Acupuncture is one of the oldest continuously practiced forms of medicine in the world. It has been successfully used for thousands of years. Acupuncture utilizes extremely thin disposable needles, which are a placed at different points of the body in order to bring the body into a state of balance.

From a western medical perspective, acupuncture works by decreasing inflammation and stress, increasing circulation, stimulating the immune system, decreasing muscle tension, and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

The body contains 12 primary meridians, which are connected by different acupuncture points throughout the body. From a Chinese medicinal perspective, disease and illness occur when these become obstructed. Acupuncture works by restoring the healthy flow of energy along these meridians.

The needles used in acupuncture are so thin that about 10 of them can fit inside of a hypodermic needle. I primarily practice a Japanese style of needling where the needles are superficially inserted. Most of the time, you won’t feel the needle being inserted. However, you may feel the sensation of the energy being stimulated; this can feel different depending on the person and location, but some common sensations include tingling, warmth or a dull ache that resolves in seconds.

Yes, very! When done by a licensed acupuncturist, herbal medicine and acupuncture are both extremely safe and when applied appropriately, they have no side effects. Additionally, acupuncturists are licensed under the Florida Board of Health and have undergone extensive training and testing to certify a high degree of knowledge and skill. Please note, we use all disposable, single use, sterilized needles.

The first treatment is a comprehensive intake of your health history, the goal of which is to get a sense of who you are and to figure out the root cause of your symptoms. Additionally, I will feel your pulses, look at your tongue, and perform a physical exam to gather further information. This first treatment you may or may not receive needles – this depends on how long it takes us to get through your health history and diagnostic examination. Typically, this appointment takes about two hours.

Please wear comfortable clothing, and make sure you are well hydrated and have eaten. Additionally, please do not come to your treatment wearing any makeup or scented products – this includes perfumes/cologne, essential oils, scented deodorant, lotions etc. These scented products and makeup interfere with part of the diagnostic process.