Acupuncture, or “needle therapy” (zhenjiu) as it is called in Chinese, is an ancient form of medicine which is gaining more and more popularity in this country for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. During a treatment, very thin, solid, hairlike needles are inserted at specific points on the body.

In Chinese these points are called “neural nodes” (jie) and the stimulation of these nodes affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It triggers the release of the body’s internal chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins, which have pain-relieving properties. This method is over 2,500 years old and is derived from the I Ching, one of the oldest books in the world. This method has several names such as: “I Ching Acupuncture,” “The Balance Method,” or “Distal Point Acupuncture.” Regardless of the name, the effects are nothing less than miraculous. The acupuncture points used are on the scalp and ears, from the elbows to the fingers, and from the knees to the toes. Consequently, the patient never has to take off their clothes and the treatments are efficient, comfortable and extremely effective.

The Balance Method produces instantaneous results making it an invaluable treatment for pain. This style of Acupuncture also helps to create a treatment matrix for some more difficult conditions which have not responded to other types of treatment.

There are over three hundred sixty acupuncture points on the body. Each has its own specific function. Depending on the desired effect, different techniques can be used to either stimulate, sedate, or regulate blood circulation and the central nervous system to restore health. Each acupuncture point has its own specific depth at which the needle should be inserted. Every acupuncturist is well aware of any organs, nerves, and vasculature underneath and surrounding every point. After a treatment, patients feel relaxed and rejuvenated with partial or total relief of major symptoms.

Acupuncture treatments may be combined with other forms of Alternative Medicine such as Diet and Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Physical Medicine, and Therapeutic Exercises.  Many patients in enjoy one treatment per week as a health maintenance measure.

How does acupuncture work?

The Chinese have developed, over thousands of years, a working theory of acupuncture. They discovered pathways, called meridians, along the body that relate to the organs and systems of the body through which qi travels. When the flow of qi is disturbed for any reason, there is disruption in health, resulting in pain, persistent symptoms, or illness. Qi can be deficient, in excess or blocked. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along the meridians, the energy is regulated, and health can be restored. Acupuncture works to restore the flow of qi within the body and bring it back to a place of balance. This in turn can alleviate pain, resolve symptoms, and eliminate disease.