What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an age-old healing practice of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are placed at specific points in the body. It's is used to relieve pain and treat various other medical conditions such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, nausea, digestive issues, migraines, TMJ and more.
How long can I expect my treatment to be?
Initial visits generally last sometime between 1 and 2.5 hours. Subsequent visits may last anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
How does it work?
Numerous recent studies conducted by scientists in Europe and the United States have found that acupuncture is effective in treating a variety of health conditions and providing pain relief.
Acupuncture increases circulation and speeds recovery. Acupuncture has the effect of constricting or dilating blood vessels. This may be caused by the body's release of vasodilators, such as Histamine, in response to acupuncture.
Acupuncture stops pain. Acupuncture stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body and Acupuncture closes certain nerve gates by strategically overloading them with impulses, thus reducing pain transmission
Acupuncture helps relieves stress, depression and many other neurological issues. Acupuncture affects certain neurotransmitter levels such as Serotonin and Noradrenalin.
Acupuncture helps ward off illness. Acupuncture raises levels of specific hormones called prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, and overall antibody levels.
What Conditions Does it Treat?
Since acupuncture was the primary form of medicine in Asia for thousands of years and has a foundational principle governing diagnosis and treatment, therefore it can be used for almost any type of ailment. Listed below are some, but not all conditions treatable by acupuncture:
Pain: Arthritis, Joint Pain, Bone Pain, Headaches, Nerve Pain,Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Tennis Elbow, TMJ, Fibromyalgia, Dental Pain, Cancer Pain
Stress: Emotional Distress, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Smoking Cessation, Addictions, Dizziness, Fatigue
Digestive Conditions: Nausea, Vomiting, GERD, Gastritritis, Diarrhea, Constipation, IBS, Dysentery, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease
Respiratory Conditions: Asthma, Sore Throat, Cold/Flu, Headaches, Tonsillitis, Sinusitis, Allergies, Ear Infections, Shortness of Breath
Women’s Health Conditions: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menstrual Disorders, Menopause, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
General: Hot Flashes, Migraines, Weight Loss, Sugar Cravings, Chronic Fatigue, Infertility
Does it hurt?
Although every person has a different level of pain tolerance the insertion of acupuncture needles by a skilled practitioner should not hurt. Rather a deep, dull sensation may be felt in the region punctured. Such a sensation should be felt for a few seconds or minutes and then recede. Needles are typically retained from 15 to 45 minutes.
How long does it take to work?
One of the advantages of acupuncture at Acupuncture Integration is that skilled and licensed practitioner assess and treats each patient as an individual with a unique pathology. All patients must undergo a consultation before we can prescribe a treatment plan to suit you. We guarantee that each of our patients will receive the highest standard of care. Typically, however, patients feel some relief after the first treatment and with a thorough treatment plan, and patient compliance, the healing process can be dramatically increased.
How do I book an appointment?
To book an appointment simply call (805) 319-1959. We are open Monday - Friday and can book an appointment time that fits your schedule. We are also available to make house calls as well.
“I’d been having severe right foot pain for over a year. I went to several physicians, a podiatrist, and was fitted with a brace from a physical therapist. The pain was sometimes less and other times severe.
I was skeptical. To my surprise after the first treatment I had marked relief. I had two additional treatments. My pain is almost completely gone. I feel like acupuncture has given me the opportunity to lead a more normal life and the ability to walk pain free. Thank you Jonathan.”