What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that uses very thin needles to restore the body’s natural flow of energy (also called Qi or chi). It is a safe, natural way to treat a variety of conditions. Acupuncture has been in use for thousands of years and is still helping people today.
Acupuncture is an extremely safe treatment modality. Many people find it very relaxing and calming, while others feel energized and more balanced mentally as well as physically.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world, and it’s popped up in many cultures over time. The reason it’s been so popular for so long is because it works!
Acupuncture can help you with a wide range of health issues, both physical and mental. It can help treat your pain, anxiety, injuries, inflammation, insomnia, hormonal imbalance, digestive woes, and many chronic and acute illnesses. While you may feel the effects of acupuncture right away—especially its calming effects—lasting benefits will generally take more sessions.
Your body is designed to heal. Acupuncture can help point your body in the right direction and remove some of the barriers so you can heal better and more effectively.
How does acupuncture work?
Most of us are familiar with the idea of Yin and Yang: two opposing forces that work together to balance each other out. Acupuncture takes this concept and applies it to your body’s energy. It helps balance it out so that you can feel healthy, and your body can function properly.
Exactly how acupuncture heals is unknown. It is thought that healing occurs when the needles tap into the nociceptor and proprioceptor areas of fascia. The brain receives strong signals to both release endorphins and gassotransmitters to restore blood circulation to the site of injury. You will often feel an immediate shift in the area of pain.
Whether you appreciate acupuncture as balancing the body’s Qi or you understand that it stimulates circulation, activates nerve pathways, and causes the release of the body’s natural chemicals like feel-good endorphins, the result is the same, better health.
What can you expect during an acupuncture treatment?
The first thing to know about acupuncture is that it’s not painful. Some common sensations include tingling, a dull ache, or just a slight pressure, but it is comfortable, and most patients describe feeling relaxed and many take a nap.
During an acupuncture treatment, you will lie down on a comfortable massage table while our professionally trained acupuncturist inserts sterile, one-time-use needles at specific points. The needles will be left in while you rest for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your treatment plan and how much time you have. Don’t worry though because in our open-concept space, your acupuncturist is right there is you need them. Chances are you’ll be napping though.
After treatment, you may feel sleepy and a bit lightheaded. It’s also possible you’ll feel energized. Both are normal reactions. You’ll likely feel really good for the rest of the day, but for cumulative effects, especially for complicated health conditions, lasting results will most likely take longer with more sessions needed.