Acupuncture Treatment Center Located in Greenwich and Ballston Spa NY

What Should I Expect?

Your first visit with an acupuncturist may take an hour or more. The acupuncturist will ask you about your current concerns and do a thorough evaluation of your past medical history as well as a physical exam. Once the acupuncturist has enough information she will develop a diagnosis based on the theory of Chinese Medicine and will discuss with you a course of treatment for your condition.

 

Depending on what points the acupuncturist decides to use, you may be asked to change into a patient gown or shorts so you back, legs, or abdomen are accessible.

 

The treatment that you receive may be any combination of acupuncture, herbal  medicine, Chinese massage, cupping, or other non invasive techniques.  Acupuncture needles are solid and very fine so insertion causes very little discomfort and is sometimes undetectable by the patient.

 

Future appointments will generally consist of a brief interview on your current symptoms and any changes that may have occurred so treatment can continue or a new treatment plan can be made.

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We recommend 3 treatments about a week apart to start out, you should start to feel better and we can evaluate your need for more treatments and time in between. A full course of treatment is about 10 sessions and, if you are feeling good, treatments can stop at that time. Many people do not need all 10 sessions to get better. 

 

 

What is NAET?

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What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine solid needles into specific points on the body. There are over 400 points and each has a unique set of functions upon activation. An acupuncturist will choose a specific set of points that will best treat your condition on a treatment-by-treatment basis. After needles are inserted to the appropriate depth and angle they may be manipulated to further activate the point. Manipulation may include gentle rotation, lifting and thrusting or scraping the needle with a fingernail.  Acupuncture is a useful therapy in treating pain, both chronic and acute, allergies, the common cold, mental and emotional disorders, stress, and more.

 

Our regular treatments are conducted in a private room where you will get the undivided attention of the acupuncturist.

 

 

What is Community Acupuncture and Why Does it Cost Less?

Community acupuncture is just like private acupuncture in terms of technique and the conditions that it treats.  The only difference is the length of the interview and the location of treatment. For a community acupuncture treatment you will provide the acupuncturist with a quick update on your condition then you will be treated in a seated position in a room with other people. Community acupuncture is offered at a lower cost because you spend less one on one time with the acupuncturist and you are not being treated in a private room. 

 

 

What is Electrical Stimulation (ESTIM)?

 

Acupuncture needles may also be connected to an electrical stimulation machine. This technique sends a gentle electrical current through the needles in order to activate points, relax muscles, and alleviate pain. ESTIM is not painful. It is typically described as a slight tapping sensation or a light buzzing at the needle site. Most patients find it relaxing.

 

 

What is Japanese Acupuncture?

Japanese acupuncture involves inserting needles through the skin at a very shallow depth. These needles may then be manipulated to release trigger points that cause soreness in the muscles or left alone to help rebalance the body to alleviate disease.

 

Japanese acupuncture can be combined with Ion pumping cords which are connected to specific points that influence large areas of the body. The ion pumping cords contribute no energy of their own but simply facilitate the flow of your body’s own energy to the appropriate places.

 

 

What Are Acupuncture Microsystems?

In addition to the traditional Chinese acupuncture points there are various Microsystems that are also utilized in everyday practice. A microsystem involves a map of the entire body being transposed over a specific area such as the scalp or abdomen.

 Scalp: scalp acupuncture is a system of treatment that uses only needles on the head within the hairline to treat illnesses of the entire body.

                                Jiao scalp acupuncture relies on the functional areas of the brain as a map for needling the scalp. For example, if a patient is suffering from a problem with their speech the area of the scalp directly over the part of the brain that controls speech will be needled.

                                Zhu scalp acupuncture makes use of several outlines of the human body oriented on the scalp. In order to treat a diseased part of the body that part of the outline is needled on the head.

                Abdomen: abdominal microsystems allow for the treatment of the whole body with only points on the abdomen.

                                Fu Zhen abdominal acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese acupuncture points, a five phase map that treats organ dysfunction as well as a turtle hologram that represents the human body. Traditional Chinese acupuncture points are used to improve the function of the body at a fundamental level, the five phase map is used to supplement specific organs and restore their function and the turtle hologram points are used to treat specific symptoms that are presenting in the body at the time of treatment.

                                Sun’s abdominal microsystem is similar to Jiao scalp in that it is a map of the functional areas of the brain superimposed on the abdomen.

Many of these microsystems show immediate results with 80% or more reduction in pain. They can be used in combination with other acupuncture points or on their own.

                Auricular acupuncture is a microsystem that is frequently used with traditional Chinese acupuncture points. It too involves an image of the body, this time superimposed on the ear. Auricular acupuncture can treat all types of illness, however, it seems to be particularly effective for the treatment of addictions and substance abuse.

 

 

What is Bodywork?

Tui Na is a form of Chinese medical massage. A practitioner can use tui na for a variety of illnesses but it is best for physical problems causing stiffness or pain. Tui na can help to mobilize joints, loosen tight muscles, and heal chronic injuries.              

Amma therapy is similar to tui na, however, it is more gentle. Amma therapy is good for stress relief and injuries or pain that responds best to gentle manipulation.

 

 

I Know What Exercise is... How is This Exercise Different?

Qi Gong is a combination of controlled breathing, meditation and movement. Qi gong exercises have specific therapeutic benefits and each movement helps the body achieve a state of proper energy flow and balance. Qi gong exercises may be prescribed for patients to perform outside of the clinic in order to promote healing.

              

Tai Chi is also a combination of controlled breathing, meditation and movement. It is generally performed as a series of motions organized into a routine that flows smoothly from one movement to the next. Practicing tai chi can help prevent disease as well as promote relaxation, wellbeing and improve overall health.

 

 

What is Cupping?

Cupping involves the use of glass cups to create a vacuum against the skin. The purpose of the suction is to encourage proper blood flow to the affected area as well as loosen tight muscles and promote relaxation. Cupping will often raise red marks on the skin but these are considered therapeutic and will dissipate in a few minutes to an hour. If more intense cupping is required for an injury there may be a side effect of bruising which usually dissipates within a few days.

 

 

What is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion or moxa is the burning of the herb mugwort on a point on the body to introduce a therapeutic warming effect. Moxa can be used for patients with injuries or stiffness to promote movement and proper blood flow. It is also used to alleviate injuries and illnesses that are brought on or exacerbated by cold or damp weather. Moxa may be attached to a needle that has been inserted, burnt on a slice of garlic or other herbs or directly on the skin. With moxibustion treatments there is a risk for burns but trained practitioners should take precautions to avoid accidents at all costs.

 

 

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha involves scraping a smooth edged object along the skin to raise red or purple marks called sha. This technique can be used to treat the common cold, muscle aches, old injuries and more. It is most often performed on the back but may be used on other parts of the body when it is necessary. Sha often appears as red or purple marks covering the area that is being treated. These marks may take several days to disappear.

 

 

What is Plum Blossom or Seven Star Needling?

Plum Blossom and micro bleeding are used to relieve areas of stagnated blood and fluids surrounding an injury. Plum blossom techniques require a small hammer like instrument with seven small points. This tool is gently tapped repeatedly against the skin to draw a small amount of blood over a designated area. Micro bleeding usually involves a single prick with a lancet to withdraw a few drops of blood. These two techniques may be combined with cupping if the affected area requires enhanced circulation.  They are often used for skin conditions or chronic injuries and pain.

 

 

What is Eastern Dietary Therapy?

What we eat is an important part of our health. Eastern dietary therapy recommendations can help patients eat right for their body type and metabolism as well as choose foods that will help their healing process.

 

 

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a powerful tool for promoting healing. Herbs are good for treating everything from the common cold to a broken leg and anything in between. There are several hundred different herbs and a trained practitioner can prescribe what will work best for your pattern or condition. Chinese herbs are not just plants, minerals and animal products may be used as well. Also, herbs are generally not prescribed alone, a combination of herbs called a formula is used. Depending on the condition being treated herbs may be prescribed internally as pills, powder or tea or topically to be applied to the affected area. Chronic diseases may require herbal treatment for a long period of time whereas acute conditions may only need herbs for a few days. If an herbal formula is prepared correctly it should not cause side effects. If you experience digestive discomfort, diarrhea, or any other abnormal symptoms after taking a formula you should consult your practitioner.

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What is The Emotion Code?

The Emotion Code uses a combination of muscle testing and magnetic therapy to remove resonant energy of negative emotions from your body. This technique can affect everything from phobias to depression to pain, helping the body reach a more harmonized relaxed state. For more information click here.

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