Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine that developed over two thousand years ago in East Asia. It has been practiced continually ever since, and today people throughout the world incorporate acupuncture as an essential component of their healthcare. Acupuncture is effective for both the prevention and treatment of disease, chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, anxiety and depression, digestive disorders, asthma and seasonal allergies, fertility concerns, and pre- and post-operative support. Both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have acknowledged acupuncture as a safe and effective form of medicine for many conditions.
Additional therapeutic tools and techniques include:
- Moxibustion: the warming of points or areas with the therapeutic herb Artemesia vulgaris
- Cupping therapy: the use of suction cups to improve circulation and release muscle tension
- Gwa Sha: a gentle scraping technique that also releases tension and alleviates pain
- Electrical stimulation: used for reducing pain
- Magnets, pressballs, and teishin: non-insertive tools used to stimulate acupuncture points
Treatment sessions are customized to each individual’s unique needs and may include a variety of approaches to promote and vitalize the body’s natural healing abilities.