According to the Chinese, everyone is born with a fixed amount of energy (JingQi) at birth. This energy is spent in the work of living and replenished in part by food and air. The Qi flows throughout the body in certain expected patterns along invisible pathways referred to as “meridians”. Chinese medicine is based on the discovery that certain areas (“acupoints”) on the skin are related to internal body organs and specific bodily functions. Groups of points relating to the same organ function are found along the same meridian. In the healthy person, energy flows through the meridians freely and in abundance, resulting in a state of balance and well being.

However, when this state of balance is interrupted by conditions such as stress, injury, emotional trauma or infection, the free flow of energy is interrupted, resulting in an energy deficiency, an imbalance of body energy (e.g.yin to yang) or blockages of energy along the meridians. It is thought that these patterns of disharmony in the body’s energy are at the root of illness. By locating the skin points along the meridians that relate to a certain condition, the acupuncturist can address blockages, imbalances or deficiencies in that energy meridian and insert needles at those locations. The insertion of the needles serves to unblock and stimulate energy in the meridians and allow the Qi to flow freely and sufficiently once again.

In a person whose system has become out of balance, the process of regulating the Qi is a gradual one. The treatments tend to build upon one another in a cumulative fashion, and the process may include times of progress as well as temporary
setbacks. This is all a normal part of the healing cycle, as the body relearns how to function in and maintain a balanced state of energy.

In addition to its capacity to heal, 5E acupuncture is a preventative medicine and can help patients develop a stronger immune system to ward off illness and the effects of daily stress. Seasonal tune-ups are strongly recommended for all. If you
have questions relating to your specific condition, you may contact the office before making an appointment.

Acupuncture is done with extremely thin, flexible needles made of silver alloy or stainless steel. You may experience brief discomfort as the needle pierces the skin, sometimes followed by minor soreness or a drawing sensation. As the energy
changes, there may be numbness, heat, dull aching or tingling. More often than not, the experience is relatively painless.

Most conditions can be treated. Listed here are among the most common and responsive: musculo/skeletal problems such as sciatica, low back pain and arthritis; circulatory problems like high or low blood pressure, cold hands and feet; nervous system imbalances, especially anxiety, nervousness, mental instability, sleeplessness, depression, migraine headaches; asthma, allergies and sinus problems; and digestive disorders including Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea and constipation.

In addition, we often treat migraines, headaches, addiction, vertigo, sports and stress injuries, skin problems, immune system disorders, fatigue, chronic pain and side effects from chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

Acupuncture has been found to be especially useful for detoxification from addictive substances such as drugs, alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, heroin and cigarettes.

Yes. Modern medical wisdom suggests that we combine what is useful from each source. Because Chinese medicine addresses the underlying cause of a condition
rather than just the symptoms, it is often helpful to treat conditions generally unresponsive to western drug-oriented treatment. Examples include PMS, headache, vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, etc. Conversely, some conditions, most notably bacterial infections and conditions with structural
changes, e.g., fractures or tumors, respond more rapidly to Western techniques. Very frequently the two methodologies can be combined to the patient’s greater benefit.

Your first session with me is generally 2 hours long with information intake and treatment. This helps design a treatment plan for you. In addition, a brief physical exam is included to determine any structural problems in your body and to identify specific physical complaints. Direct billing is available on site for most private insurance companies. Treatments are conducted in a private, quiet, healing room.

Follow up treatments usually last 45-60 minutes. Frequency and duration of treatment varies from person to person. Generally tx is weekly for 6-10 weeks, spreading out as the patient gets better. For this reason I ask people to commit to a series of six treatments. People often arrive in my office with symptoms that have plagued them for many years and although one or two treatments may have some impact, one treatment will not have long term results. After your initial
commitment is completed, and things start to become balanced, we will determine how treatment will progress. Generally, treatments may be continued biweekly, monthly, or even seasonally.

Treatment initially addresses chronic or acute conditions, and with time the medicine becomes preventative. People often seek treatment for a physical or emotional complaint and then find that their condition has improved and in addition their overall sense of well being has also improved. They find that they feel better in themselves, sleep better, feel more joyful, and are more engaged in life around them. Often people say that their living a fuller life and the wonder for life has been restored.