What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a safe and effective     form of treatment which has become a complete holistic health  care system. This 5000 year old form of medicine has much to  offer in the hectic world of today.
What is Qi?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based around the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy. Qi circulates through the body, nourishing and energizing every cell of every tissue and organ. If there is a blockage in this flow, pain and/or disease is the result. Qi moves through pathways, called    meridians. Meridians are like a network of rivers flowing inside   the body. As a river flows through the land with its many branches, it provides life giving water to land, plants and animals. Meridians act in much the same way, carrying Qi to every cell of every tissue and organ in the body. Blockages in this Qi flow are like a dam in a river. The Qi becomes backed up, perhaps causing pain, and cutting off the flow of this vital energy to everything downstream.

How does Qi become disrupted?

Trauma, both emotional and physical, stress, poor diet, lack of exercise or excessive activity are among the ways Qi flow can be influenced negatively. If we are strong and healthy, the body will recover quickly from such an imbalance and return to a state of wellness. In the case of prolonged or excessive disruption, pain or disease can occur.

What does an acupuncturist do?

A full health history will be taken at the time of your initial examination. You will be asked questions regarding symptoms, general health, and lifestyle. Tongue and pulse diagnosis are a very unique exam to TCM, and can provide much insight to a person’s health.

Using the information gathered, the practitioner can effectively diagnose specific imbalances in your Qi, and create a structured treatment plan. Treatment plans may include Chinese herbal therapy, dietary recommendations, exercises, cupping or moxibustion, as well as acupuncture.

To address these imbalances, sterile, hair-like needles are placed at very specific points along the meridians. This is a very safe and painless procedure used to help remove the obstructions, thus allowing Qi to flow freely again. This can eliminate pain and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is a safe, effective and drug free therapy that can address a large number of common ailments. Just some of the conditions recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) to be effectively treated by acupuncture are: anxiety, arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, colitis, common cold, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, emotional problems, fatigue, fibromyalgia, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, menopause, menstrual irregularities, migraine, pain, PMS, sciatica, shoulder pain, stress and tennis elbow.