What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modality that has been used for thousands of years to promote natural healing. Acupuncture is a gentle and effective treatment that stimulates the vascular, nervous, and endocrine systems to spark your body's innate ability to heal and establish balance. This is a method that focuses on the root of your health issues and to get your body functioning optimally. Acupuncture is an ancient technique that can help you achieve the vitality you desire.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture involves the placement of small, sterile needles into specific areas of the body; which positively effects the vascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. Acupuncture increases the smooth movement of blood in the body, and regulates the nerve pain fiber signals. It has many beneficial physiological effects in the body. Endorphins and neurotransmitters are released during an acupuncture session. These feel-good chemicals can reduce pain naturally. For more details, please go HERE!
What Will My Acupuncturist Do?
A full health history will be taken during your initial exam. You will be asked questions regarding symptoms, health, and lifestyle. Amber may check your pulses and conduct a physical exam that can include orthopedic tests if necessary. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate, and comprehensive diagnosis of imbalances in the body. After gathering all of your health concerns, Amber will give you a brief and easy to understand explanation of how acupuncture works, what she felt in your pulses, and how acupuncture can help you with your health goals. You will then receive your acupuncture treatment. Your 1st visit will be about 90 minutes; follow up appointments will be about 60 minutes.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The amount of treatments will vary from person to person. Amber expects to see immediate relief to pain symptoms. How long the pain is reduced depends on many variables. Amber will explain why that is during your initial exam. Acupuncture is cumulative, meaning with each treatment you can expect to see more relief for longer durations. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Treatment frequency depends on a variety of factors: your constitution, lifestyle, diet, and severity and duration of the health concern. Amber may suggest one or two treatments per week, monthly visits for health maintenance, or seasonal "tune-ups".
What Style Of Acupuncture Will I Receive?
Acupuncture has been around a very long time. This has allowed the development of many different styles of acupuncture. Amber has studied and learned a variety of styles during her 12+ years of clinical work. She will choose the best techniques for your specific health concerns. Here is a short list of styles she may choose to use: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Auricular/Ear, Motor Point/Orthopedic/Sport technique, Distal/Balance method, Body Zone, and/or Scalp areas. Having a variety of styles to offer allows Amber to develop the most effective and comfortable treatment for you. The number of needles used will depend on the styles of acupuncture she applies to you; as few as 4 needles, to more than 40 needles can be given.
What Should I Expect During Treatment?
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a pinch, a tingle, itchiness, heaviness, or a dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of warmth or movement around and away from the needle. Some may feel muscle twitches in the body, not necessarily near the needled site. All these reactions are good and a sign that the body is responding to the treatment; blood flow is increasing. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.