What is Acupuncture?

​

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine where natural healing occurs through needle placement and proper nutrition.  It is based on the belief that energy, or Qi (pronounced chi) is carried through meridians in the body. When the Qi is blocked or imbalanced it causes dysfunction and illness. When an acupuncture needle is placed into the meridian, it opens up the flow of Qi and helps alleviate symptoms, and the dysfunction or illness.

​

In Western medicine there has been many studies into the science behind acupuncture and how it works. Acupuncture points lay over parts of the body where nerves, muscles and connective tissue are best stimulated. The stimulation of these areas can increase blood flow, trigger the body’s natural painkillers, stimulate the body’s nervous system and connective tissues and increase the body’s healing process.

​

Acupuncture is completed with the use of sterile/disposable needles that are inserted into the body at points that are specific to the goals of treatment. The needles are left in for approximately 15-20 minutes before they are taken out and are disposed.

​

Acupuncture can be effective for:

 

Pain (in any area of the body)

Frozen shoulder

Headaches

Bursitis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis

Epicondylitis

Fibromyalgia

Osteoarthritis

Neuropathy/neuralgia

Carpal Tunnel

Tendonitis

Whiplash

Muscle and joint dysfunctions

Plus much more

​

Our office uses AcuGraph technology to obtain real-time insight into your meridian energetics. Acugraph is based on the historic practice of Ryodoraku acupuncture. AcuGraph measures electrical skin resistance, using small voltage where the patient can’t feel. The measurements are captured, digitized, and interpreted by our advanced, patented software algorithms to provide unparalleled accuracy and insight. This 2 minute exam measures electrical skin resistance at representative acupuncture points. It gives us real time insight into what your meridian energetics looks like! This way we can give you the best treatment points and care possible. 

 

It even gives a P.I.E. (Personal Integrated Energetic) score which is a statistical summary of your overall energetic balance. The PIE score helps you understand how balanced your meridians are, and how they are changing with each Acupuncture session. 

​

Click here to learn more about the AcuGraph.