ACUPUNCTURE | INNER ALCHEMY - OPEN MIND HOLISTICS

ACUPUNCTURE & INNER ALCHEMY

"Qi cannot travel without a path, just as water flows or the sun and moon orbit without rest."
-- Ling Shu, Ch.apter 17

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional medicine that utilizes manipulation of specific points on the body to achieve intervention during the course of disease. This therapeutic modality is one of several health care practices that developed in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea over thousands of years.

According to the National Institute of Health acupuncture treats a variety of conditions, including: nausea and vomiting, addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

Acupuncture works on a mind-body level

Stress and disease often are due to a lack of physiological homeostasis, and can also be the initial causes themselves. In the practice of traditional acupuncture, such imbalances are thought of as "improper qi-dynamic." Stimulating points through needle insertion, heat application, massage, and meditation therapeutically alters the movements of qi to support disease prevention while improving the body's innate healing ability.

Qi encompasses all the functional processes of the body, including:

physiological activity and metabolism
raising and maintaining body temperature
immune function
production, conversion, and distribution of blood/fluids
prevention of fluid loss

Each person responds to needle insertion differently, and a skilled acupuncturist knows many different styles of manipulation to accommodate individual preferences.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GET ACUPUNCTURE?

Many people seek out an acupuncturist in order to treat musculoskeletal
disorders, as well as for chronic pain and stress management. In 1979, the
World Health Organization published a long list of the variety of conditions
treated by acupuncture, including: anxiety, addiction disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), numerous gynecological problems, early stages of cold and flu, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, arthritis, asthma, and reflux disorder.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?

Often needling can be painless and produces a sense of deep relaxation. A fun fact is that because they are so thin, about 35-40 acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle. Sometimes a person can feel a slight pinch upon insertion, but this sensation typically fades quickly. Occasionally a point will feel a strong dull ache after needling, this is a sign of therapeutic effect and often fades within minutes.

HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE AFFECT PAIN?

Due to the wide range of body systems affected by acupuncture, different bio-medically oriented theories exist which aim to explain the mechanisms by which therapeutic effects are achieved:

Insertion of needles shifts chronic pain patterns by stimulating nerve junctions in muscle groups -- causing tense fibers to relax,
Stimulation of the central nervous system by acupuncture points causes the release of endorphins, that work to alleviate stress and pain.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?

Your first acupuncture treatment you will go through a detailed medical history with your acupuncturist. This will take longer than future sessions. Your acupuncturist will explain the specifics of acupuncture techniques and associated services. You and your acupuncturist will discuss the initial assessment regarding duration of treatment and treatment goals. The cost of treatment includes acupuncture, or extra associated services (i.e. bodywork, moxa, and cupping), and is made up of a consultation fee plus an amount based on the duration of treatment.

WHAT EXTRA BODYWORK SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

In conjunction or in lieu of acupuncture, I perform many other therapeutic services, such as: heat therapy (moxibustion), herbal medicine, physical medicine (cupping, tuina, shiatsu, gua sha), exercise therapy (tai chi, Qigong, stretching), and dietary/lifestyle management.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

The course of treatment will always depend upon the individual and the presenting pattern, however most acute conditions should be resolved within 2-4 weeks while chronic disorders may take anywhere between 4-6 weeks and up to several years to resolve.

At Open Mind Holistics, our acupuncturist, Isaac Hoft, will work to support your physical and mental health through acupuncture, tui na, moxa, cupping, and other modalities. In addition to a classical Chinese based approach, Isaac utilizes many acupuncture techniques including the Japanese Kototama style, Taiwanese Balance Method, Taoist Alchemy, and conventional myofascial release. Isaac is passionate about helping people heal and grow with acupuncture and bodywork.