No need to be afraid— they really aren’t “needles”—they are more like a hair-thin, flexible filaments. Acupuncture needles solid, stainless steel, pre-sterilized, non-toxic, disposable, regulated and approved by the F.D.A. Unlike hypodermic needles, they are inserted very shallow, generally an eighth to a half inch depending on the location on the body.

When the needles are tapped in, one may feel nothing or a slight sensation of heaviness or tingling when Qi is activated.

Typically 10 to 20 needles are used each session and are generally left in place for 20 to 30 minutes while you relax under a heat lamp to soft music. While many people are initially wary of the claim that it doesn’t hurt, they soon discover that the experience is quite pleasurable and find treatments very relaxing and report a deep sense of emotional grounding.

Current research shows that acupuncture has a measurable effect on the autonomic nervous system, on vascular and endocrine physiology, and brain chemistry. In essence, it really stimulates your bodies’ own healing mechanism so it can do what it was designed to do: heal.

To the human body, acupuncture needles are a physical stimulus. When the body detects a change or stimulus, it produces a response in the nervous system to begin producing chemicals called endorphins, which relieve pain and increase a person’s sense of relaxation and wellbeing.

Scientists can actually “see” the body’s response to acupuncture. For example, using an MRI, researchers have shown that when a needle is inserted at specific acupuncture points on the body, they can see corresponding changes occur in the brain. Research is continuing about how this electromagnetic energy actually travels in the body.

However you want to explain it, acupuncture is simply amazing at facilitating your body's own healing power!

Acupuncture works best when you are treated frequently, especially when you first begin because treatment effects are cumulative—they build upon each other as your body begins to heal.  Once you initiate a healing process, it is important to follow through on treatments. While a single treatment can provide short term relief, regular treatments are best for long-term benefit.

The number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient and depends upon the duration, severity and nature of the complaint in addition to your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture. The ideal approach to illness is to begin treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the easier it is to treat.

Generally, for cases of recent injury or illness, we usually recommend one to two treatments per week, for a few weeks. By this time, you should feel better, and we can determine if further treatments are needed.  If you have a chronic problem, it is usually best to start with a series of treatments close together, usually twice per week, for about 4-6 weeks then gradually increase the amount of time between treatments as your condition improves.

You should feel very relaxed. Your relief can be immediate, delayed for a few hours or even develop after one to three days. It is important to recognize that we are all individuals and response to treatment varies. In cases of chronic pain, your original pain may improve and then unmask other less obvious pains. Please report what happened when you return so treatment can be modified accordingly.

Acupuncture works whether you believe in it or not. This can be evidenced by giving acupuncture to animals like horses and dogs. They experience significant benefits and healing while not knowing what is being done.

In California, licensed acupuncturists are considered primary care physicians and can

perform examinations and order lab tests. With a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental

Medicine, we have training in the biological sciences such as anatomy, physiology,

pathophysiology, blood chemistry, and neurology, as well as conventional medical diagnosis and

treatment.

In addition, we receive extensive training in nutrition, botanical medicine and lifestyle counseling. Our services are not meant to substitute or replace those of a medical doctor but are meant to work in conjunction with them -- the true meaning of complementary medicine.