What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, has grown increasingly popular among Western health care providers. This treatment involves inserting very fine, sterile, and single-use needles into specific points on your body.
According to Chinese medicine, your life force (qi) flows along energetic pathways (meridians) in your body. When acupuncture needles are inserted into particular points along these meridians, it restores balance to your energy flow.
What does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture provides safe and drug-free relief from pain that’s associated with a wide variety of chronic health conditions like arthritis. At Inclusive Natural Medicine, Dr. Schneller uses acupuncture to treat many problems, including:
- Headaches and migraines
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Dental pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
- Menstrual cramps
- Osteoarthritis symptoms
- Anxiety and depression
- Gastrointestinal issues
If you’re a cigarette smoker trying to quit, acupuncture is also an effective treatment for smoking cessation.
How effective is acupuncture?
Numerous peer-reviewed studies in the United States show acupuncture to be a valid and useful treatment for many common conditions, including:
Knee pain from osteoarthritis
Low back pain
Tension headaches
Migraines
For optimal relief, Dr. Schneller may recommend combining acupuncture with other treatments, like chiropractic care and massage therapy.
What should I expect from an acupuncture treatment?
During your first acupuncture appointment at Inclusive Natural Medicine, Dr. Schneller spends time with you discussing your specific concerns.
She reviews your medical history and symptoms and may also check physical signs, like the pulse in your wrist or the appearance of your tongue.
Then, she carefully inserts tiny sterile needles into specific points on your skin. The needles don’t go in very deep, so most people don’t feel pain. However, you may experience a brief sensation of discomfort when treating a particularly tender area.
You relax on a comfortable table while the treatment takes effect. Depending on your needs, this may take 20-30 minutes. After that, Dr. Schneller returns to remove the needles. You shouldn’t bleed or feel pain after acupuncture, but a small drop of blood or mild redness at the treatment site is normal.
To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture, call Inclusive Natural Medicine or book an appointment online today.
