Does acupuncture work?
Yes! Acupuncture has been an effective system of medicine for over 2,000 years. More recently, it has been recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the NIH (National Institutes of Health) to treat conditions ranging from musculoskeletal pain and chronic headaches to anxiety, insomnia and PMS.

I'm interested in acupuncture, but I'm scared of needles!!!
We've all encountered hypodermic needles in Western medicine- ouch. Acupuncture needles are very very different. They're designed NOT to hurt. The needles used in acupuncture treatment are very fine, about the diameter of a human hair. They are also very safe. I use sterile, single-use needles that are the smallest gauge available.

I'm curious about acupuncture- can I come for just one treatment?                                                                                                     Why not try Jin Shin Jyutsu instead? Jin Shin Jyutsu is a hands-on healing art from Japan. Similar in theory and diagnosis to acupuncture, it works via light touch on key energy junctions in the body. Gentle, relaxing, the perfect introduction to energy-based medicine- give it a try!

I'm not sick- why would I come for acupuncture?
Our health is our greatest resource! And good health doesn't just happen- it's something we build every day through the choices we make in how we eat, sleep, work and rest. Acupuncture supports and restores the proper functioning of the body's systems and supports vibrant health at any age. And yes, even kids can benefit from acupuncture.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some health plans do cover acupuncture- contact your provider directly to see if you have this benefit. While I do not participate directly with any insurance plans, I can provide you with the paperwork needed to receive reimbursement.

Do I have to choose between Western medicine and acupuncture?
No, you don't. Acupuncture and Western medicine work well together. A classic example is when someone is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. Western medicine treats the cancer. Acupuncture effectively treats the symptoms that often accompanies chemotherapy, including pain, fatigue, nausea and depression.

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to be effective?
No, you just have to be willing to have acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture has been used to great effect with animals- I don't think anyone asked a racehorse if he believed in acupuncture before his treatment.

How often do I need to come for acupuncture?
I recommend that you be willing to try a minimum of 5 weekly treatments. At that point, we will reassess how the acupuncture is addressing your concerns. Acupuncture is cumulative- the effects of treatment build on each other. Treatments are gradually spaced out for longer periods of time as you become stronger and healthier.

How does acupuncture work?
That's the million dollar question. And there are several answers. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, acupuncture regulates and balances the energetic physiology of the body which has a direct effect upon your physical anatomy and physiology. From the perspective of Western medicine, acupuncture is considered to have effects upon neurotransmitters and neuropeptides as well as upon the hypothalamus and pituitary. More recent research posits that acupuncture points are actually activating points within the fascia (the new frontier of Western anatomy and physiology). Western science was able to postulate the existence of atoms in the 19th century- we only developed the ability to photograph an electron in a hydrogen atom in 2013! I believe that scientists will one day be able to categorically prove how acupuncture works, but we may still be decades away from having scientific instrumentation with that level of sensitivity. Until that time, the effectiveness of acupuncture for the past 2,000 years (or more) speaks for itself.