ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINE

Chinese Medicine is a complete health care system with its own unique theories of anatomy, health, and treatment.  While practitioners treat all kind of issues, there is an emphasis on prevention of disease and illness, using acupuncture, herbs, bodywork, and diet and lifestyle guidance.  Each patient is treated based on her/his own unique constitution as well as the current health complaint.  This practice of treating the individual instead of the disease results in longer-lasting results and improvement of overall health.  Chinese Medicine treats the mind/heart and body simultaneously, as these are not viewed as separate but as interdependent sides of the same whole.

 
Acupuncture is typically the main modality used by Chinese Medicine practioners.  Hair-thin, sterile needles are inserted into acupuncture points along the 14 pathways on the body.  These pathways are where we can access the Qi, or vital force that is responsible for our well-being.  The goal is to assist and support the body’s natural healing process.  Acupuncture can clear blockages and correct imbalances in the body that are causing the problem and keeping you from recovering.  Herbs are useful for nourishing your deficiences and for expelling pathogens, and are usually needed for a short amount of time.  

Each treatment lasts between 30-90 minutes and in addition to acupuncture may consist of cupping, moxabustion (heat therapy), qi gong, and body work.  Sometimes only a few treatments are needed to recover, and other situations are more stubborn or complicated and require a longer course of treatments.