Acupuncture has been used for around 3000 years. It is the insertion of sterile needles into the skin at precise locations using clean needling techniques. Needle insertions are typically on or around specific points located along a channel or meridian. The therapeutic effect is expected to come from the insertion, manipulation and/or retention of needles in these areas. While acupuncture points may be stimulated in a variety of methods by a practitioner of acupuncture, acupuncture is when the insertion of a filiform acupuncture needle activates other parts of the body systematically.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can induce the release of hormones, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Because of this, acupuncture can help with pain and chronic health conditions.

To prepare for an appointment, it is important to have some food. It is not recommended to have acupuncture on an empty stomach because fainting, dizziness, sweating or nausea may be experienced. Additionally, after getting acupuncture, it is also important to rest and not do anything strenuous.

If it is your first visit to see an acupuncturist, be ready to fill out some forms that explains what we do with your forms, what acupuncture is and possible side effects or contraindications. You will also have a standard intake form to let us know a little bit about the condition(s) you are coming in for. After forms are filled, a few preliminary assessments are made before a diagnosis.

A diagnosis uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles such as a tongue and pulse diagnosis. Basically the four pillars of TCM. Some questions will be asked to help determine which TCM pattern may present. From here, a treatment plan will be recommended.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture existed separately and were once separate practices. Nowadays, some programs that still exist are teaching both. In some cases when acupuncture is contraindicated, herbal formulas can be used instead. CHM comes from the Materia Medica compendium of herbs believed to have dated back to over 4000 years ago. It included the collections of Shen Nong's discoveries of herbal flavors, temperatures, categories, actions, movements, and structure or hierarchy.

Since then, herbal functions have been mentioned, some herbs still remain, some have gone extinct while others have been added. There are many but around 364 herbs from the compendium are used by TCM herbalists to create unique formulas today. While some are safe for daily consumption or cooked as soups, it is always best to work with someone trained in Chinese Herbal Medicine for custom herbal formulas to avoid contraindications or adverse effects. To choose the right herb or herbal formula to match a condition, a tongue and pulse diagnosis and questions are often asked to help guide a TCM herbalist in providing the best recommendation(s).

References:

Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Sẗoger, E., Gamble, A., & Bensky, L. L. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Eastland Press

Brett, J. (2016). Clean needle technique manual. Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Evidence Based Acupuncture. (2024, June 8). Evidence based acupuncture. https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/

Hao, J. J., & Mittelman, M. (2014, July). Acupuncture: Past, present, and future. Global advances in health and medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4104560/

Yu, J.-S., Zeng, B.-Y., & Hsieh, C.-L. (2013). Acupuncture stimulation and neuroendocrine regulation. International Review of Neurobiology, 125–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-411545-3.00006-7

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Welcome!

Acupuncture

Herbal Medicine

	Welcome! Acupuncture Acupuncture has been used for around 3000 years. It is the insertion of sterile needles into the skin at precise locations using clean needling techniques. Needle insertions are typically on or around specific points located along a channel or meridian. The therapeutic effect is expected to come from the insertion, manipulation and/or retention of needles in these areas. While acupuncture points may be stimulated in a variety of methods by a practitioner of acupuncture, acupuncture is when the insertion of a filiform acupuncture needle activates other parts of the body systematically. Studies have shown that acupuncture can induce the release of hormones, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Because of this, acupuncture can help with pain and chronic health conditions. To prepare for an appointment, it is important to have some food. It is not recommended to have acupuncture on an empty stomach because fainting, dizziness, sweating or nausea may be experienced. Additionally, after getting acupuncture, it is also important to rest and not do anything strenuous. If it is your first visit to see an acupuncturist, be ready to fill out some forms that explains what we do with your forms, what acupuncture is and possible side effects or contraindications. You will also have a standard intake form to let us know a little bit about the condition(s) you are coming in for. After forms are filled, a few preliminary assessments are made before a diagnosis. A diagnosis uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles such as a tongue and pulse diagnosis. Basically the four pillars of TCM. Some questions will be asked to help determine which TCM pattern may present. From here, a treatment plan will be recommended. Herbal Medicine Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture existed separately and were once separate practices. Nowadays, some programs that still exist are teaching both. In some cases when acupuncture is contraindicated, herbal formulas can be used instead. CHM comes from the Materia Medica compendium of herbs believed to have dated back to over 4000 years ago. It included the collections of Shen Nong's discoveries of herbal flavors, temperatures, categories, actions, movements, and structure or hierarchy. Since then, herbal functions have been mentioned, some herbs still remain, some have gone extinct while others have been added. There are many but around 364 herbs from the compendium are used by TCM herbalists to create unique formulas today. While some are safe for daily consumption or cooked as soups, it is always best to work with someone trained in Chinese Herbal Medicine for custom herbal formulas to avoid contraindications or adverse effects. To choose the right herb or herbal formula to match a condition, a tongue and pulse diagnosis and questions are often asked to help guide a TCM herbalist in providing the best recommendation(s). References: Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Sẗoger, E., Gamble, A., & Bensky, L. L. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Eastland Press Brett, J. (2016). Clean needle technique manual. Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Evidence Based Acupuncture. (2024, June 8). Evidence based acupuncture. https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/ Hao, J. J., & Mittelman, M. (2014, July). Acupuncture: Past, present, and future. Global advances in health and medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4104560/ Yu, J.-S., Zeng, B.-Y., & Hsieh, C.-L. (2013). Acupuncture stimulation and neuroendocrine regulation. International Review of Neurobiology, 125–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-411545-3.00006-7
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