Treatments
Acupuncture uses small, sterile, single-use, stainless steel needles; very sharp, less than 1mm thick; approximately the thickness of a human hair. When placed through the skin they feel like a slight, brief, prick – and then you hardly know they are there! Needles are placed by the area of focus. As few as 4 needles. As many as 20 needles, sometimes more. Some treatments include electrical pulsation to the needles. This feels like vibration, NOT like a shock. Needles are left in for 12-30 minutes. The room is quiet. Most patients doze off during the treatment. We check on you from time to time, and you will have a call button to reach the staff. We see you weekly or twice per week until you are better, and then decide if you need regular visits or just as needed.
Common Treatments
Mega Mu Shu or Ming Men
This is a go-to treatment for fatigue, chronic fatigue, low immunity, adrenal fatigue, whatever ails you! Based on Kidney (adrenal) energy focus. Done face down. 4 points at the waistline for Kidney Yin + Kidney Yang. 30 minutes. Gentle electrical stimulation. Awesome.
PENS
Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation – This is a go-to treatment for musculoskeletal pain; acute or chronic. Lower Back – Upper Back and Neck are prime targets for these needles. 4-12 needles per area; medium to strong E-stim. 30 minutes.
Tai Yin – Yang Ming
Spleen Stomach Meridian – This is a bread and butter treatment for many INTERNAL issues such as Irritable Bowel, other stomach issues, plus lungs and sinuses. But like Ming Men is also a strong over-all Energy treatment. We will look at you, listen to you, check the brightness of your eyes, and maybe check your tongue to decide what energy formula fits best.
Cupping
This is not acupuncture per se but is a favorite and time-tested technique of Chinese Medicine and Medical Acupuncture. It is suction cups. They are placed on the body; light or tight; to loosen muscles and / or increase blood flow. Cups leave some bruises that will last for a day or two.
Ear needles
Tiny needles in the ear that reinforce the body points. Or they may be used alone as a quick calming for anxiety, settling of nausea, reduction of cravings for nicotine or food. Some acupuncturists use ONLY ear points. They are small but powerful! They are also portable, so you may go home with some forms of ear points. Cool.
Wei Qi Tonification
Also called a ‘Winterizing Treatment’, useful in treating respiratory problems & infections, and to strengthen & boost the immune defense system and stamina. This treatment is combined with Mega Mu Shu.
GAM (Great American Malady Tx aka Coffee-Aggravated Headache Tx)
Useful for anxiety, restlessness, irritability, headaches, tension in neck and upper back, tension and migraine, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain and muscle cramps, caffeine sensitivity, and insomnia.
Chong Mo – Yang Ming
Useful for pain and functional problems of pelvic structures, inguinal and low lumbar back pain, sexual dysfunction, gynecologic problems and disorders, menstrual issues, fertility, endocrine problems.
Autonomic Cocktail
For autonomic dysregulation: tension-induced myofascial pain, stress-related myo-fascial pain (example: constant neck pain), PTSD autonomic agitation, fibromyalgia, & trigeminal neuralgia.
Percutaneous Nerve Stimulation (PENS) for Back Pains
PENS involves sequential or simultaneous electro-acupuncture using low, mid-range, and high frequencies for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Common areas treated: Neck & Upper back, Low Back & Gluteal, Hip, & Sciatica
Periosteal Stimulation or Periosteal Electro-Acupuncture for Joint Pain
A highly effective technique to relieve the deep and chronic pain associated with traumatic or degenerative bone changes, especially when less invasive techniques have not been successful.
Joints treated include Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Elbow, Wrist, Ankle, and Foot.
Trigger Point Deactivation
Treats areas of myofascial pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Patients can usually feel the release of the ‘knot’ in the muscle during the procedure.