Acupuncture is one of several treatments employed by practitioners of TCM to address imbalances. Acupuncture works by promoting the flow of energy, or Qi, through your meridians, which are channels of energy that connect your organs and travel throughout your body. TCM and acupuncture can help with many health issues, such as:
Acupuncture as a safe treatment method that has been utilized for over 3,000 years as a technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Oriental Medicine. During a typical acupuncture treatment session, thin needles are inserted in precise acupuncture points / energy pathways of your body. Once the needle is inserted, a sensation will be created through manipulation of the needle by the physician. Once the sensation is created, the nervous system will notice the sensation and healing will begin.
In order to make sure acupuncture is the right treatment for you, our physicians will look at your tongue, check your pulse, identify symptom patterns, and any other imbalances or causes of symptoms.
Treatment will begin once one of our physicians determines that acupuncture is the right treatment for you. On average, 20 thin, hygienic, regulated, and safe needles are inserted in precise acupuncture points / energy pathways of your body for about 30 minutes.
Once the needle is inserted, a sensation will be created through manipulation of the needle by the physician. Once the sensation is created, the nervous system will notice the sensation, and will release natural chemicals to the area of pain to allow healing to occur.
The new patient consultation takes around 30 minutes, while the procedure itself takes another 30 minutes.
The main purpose of acupuncture is to treat mental and physical pain by bringing the energy flow back to normal balance in the areas that are being affected by injuries, conditions, and diseases. Acupuncture allows for the mind and body to return to its normal energy flow and natural healing state.
After- Patients should rest for a few hours and remain staying hydrated. They should also avoid intense exercise, alcohol, and refrain from other medical treatments.
The needles are very thin, so you may not even feel when our physician inserts them. Each patient’s pain tolerance varies, but most patients are satisfied with the little pain they feel. However, some trigger points and sensitive areas can cause early uneasiness, but often, an incredible soothing feeling replaces the early discomfort.
Yes, the acupuncture needles are sterile, regulated, and disposable to insure patient and physician safety. The procedure itself is also safe because there are no chemicals being injected into the body and no side effects to the treatment. However, some acupuncture points can be located near nerves, lungs, and other potentially dangerous areas. But, our highly trained physicians know where to be extra cautionary and provide you with a safe and effective experience.
Dr. Yong Deng and Dr. Sarah Trahan provide acupuncture at the Neil Riordan Center.