Q: What are the acupuncture needles like? Do they hurt?
A: The acupuncture needles used are disposable, sterile, and only used one time. There is nothing on the needle, except a silicone coating to help them glide into the skin. In case of a silicone allergy, we can order non-silicone or golden needles. These needles are solid and extremely thin (several hair’s width) - much thinner than a hollow hypodermic needle.
The initial sensation when inserting the needles may feel like: a dull ache, a pricking sensation, and a sense of calm as the endorphins kick in.
If you are nervous or squeamish about the needling, I will help coach you through it with breathing exercises, and you will know exactly what is going on the whole time. If you don’t want to receive a needle or a certain point, always let your acupuncturist know.
Once the needles are inserted, the initial sensation is no longer felt, but you may feel sensations in other parts of the body, along a limb, or even along the actual acupuncture meridians (channels of energy that run through the body, in between structures such as bones, tendons and ligaments).
If you feel a sharp sensation at first, that is okay because some points are more sensitive than others. If it persists, let your acupuncturist know. We do not want pain or discomfort during the treatment. You will also feel relaxed, and people often report feeling more clarity, better sleep, a greater ability to handle stress, and a reduction in physical symptoms after treatment.
The initial sensation when inserting the needles may feel like: a dull ache, a pricking sensation, and a sense of calm as the endorphins kick in.
If you are nervous or squeamish about the needling, I will help coach you through it with breathing exercises, and you will know exactly what is going on the whole time. If you don’t want to receive a needle or a certain point, always let your acupuncturist know.
Once the needles are inserted, the initial sensation is no longer felt, but you may feel sensations in other parts of the body, along a limb, or even along the actual acupuncture meridians (channels of energy that run through the body, in between structures such as bones, tendons and ligaments).
If you feel a sharp sensation at first, that is okay because some points are more sensitive than others. If it persists, let your acupuncturist know. We do not want pain or discomfort during the treatment. You will also feel relaxed, and people often report feeling more clarity, better sleep, a greater ability to handle stress, and a reduction in physical symptoms after treatment.
Q: What does treating the Body, Mind and Spirit mean? What is the Spirit?
A: Acupuncturists treat the Spirit using Chinese Medicine and applied Chinese philosophy. Helping the physical body and the mind heal facilitates the healing of the Spirit as well. This allows for a lightness of being, a contentedness with oneself, an inner peace. Treating the spirit itself will allow the body and mind to relax and the Qi (energy) and blood will then flow more smoothly, helping you to feel physically and mentally better. The Spirit of you is your True Self. Anything obstructing you from your true self is a block to treatment, and is something we can release through acupuncture, with you as an active participant in your healthcare and your process of healing. This blockage could be an idea about the self that is not fully true, or an idea about others or the world. It can also include past traumas or wounds, and anything that may be holding you back from being the fullest expression of yourself. We can use needles, words and bodywork to touch the spirit, helping you feel better inside yourself even when there may be turbulence all around you. We help facilitate your transformation toward your Dao, or Destiny. You chose to be here and are meant to have a duty in this life, as well as to learn lessons. We can help you access this, and help clear traumas, including intergenerational issues. It’s like wearing tinted glasses and our worldview is filtered through this lens. When we take off the tinted glasses, we are left with the truth of what is, and what our purpose is in this life.
Q: What is Gua Sha?
This is a rose quartz Gua Sha tool! This is a tool of Chinese Medicine to perform the bodywork technique Gua Sha. This therapy consists of scraping the skin & fascia in areas of body pain or tension, and is very effective for areas such as the back, shoulders and neck. Gua is the scraping part, and Sha is what we are trying to get out of the body such as energy/Qi/blood stagnation, phlegm/dampness, and physical and emotional stress and tension. A salve or oil is applied so the scraping can be done in smooth motions. The more Sha we see, the more stagnation we are releasing from your body, and the better you will feel. Don’t be alarmed by the redness, this is a good thing! Gua Sha can be a part of your regular acupuncture treatments. Call/text/email to schedule an appointment.
Q: How does acupuncture help anxiety?
Did you know that acupuncture helps with mental health? The treatment itself releases endorphins, boosts serotonin, affects our endocannabinoid and opioid receptors (a natural high), and calms the nervous system. Certain points and treatments, however, target anxiety and its causes and symptoms specifically. There are points to turn off the fight or flight response. We can lessen heart palpitations and “nervous stomach” symptoms. There are points to help open the chest and help with breathing. We can clear heat in the case of sweating and heat symptoms. We can calm the mind and ground you in the case of racing thoughts and insomnia. There is even an extraordinary vessel which, when treated, can stop anxiety attacks and panic! Lifestyle coaching in accordance with Chinese Medicine principles also can help improve anxiety conditions, and even our perspective regarding anxiety. Come get calm and blissed out with acupuncture!
Q: Does acupuncture help with stress?
Certain acupuncture points and point combinations can turn off the “fight or flight” response (sympathetic nervous system), and activate “rest and digest” (the parasympathetic). Acupuncture also releases endorphins or “feel good” chemicals. Calming the nervous system helps with anxiety, depression, irritability, mood in general, PTSD symptoms such as hypersensitivity/hypervigilance, digestion, sleep issues/insomnia, mental rumination, and manifestations of anxiety such as sweating, palpitations, and panic.
