Pivotal Point Where healing happens.

Acupuncture

Having evolved over thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the oldest continually practiced medical modalities in the world. It is based on the principal that there is flow of life force. Oriental medical practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life.  In other words, pain or dysfunction is 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 by removing the blockage and reviving the usual flow through the meridians, restoring Qi and helping the body's internal organs with imbalances. 

Treatment involves the insertion and manipulation of flexible, hair-thin needles at specific points along the body's meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture is a safe, effective, chemical-free way to promote the body's remarkable self-healing abilities. It is used to prevent and treat disease, relieve pain, balance mood, lessen digestive complaints, increase fertility, and improve overall health and wellness. Make an Appointment >

Many studies have been carried out aiming to understand the mechanism of acupuncture. There may be a correlation between the electromagnetic fields in the body and the channels or meridians. So, this electrical theory of acupuncture suggests that acupuncture works by influencing the body's electromagnetic fields.

Acupuncture has been shown to have positive effects on the immune system, the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid, and production of blood cells. It also stimulates or alters the release of a variety of hormones, chemicals, and neurotransmitters that help body to cope with injury and stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 uses very thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when we insert them. When we gently stimulate the needles, they may 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. Many patients fall asleep! Read more information about what to expect here.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more then one treatment is necessary. In general, we tell our patients they should start to feel the benefits from acupuncture in about 3-5 treatments. If the problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after one treatment,  but expect to have 5-10 treatments. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis. In addition to acupuncture, we may recommend dietary changes, supplements, and/or exercises to improve the effect of the treatments. We have had patients get help with one problem and continue care for other issues. Because lifestyle is so important to treatment, after an initial case review clients also meet with our health coach to help them make health behavior changes.

How often should I be treated?

Typically we treat patients once a week at the beginning. If the condition is acute and painful, you may want to do treatments 2-3 times per week for the first couple of weeks. The benefits of acupuncture treatments tend to hold longer as you receive treatments, so what typically happens is that our patients start to need to see us less and less, so after a while they come periodically for maintenance.

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. We have passed comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and are licensed by the state. As required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.

What kind of training have you had?

I attended acupuncture school full-time for 3 years. Fran initially began her education at Pacific College of Health and Science in Chicago and then transferred to Midwest College of Oriental Medicine to continue as a full-time student. She continues to pursue knowledge so she can help as many people as possible by knowing how the body works according to different modalities.

Do I have to believe in it for it to work?

No. Acupuncture works whether or not you think it will. Acupuncture is even used successfully on animals and children. They do not understand or believe in the process yet they get better anyway. Consider, however, that a positive attitude helps with any type of therapy but it is not necessary to believe in acupuncture (or to feel it working) for it to work.

Since positive expectations and belief in a particular therapy help to increase therapeutic results, please talk with me about any concerns or doubts you may have about acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

Does acupuncture always help?

No, but it usually does. If you do not feel any benefit after 3-5 treatments, then acupuncture may not work for you.

Conditions Treated From A to Z

Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Below are some common conditions we can treat, but please feel free to contact us about your specific health condition.

• Abdominal discomfort
• Acid reflux
• Acute and chronic gastritis
• Addictions to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol
• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Arm, wrist and hand pain
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back, neck and shoulder pain
• Bell's palsy
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic indigestion
• Constipation
• Cough
• Dental pain
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive issues
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia 
• Frozen shoulder
• Headaches and migraines
• Heartburn
• Hip pain
• Increased efficacy of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Jaw pain (TMJ)
• Knee pain
• Leg, ankle and foot pain
• Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
• Mental and emotional wellbeing
• Menstrual disorders, including PMS
• Morning sickness
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain
• Peptic ulcer
• Postoperative pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Reproductive issues
• Respiratory complaints
• Sciatica
• Shingles, post-herpetic neuralgia
• Sinusitis
• Skin problems like acne, rash, psoriasis
• Sore throat
• Sports injuries
• Stomachache
• Stress
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow

"What is health?
Is it the absence of symptoms
or something more?"
--Dr. Howard Loomis