Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Is acupuncture right for you?

Acupuncture is a science-backed modality that's been practiced for thousands of years. With no side effects or harm to the body, it’s been shown to alleviate and help treat common health issues from migraines to pelvic pain to irritable bowel to infertility. Acupuncture can be used as a complement to or in lieu of medication to help you get and stay truly well.

The intent of acupuncture is to bring the body back into a state of homeostasis and ignite the body’s innate ability to heal. It’s also a powerful tool for prevention. By activating sensory receptors and signaling nerves to transmit impulses to the brain, it creates a dual biochemical and physiological effect on the body that helps to ease pain, promote healing, and improve immune function.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, release pain-killing opioid neuropeptides, and help regulate hormones. Acupuncture benefits the body's stress response and has a calming effect on the nervous system. Acupuncture is mostly commonly known for treating pain, but it also helps alleviate or completely get rid of colds, menstrual irregularities, insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues, dermatological problems, cardiovascular issues, and autoimmune disease (see the World Health Organization’s review of acupuncture). I love treating skeptics and people who’ve previously seen multiple MDs with no results—the lens of Asian Medicine is particularly effective for issues that flummox allopathic physicians.

Feeling anxious about needles?

If you’re feeling anxious, please know that I love gently ushering nervous people into the world of Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture needles are very thin and are not painful like hypodermic needles. There can be a sensation of warmth or heaviness at the insertion point but most patients find that there is no discomfort. The needles are retained for 20-30 minutes while you relax.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Services

  • Acupuncture

    Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, disposable stainless steel needles through the skin at specific sites to regulate the body´s qi or the body’s oxygen, blood circulation, nerve impulses, and hormones. Qi flows throughout the body in a network of channels and vessels.  Acupuncture serves to harmonize and distribute the qi to areas of the body that contain blockages or deficiencies in order to facilitate the healing process.

  • Herbal Medicine

    Our ancestors discovered therapeutic herbs in much the same way that they discovered edible foods: by trial and error and by observing what other animals ate. Herbal medicine is a very important aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is especially effective when used in conjunction with acupuncture. Today, most pharmaceutical drugs are isolated compounds derived from plants and herbs.

  • Cupping & Gua Sha Myofascial Release

    Cupping is a technique that uses heat to suction the skin to stimulate deeper healing. The “upward suctioning” action loosens underlying structures to release adhesion and stiffness in ways typical massage does not. The increase in localized blood flow flushes stagnant blood and fluids to promote healing. Cupping treats muscle aches, digestive ailments, skin disorders, and more. Gua sha is a skin-scraping technique using a massage tool. This action breaks up stagnant qi (or energy) to address chronic and acute pain issues.

  • Nutritional Counseling

    In traditional Chinese medical theory, there is truth to the saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Choosing foods according to one’s constitution and condition can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, minimize digestive discomfort, increase energy, and even help with conception. During each nutritional counseling session, we will discuss your health challenges and goals, your current diet, and identify what dietary changes can help bring you into better balance.

  • Moxibustion

    Moxibustion is the burning of mugwort, otherwise known as moxa or mogusa, on the tips of acupuncture needles or near acupuncture points. It is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa warms the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi. It is especially beneficial for arthritic and gynecological conditions, and has a special use in helping to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth.