Are You Ready To Begin Acupuncture Therapy?
It wouldn't make sense for me to list all of the different symptoms and ailments in which acupuncture can treat. Because that is not what I do. If you are looking for acupuncture for some type of physical relief, complementary therapy, emotional breakthrough, change in perspective, support whatever the reason is: chances are I'm going to say "Yes, acupuncture can help that." Because this is a holistic system of medicine, I am not going to be fixated on your symptoms. They certainly matter and will be relevant, but they will not be a focus except to use as a gauge for how things are improving and for me to understand where you are coming from.
When you come to me for Acupuncture Therapy you are making a powerful choice.
I look forward to hearing from you,
especially, if at least a few of the following Twelve Indicators
ring true.
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YOU ARE READY
To Take The Necessary Time For Yourself
To See Your Body, Emotions & Mind as a Natural Connected System
To Tune-in More & Tune-out Less
To Stop Accepting Physical and/or Emotional Dis-ease as 'The Norm'
To Trust The Healing Power of Nature
To Experience A Different Kind of Healthcare
To Strengthen & Empower Your Sense of Direction in Life
To Receive
To Make The Necissary Lifestyle Adjustments, and Enjoy It!
To Connect
To Try Something New, Even If You're 'Just Going On a Hunch'
To Look Better, Because You Feel Better & Are Better!
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Want To Know More About Acupuncture?
There is so much that can be shared on the topic of Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine. I want to empower you with enough information here so you can feel good about choosing to start treatment with me. After reading what I have provided below, if you have any specific questions don't hesitate to call or e-mail me! Acupuncture is a medical practice, it's best to keep much information-seeking outside of our sessions in order for me to give you the best possible care and attention. Please know, I love sharing the knowledge, philosophies, insight, success stories and so on that comes with acupuncture and am always learning more and more. For that I have created Word Medicine, a blog which you can subscribe to here. By signing up you will also stay updated on public talks, workshops, retreat and special offerings that
I'll be putting on.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? WHY NEEDLES?
On the surface, acupuncture is the use of very fine needles that are gently inserted and removed from specific and very small energetic zones, "acupuncture points", along the entire body. Each point belongs along a pathway or channel in which Qi (a complex yet subtle type of energy that is vital to all natural Life) flows. The needle serves as a tool and medium for the practitioner to connect into the patients Qi flow and adjust it as needed, for more optimum health, to say the least. These channels of Qi are called "meridians". They course underneath the surface of the skin and throughout the internal organs. Each of the 12 main meridians are affiliated directly with an organ. Their are other channels beyond the organ-related meridians as well, however, they do not translate and correspond as easily to the body as it is viewed from a typical Western perspective. Moxabustion, a dried herb () is also used by over these points in treatments. The herb is burned over the point which releases the oils into the channel, this plant has properties that directly reach the Qi. Often times in treatment moxa is used before needles are inserted, as preparation and to amplify the effect of the needles. It is possible to do treatments without needles and use just moxa, especially for young children who may be very sensitive to energy adjustments and/or the concept of needles.
On the surface, acupuncture is the use of very fine needles that are gently inserted and removed from specific and very small energetic zones, "acupuncture points", along the entire body. Each point belongs along a pathway or channel in which Qi (a complex yet subtle type of energy that is vital to all natural Life) flows. The needle serves as a tool and medium for the practitioner to connect into the patients Qi flow and adjust it as needed, for more optimum health, to say the least. These channels of Qi are called "meridians". They course underneath the surface of the skin and throughout the internal organs. Each of the 12 main meridians are affiliated directly with an organ. Their are other channels beyond the organ-related meridians as well, however, they do not translate and correspond as easily to the body as it is viewed from a typical Western perspective. Moxabustion, a dried herb () is also used by over these points in treatments. The herb is burned over the point which releases the oils into the channel, this plant has properties that directly reach the Qi. Often times in treatment moxa is used before needles are inserted, as preparation and to amplify the effect of the needles. It is possible to do treatments without needles and use just moxa, especially for young children who may be very sensitive to energy adjustments and/or the concept of needles.
HISTORY
The anatomy and physiology of meridians and Qi has been recognized for centuries, actually dating back thousands of years throughout Eastern Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea and India. An interesting note is a relatively recent discovery of the use of acupuncture in regions that had little geological or cultural affiliation with each other. The widespread breakthrough of acupuncture in the medical world of human-kind was the start to what modern medicine is now. At the time, over 2,000 years ago, acupuncture was the first side-step from shamanism (which is the most ancient healing modality across many cultures and is also still practiced today). With that said, as hundreds and hundreds of years went by acupuncture in itself evolved and spread through oral tradition, handed down from masters to disciples and so forth. Timeless text books were created and some are still referenced and studied to this day. As you could imagine, there began many different lineages, traditions and styles of acupuncture medical practices. Some styes and teachings leaned toward the shamanic roots with a greater focus on spirit through healers that were in some way chosen to do what they do, some adopted and incorporated herbalism into the core of the medicine, some spearheaded into what modern acupuncture is now.
The anatomy and physiology of meridians and Qi has been recognized for centuries, actually dating back thousands of years throughout Eastern Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea and India. An interesting note is a relatively recent discovery of the use of acupuncture in regions that had little geological or cultural affiliation with each other. The widespread breakthrough of acupuncture in the medical world of human-kind was the start to what modern medicine is now. At the time, over 2,000 years ago, acupuncture was the first side-step from shamanism (which is the most ancient healing modality across many cultures and is also still practiced today). With that said, as hundreds and hundreds of years went by acupuncture in itself evolved and spread through oral tradition, handed down from masters to disciples and so forth. Timeless text books were created and some are still referenced and studied to this day. As you could imagine, there began many different lineages, traditions and styles of acupuncture medical practices. Some styes and teachings leaned toward the shamanic roots with a greater focus on spirit through healers that were in some way chosen to do what they do, some adopted and incorporated herbalism into the core of the medicine, some spearheaded into what modern acupuncture is now.
ACUPUNCTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
It's safe to say that mainstream China has had most influence on what acupuncture has become in todays United States. The practice there has merged so meticulously with modern functional medicine that if you visited almost any hospital in China, acupuncture is a widely known and utilized treatment modality. The widely known style (which is not without its own variations) is called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Looking back to History, acupuncture started moving West in the 1800's, first catching interest in France. More Europeans began studying the practices through various masters and lineages. Acupuncture was practiced in the US very little comparitevly but as as early as 1880, when a Chinese woman immigrant began practicing in Oregon, clearly making a positive impact as their is now a foundation in her memory at the site of her clinic location. It wasn't until the 1970s when acupuncture actually became legal in the US, go figure why it wasn't legal before they even knew about it! At the time president Nixon opened relations with China which inevitably led to a better understanding and perhaps trust of this medicine along with mainstream recognition. Ever since then, acupuncture has been growing fairly rapidly in the United States. There are about 50 schools for acupuncture here that offer Masters degrees or diplomas in acupuncture. Currently there is a growing push for schools to offer Doctoral level degrees in acupuncture but this has not taken off yet. "The National Certification Commision For Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine is a non-profit organization established in 1982. The NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine through professional certifications." Each state has different laws for licensure to be an acupuncturist. Connecticut requires a masters degree as well as significant clinical hours and the passing completion of the NCCAOM board exams.
It's safe to say that mainstream China has had most influence on what acupuncture has become in todays United States. The practice there has merged so meticulously with modern functional medicine that if you visited almost any hospital in China, acupuncture is a widely known and utilized treatment modality. The widely known style (which is not without its own variations) is called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Looking back to History, acupuncture started moving West in the 1800's, first catching interest in France. More Europeans began studying the practices through various masters and lineages. Acupuncture was practiced in the US very little comparitevly but as as early as 1880, when a Chinese woman immigrant began practicing in Oregon, clearly making a positive impact as their is now a foundation in her memory at the site of her clinic location. It wasn't until the 1970s when acupuncture actually became legal in the US, go figure why it wasn't legal before they even knew about it! At the time president Nixon opened relations with China which inevitably led to a better understanding and perhaps trust of this medicine along with mainstream recognition. Ever since then, acupuncture has been growing fairly rapidly in the United States. There are about 50 schools for acupuncture here that offer Masters degrees or diplomas in acupuncture. Currently there is a growing push for schools to offer Doctoral level degrees in acupuncture but this has not taken off yet. "The National Certification Commision For Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine is a non-profit organization established in 1982. The NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine through professional certifications." Each state has different laws for licensure to be an acupuncturist. Connecticut requires a masters degree as well as significant clinical hours and the passing completion of the NCCAOM board exams.