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Have you ever thought that acupuncture would be painful because of the needles?
Acupuncture is not about needles – it’s all about the qi! How can this be? Acupuncture restores the free flow of qi (vital energy) in our bodies.
To do this, I use acupuncture tools such as moxibustion, tuina, cupping, magnets, gwasha, adjusting lifestyle elements, and non-insertive needles. All of these channel-specific acupuncture tools balance qi among the 12 main meridians and the more basal Extraordinary Vessels – without inserting needles.
There are some people for whom the use of needles is contraindicated. For example, one of my clients was on an experimental drug and told by researchers not to be needled. Instead, I used magnets and moxibustion. Other people may have a fear of needles.
If you don’t want me to use needles, tell me and I won’t.
Acupuncture is a therapy originating in China that facilitates the flow of qi (vital force or energy) in the body. An acupuncturist uses many tools to help restore and maintain the free flow of this vital energy.
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as appropriate treatment for many common disorders. Acupuncture can effectively treat the following conditions:
Pain – chronic pain, repetitive strain injury, migraine headache, post-surgical recovery
Musculoskeletal – arthritis, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, athletic injuries
Gynecological – painful or irregular menstruation, PMS, menopausal symptoms, infertility
Digestive – indigestion, chronic heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, acute or chronic colitis
Neurological – Bell's Palsy, neuralgia, numbness, peripheral neuropathy, sciatica
Respiratory – asthma, allergies, sinusitis, flu relief, low immunity and frequent colds
Emotional – anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress and stress-related conditions
Wondering if acupuncture can treat a condition not listed here? Ask me!
Are you surprised that I haven’t mentioned needles? There are many acupuncture methods that don’t involve inserting needles. These include non-insertive needles, magnets, moxibustion, cupping, tuina, and lifestyle and dietary advice.
Can I get acupuncture while I’m taking medications?
Acupuncture is excellent for both acute and chronic health issues. It can be used in conjunction with medications that your doctor prescribes, as well as chiropractic, physical therapy and psychotherapy.
What will happen during my acupuncture appointments?
We’ll create and put into practice a treatment plan that fits you, your life, and your health goals.
In our first meeting, I’ll find out about your overall health, because acupuncture takes into consideration all aspects of the body, as well as your emotions, in forming a diagnosis. Once we agree on a focus for our work together, you will get your first acupuncture treatment. You can expect this initial meeting to last about 90 minutes. Most people leave feeling refreshed and restored.
Subsequent treatments will be shorter – one hour or less.
Most of the time, you will not feel a needle being inserted. “Is there a needle in me? I didn’t even feel it go in,” is a common reaction to my needling.
The needles are so fine that if you brush one with your little finger it will bend. Most of us are familiar with the syringe – which we experience when we give blood or get a vaccination. Those hollow needles are much wider than hair-thin acupuncture needles. Furthermore, syringes have a cutting edge, while acupuncture needles have a rounded tip to pass between skin and muscle fibers, much like a knitting needle moving between pieces of yarn.
You may feel qi after the needle is inserted – a sensation of heaviness, tingling, warmth, or a moving current near the needle or along the acupuncture channel. This is a good sign called “deqi,” or the arrival of qi.
Or you may feel a gentle, overall relaxation. Some people refer to this light dozing as the “acupuncture state.”
After the needles have been inserted for a few minutes, I will check with you to make sure that you feel comfortable and relaxed.
The needles are pre-sterilized and used only once, then safely disposed of. All licensed acupuncturists in Massachusetts are trained in a nationally established protocol for the safe use and disposal of needles.
How many treatments will I need to see improvement?
As with most other therapies, the severity, nature and duration of your condition will play a factor in how quickly you improve. In chronic or longstanding conditions, one rule of thumb is to allow one month of acupuncture for every year that you’ve had the condition. At the same time, some of my clients have noticed an improvement during or after the first treatment.
For a disharmony that you have noticed for over six months, I may recommend a course of weekly treatments for eight to twelve weeks. When there is improvement, we will lengthen the period of time between treatments.
Acute conditions may take one to two treatments.
Even if you are not sick, I recommend that you come in once a month for an overall “tune-up.” Clients who do this find that they leave the office feeling relaxed, energized and better able to deal with normal stresses. They also enjoy stronger immunity to whatever’s going around.
Qi runs along channels or meridians on the body. Acupuncture points are openings that allow us to influence the qi in a particular meridian. In acupuncture, we strengthen a weak flow of qi or reduce the flow where there’s excess or blockage (like removing one tree log from a dam that allows the river to flow freely again), thus balancing all meridians in relation on one another.
Biomedical studies present theories about how acupuncture works, including the idea that acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins or possibly alters subtle electromagnetic forces in the body. Many randomized controlled studies have documented the extent to which acupuncture is effective for a wide variety of conditions. Diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show that needling one part of the body affects distant areas and stimulates specific areas of the brain.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture to have it work?
Not at all! Acupuncture works as well on animals (pets and livestock) as it does on skeptics. More than one skeptic, forced to try acupuncture by a partner or parent at the end of their rope, has left the office with a widened horizon of belief.
I only ask that you be to be willing to notice positive changes brought about by acupuncture and recommended lifestyle changes.
It
works. For many disharmonies, acupuncture brings about profound
changes and facilitates one’s own healing process, without medications,
surgery, or radioactive materials.
No side-effects or complications: Acupuncture causes
few if any side-effects.
Compatible and synergistic with other healing modalities:
Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with chiropractic, psychotherapy,
homeopathy, and other health-promoting practices such as yoga, tai chi,
qi gong, cardio- and strength training. In addition, acupuncture does
not interfere or interact with prescribed medications.
Cost effective: Compared to the price of allopathic medicine
(subsidized by health insurance), in the long run acupuncture is far less
expensive and brings about lasting improvements in your overall health
and well-being.
Ecologically
sustainable: Acupuncture does not involve petro-chemicals,
radiation, enslaving or killing any animal, or the use of wild plants.
Acupuncture allows us to tend to the well-being of the planet at the same
time that we care for ourselves.
· Your Flexible Spending Account may cover acupuncture.
Please check your individual health plan or ask at your workplace about
setting up a flexible spending account plan that lets you set aside tax-free
dollars to reimburse yourself for eligible health and/or dependent care
expenses.
· I offer budget payment plans for people on a course of treatments.
· Check with your health insurance company to find out if acupuncture
is covered by your plan. If not, ask them when they will add this to services
covered.
Click on a question below to learn more about acupuncture treatment. Or
contact me with questions or to
make an appointment.