Acupunture
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s own internal resources to facilitate healing and balance. Treatment involves the gentle insertion of hair thin sterile needles into precise locations on the body. It is one of the five branches of Oriental Medicine and has been practiced for more than 2000 years, along with bodywork, herbal and dietary treatment, meditation and movement.
Although it draws on ancient wisdom and practice it has become integrated with western medical approaches and subject to rigorous standards of modern research. Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the body's own immune response, produces endorphins, activates key brain regulatory centers and neurotransmitters, improves circulation, reduces inflammation, balances hormones and unblocks stuck energy. What we have observed through centuries of clinical practice is that acupuncture bolsters the body's own innate healing capacities.
Acupuncture offers a natural and effective course of treatment that avoids or reduces the need for medication and potential harmful side-effects. The most common effect of an acupuncture treatment is a feeling of deep relaxation. Acupuncture is a safe, painless therapy that can also be used with other courses of therapy. For more information please see the FAQ here.
Each treatment is custom tailored to each individual patient and able to address the whole person. The initial treatment includes an in-depth assessment of all areas of wellbeing, including your medical history, signs and symptoms, your mental emotional and spiritual wellbeing. For more information about what to expect as a new patient please see our page for new patients.
The effects of acupuncture can be very far-reaching and therefore we’re able to address a wide range of conditions. View our detailed list of conditions.
In addition to needles, several other therapies might be used in an acupuncture session, including cupping, gua sha and moxibustion.
Cupping and gua sha use specific tools to stimulate blood flow and break up local congestion in tissue. Glass cups create a vacuum and are placed on large muscles to ease tension and also aid in respiratory conditions in cupping. Gua sha uses ceramic, stone or plastic implements, such as a Chinese soup spoon, with some oil or a balm to create pressure on the skin to promote stimulation, relieve pain and spasms.
Moxibustion involves the burning of the herb mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) on or near an acupuncture point to provide warmth and deep healing. It’s regularly used to promote digestion, soothe arthritis, heal wounds and scar tissue, and help with fertility and even turning breech babies.