Inner Peace Acupuncture & Wellness A Holistic Approach To Wellness

What is Acupuncture?

Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life. Oriental medical theory explains these disharmonies as an imbalance of opposing forces called yin and yang. This imbalance disrupts the movement of the body's vital energy (qi) along the meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture restores the smooth flow of qi. Through the insertion and manipulation of these needles stagnant energy, or qi, that may have been blocked is now released and free to flow properly again.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin,and flexible.  Most people hardly feel the insertion.  When the needles are gently stimulates, they produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, often more then one treatment is necessary. Patients usually start off with once-a-week treatments, which are then tapered in frequency as their conditions improve. Acute conditions might only take a couple of sessions before being resolved. Whereas, chronic conditions might require a longer treatment protocol. Each patient will experience different results.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique.  The needles used are pre-packaged and 100% sterilized. They are only used once and then are properly disposed of in labeled biohazard containers.

Your First Visit

The first visit includes a detailed health history intake, the acupuncture treatment, and treatment planning.  The health history intake includes questions about present and past illnesses, family history, present overall health, etc.  These questions are important because Chinese Medicine does not focus on one symptoms instead treats the entire body. 

After the health history review, the acupuncture treatment will consist of points that are careful chosen specifically for your condition.  Many people find acupuncture treatment deeply relaxing, and it is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during this time.

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for many health conditions.  Currently, the National Institute of Heath (NIH) has determined that acupuncture is effective in treating over 40 different disease categories, some of which include: pain, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, infertility, headaches, IBS, high blood pressure, insomnia.  For more information about what we specialize in, please visit the specialties page.  If you are wondering if acupuncture can help you with a specific condition, please feel free to contact us.