3 times a day
Tui Na / Medical Massage
Traditional Chinese Medicine-style medical massage
Cupping
Cups are often put on the back giving negative pressure. Like a reverse massage. Can be with fire cupping or suction cupping.
Helps with tightness, soreness, or pain
Qi Gong / Energy Medicine
Similar to Reiki, there is Infini-Qi that helps to recalibrate the energetic body
What can Acupuncture help with?
The list is based on research based on NIH, WHO, PubMed or Cochrane Review studies
Herbal Medicine
Herbs
Formulas
Decoctions
Herbs are often prescribed in addition to acupuncture. There is tremendous synergy in combining both medicines to achieve a faster result, depending on the type of issue at hand. Of course, with anything chronic, it took time to stay there; it will take time to heal.
Herbal Medicine research is still growing. Tremendous research is being done into the isolates of the compounds of herbs. Formulas are also being studied in which herbs are combined into one powder/decoction/tincture.
That being said, choosing herbs a part of the treatment is a personal choice and shared decision between your provider and you. Yes, herbs are not regulated by the FDA. Herbal and prescription drug interactions need to be considered. However, certain conditions can profoundly benefit from taking herbs.
Speak with your practitioner before starting.
Cupping
Cupping is often done on the back, leaving dark red/pink bruise marks.
They are left on for about 5-15 minutes, depending on the practitioner's discretion.
Sometimes there are no bruise marks, and the back is clean.
Science of Cupping
Cupping provides a negative pressure as opposed to massage which provides positive pressure. This negative pressure acts as a suction that breaks up the capillaries, which triggers the inflammatory cascade just like in acupuncture. A tricked body injury. This works at the muscle layer. The color of the skin can indicate the level of stagnation in the body.
What should I expect:
Expect not to shower for a few hours after a cupping session. Avoid exposing the skin to wind or anything cold for a couple of hours after a cupping session.
When should I not see an Acupuncturist
- Medical Emergencies
- Hypertensive Crisis
- Psychoemotional crisis
- Active skin infection and/or open wound
YOU CAN...still get acupuncture if...
- Pregnant
- Have a pacemaker
- Have a compromised immune system
- Bleeding disorder - need smaller needles and more monitoring by practitioner
- Multiple medical issues
- Rehabilitation and recovery