Acupuncture & Adjunct Therapies

Acupuncture is one of the key elements used in Oriental Medicine.  A fine, solid, sterile, disposable  needle    is gently inserted into the skin at specific points often on unseen channels called meridians.

The needle stimulates Qi, which is the body’s vital energy, to move and send responses to various systems in the body.  Acupuncture is a natural way to facilitate the body to heal and balance itself.  The exact “how” it works is still not fully known but several theories have been noted in Western medicine about acupuncture affects our body systems:

• It stimulates the release of endorphins (which occurs in pain relief)
• It influences the release of neurotransmitters which send nerve impulses to the brain
• It influences the autonomic nervous system
• It stimulates blood and body fluid circulation
• It influences electrical currents of the body

Our style is a painless approach and we use as few needles as possible.  Acupuncture is usually painless and often sensations such as heaviness, tingling, warmth, coolness or  mild itching may be felt.  With a few sessions you will learn to feel the subtle changes in your own Qi or feel “something” moving.  In fact, most people find it a relaxing and pleasant experience.

This ancient medicine is based on the belief that the whole body integrates in a synergetic way.  Diseases, illness, pain or imbalances are symptoms of the mind, body and spirit not flowing smoothly.  To fully treat an individual, therefore, the medicine must address the entire body and not only the disease.  In Colorado, MD’s and Chiropractors can legally practice acupuncture without any training, or as little as a 100 hours.  But the true Oriental Medicine practioner has undergone extensive training, typically for at least 3 1/2 years in a full time year round program from an accredited institution. (see the link to AOMA).  Our in depth awards us a solid foundational understanding of how the mind, body and spirit are integrated in order to treat the entire being.  It isn’t a matter of placing a few needles here and there; rather, a system of flow that must be understood to effectively make changes in the mind/body.

Many conditions are treated by Oriental medicine such as:

• Stress / Tension
• Fatigue / Low energy
• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Digestive problems
• Respiratory problems
• Heart problems / Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Migraines and headaches
• Allergies / Asthma
• Constipation / Diarrhea
• Bell’s palsy
• Arthritis / Joint pain
• Sciatica and back pain
• Depression / Anxiety
• Sport’s injuries
• Infertility
• Bladder and kidney problems
• Menopausal discomforts

Needles are only one of the tools used in Oriental Medicine to affect the Qi.  Other Adjunct Therapies can be used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture, including Moxibustion, Cupping, Electro-Acupuncture (E-Stim) and  Bodywork.