Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Japanese Acupuncture

Our acupuncturists are trained in both Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture, but have refined their skills in a gentle Japanese-style called Hari. One may ask, “What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese acupuncture?” Japanese acupuncture needles are much thinner, fewer are used and the needling is more superficial. The pulse at the wrist is re-examined and new points are chosen as the treatment progresses based on the client’s individual response to treatment. Because point selections throughout the treatment session, clients are not left alone in the room with needles retained. Indigenous styles of acupuncture emerged in Japan after the introduction of classical Chinese medical texts from China in the 6th century A.D. Through its own evolutionary process, Japanese acupuncture has taken on characteristics that make it unique from the Chinese approach. Regardless of the style, an acupuncture treatment should not only be effective, but also a pleasant experience that leaves you feeling refreshed, calm and relaxed.

Oriental Medicine

Oriental Medicine originated in China over 3,000 years ago and is presently used as a primary health care system throughout the world. It is a method of balancing and building the body's life force or energy known as "qi" (Chinese) or “ki” (Japanese). Acupuncturists recognize particular

pathways called "meridians" through which this energy circulates. From the perspective of Oriental Medicine, disease is the result of an imbalance or blockage in the body's natural energy flow. Such imbalance manifests in physical, emotional and psychosomatic stress-related disorders. The diagnostic process takes into account our physical and emotional constitution, and incorporates the external environmental or lifestyle influences that may be related to the symptoms. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin, sterile, stainless steel needles into specific points along meridians in order to disperse the blockage and mobilize the body's natural healing response. Needling is one of a number of energy balancing techniques. Also included in Oriental Medicine are dietary counseling, massage techniques, herbal formulas, and moxibustion.

Symptoms and diseases are not isolated occurrences, they are signs pointing to an underlying imbalance within the body. Oriental Medicine treats not only the symptoms of an illness, but also aims to correct the underlying imbalances that have caused the illness to arise. This treatment approach results in better overall health, and it helps to prevent the return of an illness and its symptoms in the future.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture has proven effective in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Facial palsy/tics

• Fatigue

• Fertility

• Fibromyalgia

• Gingivitis

• Headache

• Hiccup

• Incontinence

• Indigestion

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Low back pain

• Menopause

• Menstrual irregularities

• Migraine

• Morning sickness

• Nausea

• Osteoarthritis

• Pain

• Addictions

• Anxiety

• Arthritis

• Asthma

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Chronic fatigue

• Colitis

• Common cold

• Constipation

• Dental pain

• Depression

• Diarrhea

• Digestive trouble

• Dizziness

• Dysentery

• Emotional problems

• Eye problems

• PMS

• Pneumonia

• Reproductive problems

• Rhinitis

• Sciatica

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

• Shoulder pain

• Sinusitis

• Sleep disturbances

• Smoking cessation

• Sore throat

• Stress

• Tennis elbow

• Tonsillitis

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Urinary tract infections

• Vomiting

What you can expect during your treatment

Your acupuncturist will carefully evaluate your condition by asking questions about past and present medical history, taking the pulses, palpating the abdomen and various areas of the body for tenderness. The 30-minute initial consultation allows your acupuncturist to gather information in order to develop a complete and comprehensive picture of your health according to an Oriental medical diagnosis. After arriving at a specific diagnostic conclusion, one or several of the following techniques will be incorporated:

Needles: Thin, sterile, stainless steel needles are superficially placed in specific acupuncture points. The needles are at least 20 times thinner than typical hypodermic needles and insertion is painless. You may feel a dull ache or tingling sensation when the needle is stimulated. Acupuncture calms the nervous system, so it is common to feel very relaxed during the treatment.

Moxa: Moxa is a Chinese herb (mugwort) which is rolled into sticks or sesame seed sized cones and burned above or on the skin. This aromatic herb creates a warming and pleasant sensation as it stimulates acupuncture points.

Herbs and Nutrition:

Herbs and nutrition are an intrinsic aspect of Oriental Medicine. Herbs can be very effective in reducing acute conditions or as a dietary supplement which will build and strengthen the body’s vitality. Your acupuncturist will discuss the importance of a high quality diet and dietary choices that are specific to your individual condition.

Massage: Massage and body work are often applied

in coordination with needling to aid

relaxation and facilitate the movement of ki in the meridians.

Our Clinic:

Unlike many acupuncture clinics where multiple clients are treated at the same time and left alone with needles retained, our clients are treated one at a time. You will receive the highest quality treatment with the full attention of your acupuncturist. Throughout the course of every session, your acupuncturist will check your response to the treatment and adapt it accordingly.

More information:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

Home Acupuncture Cosmetic Acupuncture Massage Therapy

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