East Asian Medicine Services

      Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands or with electrical stimulation. 

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     Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.

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     What does acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture is done using hair-thin needles. Most people report feeling minimal pain as the needle is inserted. The needle is inserted to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. Needles may be heated during the treatment or mild electric current may be applied to them. Some people report acupuncture makes them feel energized. Others say they feel relaxed.

 

       Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including:

• Heat (moxibustion)

• Pressure (acupressure)

• Friction

• Suction (cupping)

• Impulses of electromagnetic energy

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     National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies.

     Chinese Herbal Medicine employs the same diagnostic methods as other types of TCM and, rather than using sterilized disposable Acupuncture needles to provide the treatment, it uses Traditional Chinese Medical ingredients such as roots, leaves and flowers which are combined according to classical Chinese Prescriptions to treat the client’s condition.

Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used with or without the accompaniment of Acupuncture treatment.

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     In TCM, every individual is unique and the condition behind apparently identical symptoms must be individually assessed. After a full TCM diagnosis, a classical base prescription is selected which is then amended and adjusted to precisely fit this person’s complaint and condition.