What is Acupuncture?

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting hair thin needles in to the body in order to help resolve pain, illness, emotional strain, stress, etc.  Acupuncture is used with meridians in the body, specific needling theories, and local spots being effected in the individual. There is no magic point that will resolve all illnesses in the body, but there is a well of points and techniques that can be used for each individual to help find comfort and health. Acupuncture is somewhere between 2,000-8,000 years old depending on who you talk to but it is ancient nonetheless. Needles used to be made from stone, pottery, bone and just about anything that could be sharpened but are now made from stainless steel and disposed of after every use. Though the core points in the body have remained the same dating back to earliest surviving texts, new points have been discovered and new techniques are shared.

Acupuncture can help support treatments you may already be seeking elsewhere like chemotherapy, chiropractic care, massage and others you may want to ask about. I am more than willing to work with your current practitioner in a joint effort to support you and your health. There are some risks with acupuncture like pneumothorax (a collapsed lung which is very rare), bleeding, bruising, lasting discomfort to a needled area, etc. All these risks will be explained in our first meeting prior to treatment and should be explained to you by any other acupuncture practitioner you may see. The benefits are relief of pain, emotional relief, loss of tension, ability to breathe deep, dancing feet returning and serious other benefits that you are more than welcome to ask about. Acupuncture is an ancient medicine and has proven the test of time in helping those who chose to have faith in its ability and a handful of doubters who come around with smiles.

It's an artistic form of medicine that looks at the individual as just that, an individual. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at the 5 Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood) inside and outside of the body, ZangFu (organs of the body in their physical and energetic mechanisms), invading pathogens, internal pathogens, injury, emotions, environmental factors, the mechanisms of the blood, and the famous Qi.

How your body is functioning at the time I see you will be different from the next time I see you and different from the time before. It may get better or may digress. It is all important in who you are and how your process of healing goes for you. Because there is so much to talk about in regards to theory, I implore you to ask about TCM and encourage you to get to know how your body responds.

There are no stupid questions and all questions will be answered with enthusiasm in respect to your interest!