Acupuncture
It is commonly believed that acupuncture is just a pain control technique that resets the pain receptors and pathways of the peripheral nervous system. Many people are surprised to learn that acupuncture can alter hormone levels, blood levels, digestive enzymes, stomach motility, endorphin levels and much more. Thus, acupuncture can treat conditions such as depression, peptic ulcer, hypertension, allergies, cough, incontinence and fibromyalgia.

The ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy behind all life's processes, and life's forms. They called this energy "Qi" (pronounced "chee"). They discovered that the body contains meridians (pathways of circulating Qi) and that each meridian was associated with a physiological system and organ. Through 23 centuries these doctors refined and experimented with this system, ascribing unique functions to each acupuncture point.

For example ST36 (Zusanli), a point just below the knee on the stomach channel can increase or decrease stomach motility, alter acid levels, raise white blood cell levels and decrease blood pressure (to name just a few functions).

Does Acupuncture hurt?
Receiving acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection.

Acupuncture needles are solid and very fine about the diameter of a human hair. We use special insertion tubes, which allow for a quick painless insertion. The sensation of Qi once an acupuncture point is accessed is often described as a drawing sensation.

Treatment
Our goal in Acupuncture is to balance the body's organ systems and promote the circulation of Qi. We do this by inserting very fine needles into carefully chosen points in the feet, arms and torso, often to bring about change in areas surprisingly far away from that point!

Our diagnosis is made from a detailed case history and discussion about all your body systems. We will look at your tongue and palpate your pulses. We also palpate your meridians, testing for relative excess and deficiency. In this way we create an overall picture of your health rather than isolating any one particular symptom.

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Food Allergies, peptic ulcers, constipation, anorexia, diarrhea, indigestion, gastritis, duodenal ulcer, Crohn's disease.

Urogenital Disorders
Stress incontinence, sexual dysfunction, infertility, bed-wetting, organ prolapse

Gynaecological Disorders
Irregular, heavy or painful menstruation, PMS, fibroids, menopausal symptoms.

Respiratory Disorders
Emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, common cold.