Acupuncture: Ancient Medicine with Modern Applications

My interest in acupuncture started while working alongside an acupuncturist in Anchorage, Alaska, at a large medical clinic. I was working as an X-ray technician, massage therapist and laboratory technician. I was also experiencing chronic neck pain due to a waterskiing accident.

After seeing acupuncture treat many patient symptoms and conditions, I decided to give it a try. My pain relief started immediately with my first treatment, and after a series of treatments I was pain free. I thought to myself, “there must be something to this” and started researching the science behind it. This led to acupuncture school in San Diego and a three-year master’s degree.

I’ve been practicing acupuncture for 25 years. During this time, I’ve been fortunate to help people feel better, decrease pain and heal from mental health struggles. I’ve enjoyed seeing acupuncture become more mainstream as more hospitals and the Veterans Administration see the benefits of this type of therapy. I like the diversity of treating patients of all ages with a variety of conditions.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an all-natural therapy that uses very fine needles at strategic points in the body to relieve pain and promote healing. Inserting needles in specific points leads to physiological and/or hormonal changes and helps the body re-balance and stimulate its own natural healing abilities.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Here are five ways acupuncture works to improve overall health and wellbeing. Acupuncture:

1. Relaxes muscles
2. Decreases inflammation
3. Blocks nerve pain
4. Increases endorphins
5. Balances hormones

Acupuncture can be a stand-alone treatment or used alongside conventional medicine.

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

There are a range of conditions acupuncture can improve for people of all ages and all stages of life.

Women’s Health

Women experience many changes from their teenage years to pregnancy, middle age, menopause and beyond. Each woman has a unique journey and different needs at different stages of their lives. Acupuncture can help at each stage. Certain medications, procedures and cancer treatments can cause symptoms resembling menopause, which is also treatable with acupuncture.

Since acupuncture helps balance hormones, it can treat these conditions for women:

1. Menopause/perimenopause symptoms (including hot flashes)
2. Endometriosis pain
3. Menstrual symptoms (irregular or painful periods)
4. Morning sickness, discomfort with pregnancy and induction of labor
5. Fertility
6. Urinary tract infections
7. Pelvic pain

Men’s Health

Acupuncture can also treat these common issues for men:

1. Prostate symptoms (pain, frequent urination, hot flashes)
2. Fertility
3. Urinary tract infections
4. Pelvic pain

Cancer Treatment Symptoms

Acupuncture can help with many treatment-related issues for cancer patients:

1. Chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting
2. Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
3. Appetite suppression
4. Low energy
5. Pain

General Conditions

Acupuncture can help anyone dealing with these types of conditions:

1. Pain
2. Auto-immune disorders
3. Headaches/migraines
4. Insomnia
5. Allergies
6. Mental health – anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
7. Gastric conditions – irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reflux (GERD)
8. Substance abuse (tobacco, drugs and alcohol)

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

No, the needles are not needles in the true sense. They’re thin, sterile wire. Most of my patients don’t feel any of them. It’s a sensation, but it’s definitely not painful. It’s very relaxing and many of my patients actually fall asleep.

Does Insurance Cover Acupuncture?

Many insurance companies cover acupuncture. Definitely check with your insurance company first.

Is Acupuncture Right for Me? How Do I Get an Appointment?

I’m happy to visit with you about any issues you’re facing and see if you may benefit from acupuncture therapy. You can book an appointment now or call 402-481-7973.