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Acupuncture Services
Acupuncture is performed according to the standard methods used in the US. The extremely fine needles are inserted through a guide tube which makes the process virtually painless. We follow medical standards of care for blood borne pathogen control. The needles are disposable, single-use, and go into biohazard containers after use.
The majority of acupuncture points used are in the hands and arms, feet and legs, ears, and head. Secondarily we will use points in the area of pain such as low back or shoulder. The points in the extremities are powerful and effective and form the core of your treatment. Laura will choose the acupuncture method that she thinks will be the most productive for your particular case. She might choose from several methods and philosophies.
Japanese-style acupuncture is often used and is different from Chinese style in that it is gentle and needles are placed more shallowly in the skin. We use the pulse, tongue, and abdomen as our information source about what you will need for treatment. We find tender areas on the abdomen, and then find points that clear those abdominal signs. This method gives instant feedback about how the treatment is working, and leads us to treat the underlying issues of your health most effectively. The object of Japanese acupuncture is to respond to the pulse and abdominal diagnosis in a way that balances and harmonizes the body.
Master Tung-style acupuncture is also used here. It is an ancient family-style method which is usually not taught in acupuncture schools. It uses a series of reflex areas to correct alignment of the body and control pain very effectively. Laura finds this method very efficient for orthopedic cases, as well as internal medicine. She utilizes these acupuncture points with Japanese needle technique, making it comfortable for the patient.
Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM style acupuncture is also used in the clinic. This is the approach most often used by American acupuncturists and is the standard method taught in US schools. It is the foundation of our training and our National Board Exams are based largely on this theory. This is the method of acupuncture that was developed in China at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Acupuncturists were brought together to choose a method that was an amalgamation of many people's personal styles. This enabled the training of the thousands of acupuncturists that were needed to go out to the countryside and treat the newly dispersed population with low tech, low cost medical care. Though it is called traditional chinese medicine, it is actually more of a modern approach.