Acupuncture for Pain & Stress Related Disorders
I am a licensed acupuncturist and board certified in Oriental medicine (acupuncture & Chinese herbs). I blend 3 styles of acupuncture along with Chinese herbs, cupping, electroacupuncture, gua sha, heat lamp therapy, and moxibustion as needed to provide unique and individualized treatments.
My story is similar to many of my acupuncture patients. I was dealing with chronic pain and spent the better part of two years going to doctors, physical therapists, osteaopaths, personal trainers, yoga classes, swimming, and anyone else that claimed they could help with chronic pain. I tried medications, cortisone injections, and once an epidural in my back was recommended I decided to reassess the situation. I was left frustrated that the solution was to keep applying band-aids rather than understand the whole picture and underlying cause of my pain. I finally found my way to acupuncture, which was the only thing that provided lasting relief. My experience made me decide to pursue acupuncture as a career and help others that are struggling with chronic health issues.
I hope that most patients leave their first visit feeling understood and more hopeful about their ability to heal from whatever it is they are coming in for. They usually feel more relaxed, less tense, and in less pain than when they came in. When using trigger point or muscle release techniques it is normal to be sore for a day or two after treatment as if you did a workout.
Acupuncture works on many levels. On a physical level it works by releasing pain relieving endorphins, rebalancing the nervous system to promote relaxation, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation. On a deeper level is promotes an awareness of our mind-body connection by bringing attention to areas that store tension in our bodies. It takes a holistic view of health which encourages us to be inquisitive about the root causes of our health imbalances.