Acupuncture needles are sterile, single-use, stainless steel and are about the thickness of a shaft of human hair. When when placed into the a salty, bio-electric medium like the body, natural currents of electricity are created, amplifying energy and dispersing stasis. We never reuse needles and maintain a clean field for each patient to prevent the cross contamination of germs.
When done correctly by a professionally trained acupuncturist, most people find it does not hurt. Depending on your reactivity and the point being treated, you may or may not feel the insertion of the needle and subsequently the “qi sensation.” This sensation can range from a dull ache to a wave-like feeling of fullness near the insertion point. This sensation can move up or down the body and limbs or reach to other parts of the body farther away. These are all normal sensations. Most people describe the feeling of being very relaxed and centered at the end of treatment.
Needles are most commonly inserted into the arms, legs and back and may be placed at or near the site of pain, but do not necessarily have to be. Depending on a person’s condition, acupuncture points on the back or front of the body, as well as the head and face may be used. Needles are typically retained for about 20-30 minutes, during which time one will feel very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Needle retention time varies according to the patient and their condition — as some people need more time, some less. The same principle applies to the number of needles used, which vary from person to person and from treatment to treatment, depending on an individual’s condition and constitution at the time of treatment.
Cupping is a therapeutic practice that involves creating suction on the skin using a glass or plastic cup. Cupping can be applied stationary on dry skin or as sliding cups with an emollient that allows the cups to glide along the skin.
Cupping leaves temporary marks on the skin that can look like bruising. In cases of wet cupping, where lancets are used to puncture the skin along with cupping, the marks may be darker. The marks themselves typically do not hurt and will resolve within days of treatment.
Gua sha is a therapeutic technique in which the surface of the skin is stroked using a round-edged tool. This is typically performed along the neck and back, but can also be used on the arms, legs, and even the face
As the gua sha tool moves over the body, small capillaries may break and create bruise-like markings. These markings will diminish in the days following treatment. In Chinese medicine, we refer to those markings as "sha" or sand, as it resembles grains of sand coming to the surface of the skin.
Electroacupuncture uses two needles in each meridian point, or acupuncture point, and then connects to a machine that passes a small electric current through the needle. Electroacupuncture helps to block your pain by activating bioactive chemicals in your body. This process may decrease your sensitivity to the pain you’re feeling. It’s also been shown to help reduce inflammation in your body.
When you get electroacupuncture, it activates your sympathetic nerve fibers. By activating these fibers, your body releases endogenous opioids such as endorphins, which help to reduce inflammation. The activated nerve fibers may also help to reduce feelings of persistent pain. This makes it a good treatment for chronic pain and stress.
Our topical products are very high quality medicinals which are chosen when the practitioner feels that it suits the treatment principle and needs of the patient.
Our herbal liniments, lotions and oils contain real herbal formulas that penetrate deep into the muscles and meridians. These ancient formulas have been used for hundreds of years and have proven themselves over time.
Our essential oils are organic and therapeutic grade allowing for them to reach much deeper than traditional aromatherapy found on the store shelves.
Your body will continue to unwind, re-calibrate, and integrate, so the time post treatment is ideally one of rest and nourishment. Nourish yourself by:
Acupuncture treats the body and not the disease, and as such is an effective healing tool for everything from the common cold to pain management to addiction. The World Health Organization has published an official report on the effectiveness of acupuncture based on evidence from clinical trials. This list includes conditions such as fibromyalgia, allergic rhinitis, headache, dysentery, blood pressure regulation, stroke, adverse affects in the treatment of oncology, and various types of pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists acupuncture as an effective treatment tool for chronic diseases and pain in lieu of pharmaceutical interventions. Since acupuncture stimulates and guides the body’s innate healing response, it can be used for just about any thing the body experiences.
In this official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture. Here is a short list of conditions.
We strive to support the health & safety of all patients. If you are exhibiting COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, stay home and notify your physician. Our medical office complies to all CDC, HIPPA and Ohio law for the practice of acupuncture and current best practices regarding COVID-19 and any other infectious disease.
Virgil