The Chinese healing art of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is one that can be dated back at least two thousand years. In fact, some authorities maintain that acupuncture has been practiced in China for almost five thousand years. Though its exact age is vague, what is certain is that up until the late twentieth century, most Americans were uninformed about acupuncture, its origins, and its capacity to promote and maintain good health. It is the oldest form of professional medicine continually practiced in the world. Currently, Oriental Medicine serves more than two Billion people worldwide. One can say that modern Western and traditional Acupuncture and Chinese medicines are the two dominant medical systems in the world today.

Emperor Shen Nung (circa 3000 BCE), is believed to have introduced the technique of acupuncture to Chinese medicine. Shen Nung theorized that the body had an energy force running throughout it. This circulating energy force is known as Qi (roughly pronounced Chee). Qi is the vital force, or energy, inherent in all essential life activities including the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of life. A person’s health is influenced by the flow of Qi through defined pathways within the body, in combination with the universal balancing forces of Yin and Yang. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced, or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. When the pathways become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of their natural cycle of balance. This causes illness. Acupuncture can restore that natural cycle of balance.

In addition to Qi, acupuncture and Oriental Medicine recognize a subtle energy transport system by which Qi is circulated through the body. The pathways along this transportation system are referred to as channels or meridians. To better visualize the concept of Qi, and the meridians, think of the meridians as a river-bed, over which water flows and irrigates the land; feeding, nourishing and sustaining the substance through which it flows. (In Western medicine, the concept would be likened to the blood flowing through the circulatory system— arteries, veins, and capillaries.) If a dam were placed at any point along the river, the nourishing effect that the water had on the whole river would stop at the point the dam was placed.

The same is true in relation to Qi and the meridians. When the Qi becomes blocked, the rest of the body that was being nourished by the continuous flow now suffers. Illness and disease can result if the flow is not restored. Acupuncture is one tool used to restore the flow of Qi, by inserting needles into the acupuncture points (located on the meridians). These insertions are said to clear any residing blockages, or dams, thus freeing the river to better feed the body in its entirety. Thus the free flow of Qi is re-established and the body is harmoniously balanced. As the body is guided back into harmony, symptoms resolve naturally.

At the present time, Western medicine does not have a good understanding of why Acupuncture works. However, they do not deny its effectiveness.

Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine needles (not much thicker than a human hair) into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped over thousands of years. There are precise methods by which Acupuncturists insert needles and it is practically painless. It is completely unlike receiving an ordinary injection from a hypodermic needle. Sometimes you will not even know the needles are in place. Other times there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a feeling of the Qi moving up and down the channels or meridians. Acupuncture techniques are carefully chosen based on the ailment. Most people find Acupuncture to be very relaxing, pleasant, and many fall asleep during treatment.

There are many problems that can be treated successfully by Acupuncture. The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization recognizes numerous conditions in which Acupuncture is effective, such as pain, headache, neurological and respiratory problems, gastro intestinal disorders, women’s and men’s issues, and fatigue.

When people try acupuncture for the first time, they are typically surprised that it doesn’t hurt.  The needles are not much thicker than a human hair.  They are not like the needles used for injections which are hollow for the transmission of medicine or the withdrawal of body fluids.  Most people associate needles with getting an injection or having blood drawn which is generally painful.  Most patients are usually pleasantly surprised that the insertion of the ultra-thin acupuncture needles is virtually painless.

If you feel it al all, you may experience one of two sensations: the insertion (which may feel like a mosquito bite), and the arrival of energy at the tip of the needle (which may feel achy, distending, warm, electric…each person has a unique experience).  If you feel slight discomfort, it will dissipate quickly.  Sensitivity varies among patients, but most do not feel any significant discomfort.

Yes. We use only individually packaged, sterile, stainless steel needles of the highest quality. These are single-use needles made from stainless steel that are disposed of immediately after use. We do not reuse needles.  There is no risk of cross contamination. The areas on your body used in treatment will be cleaned in advance with a cotton ball saturated with food-grade ethyl alcohol.

To return flow of energy and blood back to normal and to reinstate optimal organ function. This will, in turn, encourage restored function to the affected area and the body will begin to heal itself. If detected early, organ malfunction and blood and/or energy stagnation may respond well to Oriental Medicine with an excellent chance for a complete and painless recovery.

1. Come to all of your appointments. If you absolutely need to reschedule an appointment, we require 24 hours notice.
2. In order to get full treatment, you must be on time.
3. You must stay current on payments.
4. Do not submerge in water (e.g. shower, bath, hot tub, etc.) for at least 2 hours after acupuncture.
5. Do engage in strenuous exercise for at least 2 hours after acupuncture.
6. Eat something in the three hours before receiving Acupuncture.
7. Healing reactions are very rare.  If a healing reaction occurs while under Acupuncture care or while taking Chinese Herbal Medicine, we highly recommend calling and informing the office of specific body reactions.

Energy moves from each of the 12 organs in your torso to specific positions on the radial artery, on the wrist below your thumb. The function and strength of each organ is evaluated by the quality and strength of the blood flow in those specific positions. The acupuncturist will place his/her fingers over the pulse on your wrist.

• A normal, healthy pulse has moderate speed and strength and feels just like blood [of course!].
• It is not fast or slow.
• It is not excessive [pushing the fingers off the pulse] or deficient [difficult to feel].
• Most importantly, the pulse does not have a quality other than that of blood.

Normal and healthy blood is viscous; it¹s thicker than water, but not as thick as motor oil, for example.

In Oriental Medicine, there are 28 pulse qualities. One is normal, and 27 indicate problems.

The organs, energy, and blood are represented on the tongue.

A normal, healthy tongue has four qualities:

1. The color is a lustrous, healthy red (not purple, bright red, pale, pink, etc.).
2. The coat is thin and white: it covers the tongue¹s entire top surface (not clear, yellow, thick, etc.)
3. The size is average (not long or short).
4. The shape is round (without bumps, cracks, toothmarks, depressions, pointedness, swelling, or anything else unusual).

If your tongue is not normal, it shows problems exist in your body.

How improper Qi flow affects your health:

Qi

1. Energy.

2. Vital force.

Meridian

A pathway from the organs to every part of the body.

Qi Stagnation

1. An interruption in the flow of Qi through the meridians, possibly causing organ imbalances with a loss of normal function.

2. An interruption of communication from the organs to any cell or tissue in the body.

Qi stagnation is a condition in which Qi is not moving smoothly from the organs to the rest of the body. This congests the meridians and affects the normal transmission of body impulses. The function and healing process of vital body parts are often affected.

Organ Imbalance

A state of abnormal organ function due to deficiency or excess, possibly causing Qi stagnation. The organs are the lungs, large intestine, stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, pericardium, heart, small intestine, kidneys and bladder. Every one of these organs interacts with every other. Imbalances in the liver, for example, affect the spleen adversely.

Organ imbalance and Qi stagnation are caused by any physical, emotional or chemical stress the person cannot adapt to. In the early stages, Qi stagnation affects only muscles, ligaments or organs. Although extreme pain has been observed in some cases, it is more often noticed as a discomfort, or not noticed at all.

However, if the condition is allowed to go untreated, the body will attempt to help support the affected area, but may deform instead. As the muscles become more rigid, the area starts to degenerate.

The longer the condition is allowed to go untreated, the less chance there is for recovery. What began as a minor problem or discomfort may lead to irreversible damage.

Energy – Vital substance produced by the organs flowing on pathways to every cell in the body. Energy moves the blood.

Blood – Fluid circulated by the organs and energy through the vascular system, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body. Blood nourishes the energy.

Organ – Part of the body adapted for specific functions that govern health, including the production of blood and energy.

Acupuncture – Insertion of hair-thin needles into the body at specific points in the treatment of health problems.

Chinese Herbal Medicine – Method of composing herbal formulas taken internally in the treatment of health problems.

Oriental Medicine – Term used to denote a complete medical system in use for over 23 centuries that includes seven major branches of healing.

Oriental Medicine recognizes 12 organs; the lungs, large intestine, stomach, spleen, gall bladder, liver, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, pericardium, and the overall digestive tract. They produce blood and energy, which are the building blocks of proper body function. Blood flows in the blood vessels throughout the body. Energy flows on specific pathways throughout the body.

Physical, chemical, or emotional stressors can cause the organs to malfunction, blood to stagnate, and energy to stagnate. The function and healing process of vital body parts are affected at this point and although extreme health problems have been observed, it is more often not noticed at all. If the condition is allowed to go untreated, the body will attempt to support the affected area, but as the problem increases, the area starts to degenerate.

The longer the condition is allowed to go untreated, the less chance there is for recovery. What began as a minor problem or discomfort may lead to irreversible damage.

The purpose of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine is to return flow of energy and blood back to normal and to reinstate optimal organ function. This will, in turn, encourage restored function to the affected area and the body will begin to heal itself. If detected early, organ malfunction and blood and/or energy stagnation may respond well to Oriental Medicine with an excellent chance for a complete and painless recovery.