During an acupuncture treatment, fine needles (as fine as a piece of hair) are inserted into “acupuncture points,” which are thought to stimulate the body’s nervous system to release certain chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain which in turn release other chemicals and hormones in the body that may help to improve pain and other medical complaints.
Although acupuncture is not a “cure-all” treatment, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic (long-term) pain, such as headaches, menstrual cramps, and low back, neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat osteoarthritis, facial pain, spastic colon, and repetitive strain conditions. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system (the body’s defense system against diseases).
For certain conditions, such as cancer, acupuncture should be performed in combination with other treatments.
What are the types of acupuncture?
There are many different styles of acupuncture. Practitioners of Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) palpate the body (examine the body by touch) to locate reactive areas and myofascial (muscular) constrictions (tightening). Points are selected and stimulated to relieve symptomatic or problem areas, based on the relationships of meridian acupuncture theory.
Practitioners trained in APM also locate and deactivate “trigger points” using an advanced needling technique. Trigger points are extremely common in pain conditions and cause referred pain and other symptoms of dysfunction in nearly everyone’s life at one time or another.
Here is a list of common conditions that we can treat:
Pain: Muscle pain and cramping, headaches and migraines, back, shoulder and joint pain, arthritis, sports injuries, strains and sprains, sciatica, dental pain, TMJ
Digestive complaints: Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, food allergies, irritable bowel, colitis, acid reflux, nausea, indigestion, morning sickness, peptic ulcer, gallstones
Cardiovascular: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor circulation, palpitations, angina, atrial fibrillation, anemia, edema
Respiratory: Common cold and flu and prevention, allergies, hay fever, asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, cough, bronchitis, sore throat
Women’s health: PMS, infertility, menstrual disorders, pregnancy and fertility enhancement, nursing issues, menopause symptoms, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, UTI’s, interstitial cystitis, incontinence
Men’s health: Sexual dysfunction, BPH, infertility, prostatitis, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, urinary dribbling, frequent urination
Emotional: Stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, bi-polar, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, mood swings, nervousness, addictions
Neurological: Neuropathy, shingles, vertigo, tremors, post stoke residuals, facial pain
Skin: Hives, acne, dandruff, dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, rashes, scars
Other benefits: Autoimmune diseases, endocrine issues, children’s health, adjunctive cancer therapy, increase energy, smoking cessation and other addictions, ear and eye health
Please call or email us and we would be happy to discuss how we can help you.
