Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Eastern medicine based on holistic healthcare. It’s used to manage pain, relieve stress and boost the body’s natural healing processes. Very fine needles, about the size of a human hair, are placed into specific points in the body to treat many conditions and promote healing.

Acupuncture is good for:

• Pain relief (new and on-going)
• Digestive complaints
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Joint stiffness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Allergies
• Pregnancy or chemo related nausea
• Painful or heavy periods
• PMS/period time mood support
• Hot flashes
• and more.

When to seek help

Many people find acupuncture to be helpful so anytime is a good time to seek help. If you're suffering from on-going pain, it doesn't have to be at a high level to seek help. It's better to get help early if a condition is relatively new or starting to become stubborn.

Acupuncture help for pregnant women

Acupuncture can relieve pregnancy pain, nausea, headaches, and migraines. It can be helpful in place of migraine medications that you can't take during pregnancy, and it can also be helpful if you have early signs of preeclampsia or a history of preeclampsia.  

What to expect at your first appointment

At your first appointment we will talk about your main reason for seeking treatment, and your health in general, and then we will create the best treatment plan for you.  Your acupuncturist will discuss your symptoms and general health history with you and talk through the other therapies you are using or have tried.  An examination may include taking the pulse, looking at the tongue, and asking you some general questions about day-to-day health and wellbeing. Treatment plans will be based on your reason for treatment, your general health, and your constitution based on medical history and Eastern medicine theory. Care is taken to make you as comfortable as possible during treatment, including answering any questions you may have.

Other treatments used with acupuncture

• Besides acupuncture, other treatment methods may include:  
• Electro- stimulation
• Gua sha (a tool used to scrape/ massage the skin to increase circulation and relieve pain)
• Cupping
• Infrared heat lamp (used for warmth and to reduce arthritis type inflammation and pain)
• Liniment for pain relief
• Herbal therapy

About the acupuncturist

It is performed by a licensed acupuncturist who has a master's degree in traditional East Asian Chinese medicine. Your acupuncturist coordinates with your primary care provider and other medical providers as needed, blending both Eastern and Western medicine.

NH+C also has some physical therapists who have training in acupuncture and provide it during their physical therapy treatments. It is sometimes often referred to as dry needling.