Usually acupuncture is pain-free. Patients most often describe a sensation of warmth radiating from the needle, or tingling, either at the point directly, or along the meridian pathway. That said, when you put a needle in the tissue of the body where there are nerve endings, the possibility for pain exists. There may be a travelling sensation that feels like a currant of energy, a heaviness, or an achiness at the acupuncture point. This sensation is referred to as de qi and translates to “the qi has arrived”. It is, very generally speaking, what the acupuncturist hopes to accomplish in a treatment and can mean that the treatment was successful.

Research shows that acupuncture increases circulation, reduces inflammation, increases production of analgesics and other painkiller substances in the body, regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, and reduces stress. An acupuncturist, classically trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, will tell you that qi, or, energy, circulates in meridians, or, pathways, throughout the body and by placing needles along the acupuncture points that land on these meridians, we are able to have a systemic effect on the homeostasis of the body. The field of Traditional Chinese Medicine is around 4000 years old, and as such is in an ever-evolving conversation about how it works.

Yes. Acupuncture is a wonderful modality to treat pregnant women. The most important point is to always inform your acupuncturist if you are trying to conceive or if you are pregnant. If you might possibly be pregnant but are not sure, let your provider know! The timing of your cycle is critical in choosing the appropriate points for your health goals. A very small number of acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy. This means they cannot be used safely on pregnant women. Always get acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist, let your acupuncturist know about any health concerns and diagnosis you have, and always let your acupuncturist know if you MAYBE MIGHT have conceived or if you are pregnant. If you satisfy these three criteria, your chances of receiving a safe and therapeutic acupuncture treatment are just as high as for those who are not pregnant.

This is never a question to ask on the internet. Please talk to a real, live, health care provider to go over your unique set of circumstances and how to best take care of yourself.

Marny Culpepper, L.Ac. offers a complimentary 15 minute consult to discuss the best option for you. Book your complimentary consult at: https://ehr.unifiedpractice.com/Public/OnlineBooking?ClinicUid=a0728b50-5044-4e1a-a428-0a4b0c0dae5b

The frequency is dependent on the condition being treated, how your body responds to acupuncture, plus other variables like your financial situation, time constraints, etc. Acupuncture is most effective when received regularly and at least 2x/week.

There is a relationship between the condition being treated and the frequency of treatment prescribed. One session might give you results. It may take months to achieve results. In the case of acute pain, one session may eliminate the pain. In the case of ongoing, chronic pain, regular, weekly visits may be necessary for up to four months. In my practice, I advise patients to plan weekly sessions for three months and then we reassess the strategy. In the case of fertility support it is strongly suggested to allow for three months of uninterrupted weekly or twice weekly sessions BEFORE PLANNING TO CONCEIVE.

By receiving a Masters of Education in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have an education in acupuncture. Typically acupuncturists choose points that align with the theory of their school of training or teacher they followed when they were a student of acupuncture. Points are categorized by location and function. Things to consider when picking the appropriate points for a patient include the pattern of the imbalance in the patient, the patient’s constitution, the patient’s diet, the patient’s lifestyle, the season, et cetera.

No. Acupuncture point prescriptions are customized for each individual treated.

Cupping detoxifies the body and increases circulation.  It also creates a myofascial adjustment that can alleviate pain and tension.   It has traditionally been used for a wide variety of ailments, from infertility to viral infections, but in present day society it is most widely sought after for pain reduction.

Cupping is service that is included with every acupuncture session.  It is not always advised to have a cupping treatment so it may be avoided on a given day.  Cupping sessions can also be purchased a la carte.

Yes, children can get acupuncture.  There are specific techniques for pediatric acupuncture and it is always advised that you find a provider who is trained in this field of Chinese Medicine.  

Cupping is an ancient modality of body work used to promote health and wellbeing.  Cups made of glass, silicone, rubber, bamboo, or plastic are placed on the body in specific areas.  Some practitioners use vaso-pneumonic devices that require a pump to adhere the cup to the body.  Glass cups require fire to suck out the air before they are quickly placed on the body.  The cooling of the heated air creates the suction.  Typically a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol is ignited and placed in the cup while being held by a pair of clamps or scissors. The flame is flushed through the cup and then the cup is quickly placed on the body.  As with acupuncture, each provider has specific training in cupping, and a philosophy that supports their style of cupping.  Stationary cupping, moving cupping, wet cupping, and dry cupping are a few of the most mainstream styles of cupping.

Functional Medicine is an approach to Western Medicine with the focus on treating the underlying cause of disease instead of the symptoms.  Both the practitioner and patient are engaged in the therapeutic relationship with the patient’s story residing at the core of the clinical exchange.  Treatment is made with tools that assess environment, lifestyle, diet, stress, and psychological, spiritual, and social factors.

This is never a question to ask on the internet. Please talk to a real, live, health care provider to go over your unique set of circumstances and how to best take care of yourself.

Marny Culpepper, L.Ac. offers a complimentary 15 minute consult to discuss the best option for you. Book your complimentary consult at: https://ehr.unifiedpractice.com/Public/OnlineBooking?ClinicUid=a0728b50-5044-4e1a-a428-0a4b0c0dae5b

Usually acupuncture is pain-free. Patients most often describe a sensation of warmth radiating from the needle, or tingling, either at the point directly, or along the meridian pathway. That said, when you put a needle in the tissue of the body where there are nerve endings, the possibility for pain exists. There may be a travelling sensation that feels like a currant of energy, a heaviness, or an achiness at the acupuncture point. This sensation is referred to as de qi and translates to “the qi has arrived”. It is, very generally speaking, what the acupuncturist hopes to accomplish in a treatment and can mean that the treatment was successful.

Research shows that acupuncture increases circulation, reduces inflammation, increases production of analgesics and other painkiller substances in the body, regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, and reduces stress. An acupuncturist, classically trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, will tell you that qi, or, energy, circulates in meridians, or, pathways, throughout the body and by placing needles along the acupuncture points that land on these meridians, we are able to have a systemic effect on the homeostasis of the body. The field of Traditional Chinese Medicine is around 4000 years old, and as such is in an ever-evolving conversation about how it works.

Yes. Acupuncture is a wonderful modality to treat pregnant women. The most important point is to always inform your acupuncturist if you are trying to conceive or if you are pregnant. If you might possibly be pregnant but are not sure, let your provider know! The timing of your cycle is critical in choosing the appropriate points for your health goals. A very small number of acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy. This means they cannot be used safely on pregnant women. Always get acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist, let your acupuncturist know about any health concerns and diagnosis you have, and always let your acupuncturist know if you MAYBE MIGHT have conceived or if you are pregnant. If you satisfy these three criteria, your chances of receiving a safe and therapeutic acupuncture treatment are just as high as for those who are not pregnant.

The frequency is dependent on the condition being treated, how your body responds to acupuncture, plus other variables like your financial situation, time constraints, etc. Acupuncture is most effective when received regularly and at least 2x/week.

There is a relationship between the condition being treated and the frequency of treatment prescribed. One session might give you results. It may take months to achieve results. In the case of acute pain, one session may eliminate the pain. In the case of ongoing, chronic pain, regular, weekly visits may be necessary for up to four months. In my practice, I advise patients to plan weekly sessions for three months and then we reassess the strategy. In the case of fertility support it is strongly suggested to allow for three months of uninterrupted weekly or twice weekly sessions BEFORE PLANNING TO CONCEIVE.

By receiving a Masters of Education in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have an education in acupuncture. Typically acupuncturists choose points that align with the theory of their school of training or teacher they followed when they were a student of acupuncture. Points are categorized by location and function. Things to consider when picking the appropriate points for a patient include the pattern of the imbalance in the patient, the patient’s constitution, the patient’s diet, the patient’s lifestyle, the season, et cetera.

No. Acupuncture point prescriptions are customized for each individual treated.

Yes, children can get acupuncture.  There are specific techniques for pediatric acupuncture and it is always advised that you find a provider who is trained in this field of Chinese Medicine.  

Cupping detoxifies the body and increases circulation.  It also creates a myofascial adjustment that can alleviate pain and tension.   It has traditionally been used for a wide variety of ailments, from infertility to viral infections, but in present day society it is most widely sought after for pain reduction.

Cupping is an ancient modality of body work used to promote health and wellbeing.  Cups made of glass, silicone, rubber, bamboo, or plastic are placed on the body in specific areas.  Some practitioners use vaso-pneumonic devices that require a pump to adhere the cup to the body.  Glass cups require fire to suck out the air before they are quickly placed on the body.  The cooling of the heated air creates the suction.  Typically a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol is ignited and placed in the cup while being held by a pair of clamps or scissors. The flame is flushed through the cup and then the cup is quickly placed on the body.  As with acupuncture, each provider has specific training in cupping, and a philosophy that supports their style of cupping.  Stationary cupping, moving cupping, wet cupping, and dry cupping are a few of the most mainstream styles of cupping.

Cupping is service that is included with every acupuncture session.  It is not always advised to have a cupping treatment so it may be avoided on a given day.  Cupping sessions can also be purchased a la carte.

Functional Medicine is an approach to Western Medicine with the focus on treating the underlying cause of disease instead of the symptoms.  Both the practitioner and patient are engaged in the therapeutic relationship with the patient’s story residing at the core of the clinical exchange.  Treatment is made with tools that assess environment, lifestyle, diet, stress, and psychological, spiritual, and social factors.