Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a medical system with its own framework for understanding patterns within the body. Traditionally, health and illness are described through concepts such as Qi, blood, body fluids, organ systems, and the relationships among them. From a contemporary biomedical perspective, stimulation at carefully selected acupuncture points may engage sensory pathways and influence the nervous system and other physiological responses. Although these frameworks describe the body differently, both support looking beyond the location or label of a symptom to understand the broader pattern in which it occurs.
This whole-person reasoning applies regardless of the symptom or concern bringing someone in. For example, when difficulty sleeping is the primary concern, treatment considers not only the sleep disturbance itself, but also how it may relate to stress, digestion, pain, energy, emotional strain, hormonal changes, daily rhythms, and the body’s overall pattern of function. The same broader lens is applied to whatever concern is present, rather than limiting treatment to an isolated symptom or a fixed list of conditions. The traditional framework also recognizes that the body’s needs may shift with seasonal changes, aging, and transitions through different stages of life. These relationships help guide the selection of points and techniques, with the aim of addressing the immediate concern while supporting regulation, recovery, resilience, and the body’s ability to adapt through change.
What your session may include
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the placement of sterile, single-use needles at carefully selected points or areas of the body. Treatment may include body, scalp, or auricular acupuncture, with points selected according to your current concerns and overall pattern. Needles may also be gently stimulated when appropriate.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture provides gentle, controlled electrical stimulation between selected acupuncture needles. The intensity is adjustable and may be used to provide consistent point stimulation, support pain relief, help regulate muscle activity, and encourage local circulation.
Ear Seeds · Auricular Acupressure
Small seeds or pellets are secured with adhesive to selected points on the outer ear. They provide gentle, continued point stimulation without needles and allow you to apply pressure to the points between visits.
Acupuncture Appointments
Initial Acupuncture Visit — 75 minutes
A comprehensive first acupuncture-focused visit that includes a review of your concerns, health history, treatment goals, and relevant physical and Chinese medicine findings, followed by an individualized acupuncture treatment. The evaluation and acupuncture remain the primary focus of this visit.
Established Patient Acupuncture — 60 minutes
For patients who have completed the Initial Acupuncture Visit and want a session centered on acupuncture, without added therapeutic massage or extended hands-on bodywork. Treatment is individualized to your current needs and progress.
Inquire about our acupuncture-specific membership, for ongoing monthly acupuncture care.
Acupuncture-Focused Treatment with Targeted Massage — 75 minutes
For patients who have completed the Initial Acupuncture Visit and want acupuncture as the primary treatment, with focused massage or bodywork for one or two areas of pain, tension, tenderness, or restricted movement. The additional time allows targeted hands-on work to complement the acupuncture while preserving acupuncture as the primary focus.
Looking for more hands-on bodywork? Consider Massage-Focused Treatment with Acupuncture, where therapeutic massage is the primary treatment and acupuncture is added when appropriate.