WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture originated in China over 2,500 years ago. It is part of the holistic system of healing known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (“TCM”). TCM examines the entirety of a human being including his/her body, mind and emotions. Acupuncture is based upon inserting very fine needles along the 14 meridians in specific acupoints on the body to heal illnesses, prevent disease and improve well-being. It also helps prevent or treat illness by improving the overall function of the body’s immune and organ systems.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Chinese Medical theory holds that vital life energy ”Qi” circulates through the human body by way of channels called meridians. Points on the skin along these channels/pathways are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures, and systems. Excess, deficient or obstructed "Qi" causes pain or dysfunction. When this flow of energy is smooth and unobstructed good health result. However, if for any reason, this flow is blocked and disrupted then ailments and disease occur. Inserting needles at various points along the channels to remove the blockage, allowing “Qi” to flow and restoring harmony between the body's opposing forces of “Yin” and “Yang”. Studies indicate that acupuncture triggers signals in the nervous system to adjust the activities of the body's internal organs and to change the pain signals sent to the brain. Researchers have shown that acupuncture increases the brain's production of natural painkillers called endorphins. These substances are morphine-like chemicals that influence the body's perception of pain and make acupuncture particularly effective in pain control.

WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture's ability to treat many common disorders. Some examples are:

Addiction - Alcohol, smoking, food/drugs.

Circulatory Disorders - Hypertension, angina pectoris and anemia.

Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nervous System - Arthritis, migraines, headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, low back pain, neck and shoulder pain.

Emotional & Psychological Disorders - Depression, stress and anxiety.

Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat - Tinnitus, sore throat, sinusitis and red eyes.

Gastrointestinal Disorders - Acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis, constipation, diarrhea and indigestion.

Respiratory Diseases - Sinusitis, common cold and acute tonsillitis.

Urogenital Disorders - PMS, menopause, impotence, infertility and sexual dysfunction.

WHAT IS FACIAL REJUVENATION/COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE AND ITS BENEFITS?
Facial Rejuvenation acupuncture is also known as Cosmetic acupuncture or Non-surgical facelift. Based on the principles of Chinese Medicine, it helps the whole body look and feel younger by addressing the physical, mental and emotional patterns that cause disease and contribute to the aging process. Treatment involves the insertion of tiny acupuncture needles into specific areas of the face, neck, around the eyes and mouth to manipulate the movement of Qi or energy according to an individual's needs after being rooted by a constitutional treatment in the legs, feet, hands, arms and trunk of the body to affect changes in the face as well as the whole body.

Facial acupuncture may take 5-10 years off your face. On your first visit for facial acupuncture we'll discuss your overall health history, including any physical, mental or emotional issues in your life that you feel you want to work on. We will evaluate what changes you would like to see in your face and skin before any treatment can begin. In general, the treatments are very relaxing and take about 1-1 ½ hours long. Each Facial Rejuvenation acupuncture treatment is individualized according to how each person is aging. The course of the treatment is between 10-12 sessions, and 1-3 times a week. For longer lasting results, a series of treatments are recommended. Additional courses of treatment may be desirable depending on your skin and it's condition; lines, wrinkles, sagging and puffiness. Maintenance maybe needed once or twice every month. Each individual will respond different to the treatment depending on their health condition, diet, age, genetic makeup and lifestyle. Example: for smokers at least 20 treatments are recommended. For some patients a significant difference can be observed after the 6th-8th treatment. It is also recommended to supplement with facial self -massage/acupressure, herbal or nutritional supplements, skin care products, maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise and a healthy diet.

In summary the benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture may include:

- Decrease/Elimination of fine lines on the face and discoloration of the face while simultaneously supporting overall health
- Emergence of one's innate beauty and radiance
- Helps menopause and other GYN issues
- Hormonal balancing for hormonal acne or dry skin
- Helps sinus congestion and headache
- Improved muscle tone, dermal contraction and facial color through increased circulation
- Improves metabolism
- Increased collagen production, skin firmness, local blood and lymph circulation to the face giving a natural bright glow to dry and dull skin.
- Lifting of drooping eyelid, helps reduce frown lines and double chin
- Moistening of the skin through increased circulation to the face
- Minimize puffiness around the face, dark circles under the eyes and scars
- Promotes overall health and well-being
- Reduction of age spots, bags under the eyes, wrinkles, sagging
- Reduces symptoms of toothache, TMJ, Bell's palsy and trigeminal neuralgia
- Reduction of stress evident in the face
- Retards hair loss and hair greying
- Slows down the aging process
- Tightening of the pores

WHAT IS AURICULTHERAPY?
Auricultherapy is also known as ear acupuncture. A treatment system based on normalizing the body's pain, dysfunction and regulate the body's internal organs through stimulation of points on the ear that correspondence to specific parts of the body. The human ear is regarded as a mini map of the body. Imagine the ear to be the shape of a baby upside down in the foetal position then the anatomy of the ear corresponds roughly to the anatomy of the body. These ear points can be treated with needles, a small electric stimulator or small pellets or seeds applied with tape and pressed to stimulate the points to improve your health problems.

Ear seeds are left in place over certain acupoints in the ear for a few days or up to 10days. This help to keep the treatment going or to provide the patient with the ability to continue the treatment themselves by stimulating these areas.

WHAT IS CUPPING THERAPY?
This therapy involves the use of cups for suction on the skin to promote and stimulate blood and energy flow to certain parts of the body. A single cup or multiple cups are used on acupoints or affected area to open up the meridians, relief pain, expel exterior pathogens wind, cold, dampness and toxins. After cupping patient's skin will have a temporarily red to dark red coloration or look like bruised. The colorations depend on how severe the problem is.

WHAT IS MOXIBUSTION?
It is the burning of herb moxa (Chinese mugwort) either directly on the skin or just above the skin over specific acupuncture points or over certain surface areas of the body relative to a condition. The heat warms the qi and blood in the channels and increases circulation especially if your condition is worse from cold, wind and or dampness. It is also used for maintenance of health.

WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT?
In your first visit, you'll need to fill in the Health History Questionnaire Forms. Consultation will follow. We will assess your health by feeling the pulsation at each wrist and by observing the color and form of your tongue, face and body. This information is interpreted in the context of a patient's present and past complaints, work and living habits, physical environment, family health history, emotional life, diet etc...In general treatment time is about 30-60 minutes. Some patient may need 90 minutes. This depend on the health problems. While patients often come in with previously diagnosed conditions or diseases, your acupuncture treatment will focus the functional energy/qi disturbance involved.

Please wear comfortable loose fitting clothes for your treatment. Drink plenty of water after your visits and refrain from any invigorating activities for the day.

DOES IT HURT AND IS IT SAFE?
Acupuncture is not usually painful. Some people would like to try acupuncture but may not because they assume it will be painful. The needles are solid and much finer than those used for injections or with drawing blood. In most cases only a slight prick is felt when the needle goes through the skin. Once the needles are in place you may expect to feel a dull sensation, heaviness, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up and down the affected meridians or energy pathway. There should be no pain while the needles are being retained in the body. If needle sensation bothers you in anyway, please tell us (rare occasion/patient position perhaps moved.) We will minimize the feeling of needle and still provide you a successful treatment. Once the needles are all in place, you rest for 30 to 60 minutes. During this time, you'll probably feel relaxed and sleepy and may even doze off. It is a safe procedure because use pre-sterilized, individual package needles and needles are disposed after one application.
 

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