Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to about 5000 years ago. Although there are many scholars debating the exact date and start points to the medicine, we can all agree it’s an incredibly wise ancient medicine.
Modern approach means a present time view and explanation of how acupuncture works and I am here to tell you that Acupuncture is NEUROSCIENCE. When we study the body’s incredible nervous system, we see a huge correlation with the acupuncture meridians and points.
The effect of placing a needle on one of those points induces a chemical reaction within the body that sends signals throughout the nervous system (hence the saying “it’s all connected”) and brings a mixture of anti-inflammatory molecules, fresh blood cells, pain reducing endogenous chemicals and tissue repairing cells to the site of insertion. The brain also receives the signals and gets flooded with feel good hormones: dopamine, serotonin, melatonin (did anyone say “help my insomnia!!”?!) and pain modulating chemicals.
This is why I say acupuncture is neuroscience. It’s not elusive, it’s very real, with measurable blood level changes as published in this article from PubMed.
I have been in practice for almost 15 years and have treated many different ailments. Please contact me if you have specific questions about the scope of my practice.
Issues commonly treated by Acupuncture include the following:
- Pain anywhere in the body: chronic and acute, from injury or arthritic
- Auto-immune disorders – such as Lupus, Chrone’s, Sjogren’s syndromes
- Post surgery recovery
- Bell’s palsy
- PMS, cramps, amenorrhea, fertility support and menopause support
- emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, fears, OCD, grief
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Digestive complaints – including IBS, Chrone’s, IBD, chronic and acute diarrhea and constipation
The treatments can include Acupuncture, moxa, cupping and/or gua sha, and they’re completely dependent on each individual’s needs.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine have a powerful impact on hormonal balance, calming the mind, relaxing the body, getting us into a more “rest and digest” state , rather than the “flight or fight” mode
I prefer to combine treatments with dietary and life style advice, as I believe in educating patients for successful changes in the their life, promoting healthy living and improved life quality.