Acupuncture
Your treatment includes a therapeutic discussion and thorough evaluation of your symptoms followed by a customized and comprehensive treatment.
In addition to acupuncture, some of the following modalities may be incorporated into your treatment:
Cupping / Gua Sha
Manual Therapy
Infrared Heat Therapy
Moxibustion
Essential Oils
Electrical Stimulation
Lifestyle / Nutritional Recommendations
Facial Rejuvenation*
*Additional session fees apply
FAQs: Acupuncture
What is unique about the way that you treat?
I was trained in three different styles of acupuncture — Traditional Chinese Medicine (the standard approach followed by most acupuncture education programs), Kiiko Matsumoto-Style Acupuncture (Kiiko is a living master from a lineage of prominent Japanese masters, and I was fortunate to learn from her directly as a student and serve on her teaching team in NYC after graduating), and a western physical medicine approach utilizing trigger point/dry needling therapy (this approach has gained traction among doctors and Physical Therapists, who recognize it’s profound and immediate benefits). Knowing how to treat from three different approaches is a bit like being fluent in several languages, there are nuances in each that are uniquely appropriate for a given circumstance. The beauty of practicing this medicine at this time is that I have the luxury of spending a full hour with a patient, listening and providing the space to piece together their particular puzzle. I am very interested in the inner-knowing we all possess about where and why we are stuck and what we truly need and my goal is to help each and every patient draw that out for themselves.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture uses very thin needles to penetrate the skin on specific points located along defined meridians or specific areas of pain/dysfunction. Optimal health is achieved through correcting imbalances and blockages in the body and encouraging the body’s natural inclination toward homeostasis. In Chinese medicine, we describe this balance as the free flow of qi and blood. In western medicine, we can describe the benefits as increased circulation, the release of endorphins, regulation of the autonomic nervous system, and/or the unwinding of tight and tender muscle tissue. All needles are sterile and single-use so it is incredibly safe.
What does acupuncture treat?
Most people initially come to acupuncture for pain relief but it can have profound results for just about anything. The beauty of acupuncture is that it is a integrated system that addresses the physical body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. That’s why you can come in for knee pain and also see concurrent benefits in your sleep, digestion, and mood.
Do you do dry needling? What is the difference between dry needling and trigger point therapy?
Yes, I do! My graduate and post-graduate training included over a thousand hours of clinical practice learning from the most respected masters in the field and I have successfully treated musculoskeletal conditions in everyone from weekend warriors to professional athletes. Dry needling is a term often used to describe trigger point therapy.
How many sessions will I need?
Sudden, acute conditions generally resolve faster than more complex, chronic conditions. Some patients find they are symptom-free after 1-3 treatments while others benefit from a longer course of treatment. Still others realize unexpected benefits from acupuncture (like better sleep and mood) and prefer to come on a regular basis as a part of their wellness regime. Each treatment plan is tailored to the goals and symptoms of the individual and will be discussed at the first appointment.
Does it hurt?
No, acupuncture feels nothing like a hypodermic needle. Most people respond to their first needle insertion with, “that’s it?!” You may experience mild sensations like a dull ache, pressure, heaviness, tingling, or warmth/flow. I always adjust the intensity based on the tolerance of the patient, especially if you are new to acupuncture.
