Acupuncture and Herbal Treatments

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles in the body to prevent and treat diseases. It is an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture promotes natural healing, enhances recuperative powers and immunity, supports physical and emotional health, and improves overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless, and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.

How does acupuncture work?
Doctors have practiced acupuncture for over 3000 years in China. Practitioners worked successfully to treat a variety of health issues using this ancient healthcare model. Acupuncture is based on the notion of an unceasing flow of “life energy” in our bodies known as Qi (pronounced CHEE). Qi is a vital energy that originates from our major organs and flows along continuous circulation channels.

When this energy flow is smooth and balanced, a person is healthy. When the energy is blocked, the balance is disturbed and a person will experience pain or illness. There are specific points along the channels, called acupuncture points, which practitioners can stimulate to restore the delicate balance of energy in the body. When this balance is restored, the body heals and the pain goes away.

Acupuncture has gained increasing recognition in the West for its effectiveness over the past few decades. In 1997, the National Institute of Health published a consensus among medical experts and practitioners that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture. The report cites studies that have demonstrated acupuncture “can cause multiple biological responses” that “lead to the activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain and in the periphery.” The NIH also reported acupuncture “activate[s] the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects,” regulates “blood flow both centrally and peripherally,” and “alter[s] immune functions.”

Does acupuncture hurt? Is it safe?
Acupuncture treatments are  safe, pain-free, and do not have adverse side effects. Most patients barely feel anything during our procedures. A small percentage experience some discomfort due to nervousness.
To ensure your safety and to protect against risk of infection, our clinic uses extremely fine, pre-sterilized, pre-packaged, disposable stainless steel needles.

Will acupuncture work for me?
Acupuncture is beneficial for the following illnesses and conditions:

Physiological	Psychiatric and Emotional Conditions	Gynecological	Other
• Musculoskeletal conditions • Osteoarthritis • Tendonitis • Cervical syndromes • Bursitis • Disc herniation • Neurological conditions • Headache • Migraine • Sciatic Neuralgia • Facial Paralysis • Seizures and epilepsy • Multiple Sclerosis • Parkinson’s disease • Numbness • Sprains or strains • Backache • Shoulder Pain • Elbow Pain • Flaccid paralysis	• Depression • Anxiety • Nervousness • Neuralgia • Insomnia • Heart Palpitations • Amnesia • Neurosis • Sleep disorders	• Menopausal syndrome • Premenstrual syndrome • Irregular menstruation • Infertility	• Tinnitus • Dizziness • Deafness • Weight loss • Quitting smoking • Alcohol abuse • Coughing • Asthma • Gastrointestinal dysfunction • Vomiting and hiccupping • Nausea

How many treatments do I need?
Since each person is unique, the number of treatments needed will vary. Among the determining factors are the nature, severity, and history of each person's complaint, as well as the general health of the individual. Usually one or two treatments per week are necessary to begin with. Many patients’ conditions can be alleviated rapidly with acupuncture and herbs. Chronic illnesses may require several treatments over a span of weeks. We will help create an individualized treatment plan that is right for you.

What do herbs do? Are they safe? 
Chinese Herbal Medicine is used in conjunction with acupuncture to support the healing process once the patient leaves the office. While acupuncture restores balance to the body, herbal medicine complements this restoration by impacting the body’s internal biochemistry and systems. The herbal treatments we prescribe are safe and effective alternatives, as well as complements, to Western medicine.

Chiropractic Treatments

What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural, noninvasive method of health care with a proven ability to relieve back pain, increase vitality, and promote well-being. It is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, such as back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Chiropractic treatment involves adjusting affected joints and tissues to alleviate pain and muscle tightness, effectively restoring mobility and allowing tissues to heal.

Do chiropractic treatments hurt?
Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, some patients may experience mild soreness or aching following treatment that is similar to the soreness resulting from exercise. This soreness usually goes away within 12 to 48 hours. In all his years as a chiropractor, Dr. Chen has never had a patient complain about pain from chiropractic care.