frequently asked questions about acupuncture

acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, “healthy” means your body is in a state of energy balance. This energy is known as chi or qi. When chi is blocked or stagnates, the body manifests this in many different unhealthy ways, involving both our physical and emotional well being. During acupuncture, thin needles are placed at points of blocked or stagnate chi, bringing the body back into balance.

Acupuncture types at altTHERA

Treatment Acupuncture: Your first treatment session begins with an in-depth consultation with our acupuncturist, during which you discuss your medical history. Using this information, our acupuncturist creates a health care plan to address your health concern and possibly other concerns uncovered during this consultation. The first session also includes a treatment with the acupuncture needles (sometimes called a needling). How you respond to the acupuncture will inform your future treatment sessions. Acupuncture can be used to treat many different disease and conditions, including back and neck pain, TMJ, infertility, migraine and weight loss.

Restoration Acupuncture: Our acupuncturist uses a series of points along specific meridians with the intention of helping you feel restored, relaxed, and balanced. A refreshing break in the middle of the day, Restoration Acupuncture takes about 30 minutes and is a great way to spend your lunch hour.

During an acupuncture session

In order to restore balance and a healthy energy flow to the body, needles are inserted at specific locations along the body’s meridians. These needles are inserted just deep enough into the skin to keep them from falling out and are left in place for several minutes. This should cause virtually no pain. The acupuncturist may twirl the needles or apply heat or a mild electrical current to enhance the effects of acupuncture.

Conditions and diseases for which acupuncture can be used

Clinical studies have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for many diseases and conditions. The table below lists some of the condition, disorders, and issues that acupuncture can be used to treat.