Acupunture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese system of health care. It aims to prevent and treat many diseases and conditions by placing very fine needles into specific points of the body.

How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting imbalances. Acupuncture also prompts the body to produce chemicals that decrease or eliminate painful sensations.

There are hundreds of acupuncture points along the body’s 14 major meridians or energy-carrying channels. “Qi” pronounced “chee”) is the term used to describe the energy that circulates through meridians. The belief is that illness is caused by a disruption of Qi which leads to an imbalance of energy. Acupuncture corrects the energy imbalances.

When acupuncture points are stimulated it causes the body to release endorphins (naturally produced pain killers) and neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses) which help block the message of pain from being delivered to the brain and have other regulatory effects as well.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted. You may feel other sensations such as tingling, heaviness, or numbness after the needles have been inserted.

Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes!! When acupuncture is performed with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, it is highly unusual to have any complications.

How Often Should I Be Treated With Acupuncture?
The number of treatments required depends on each person’s condition and response to acupuncture. One acupuncture session does not usually result in relief of pain. One or two sessions a week for five to six weeks is the normal course of treatment. Dr. Francis will discuss with you how many treatments you should have and how often you should have them.

What Happens During Acupuncture Treatment?
In a treatment series, Dr. Francis may use different combinations of points and needling techniques. These combinations help stimulate new sources of healing as the patient’s response to treatment is observed.

What Conditions Are Treated With Acupuncture?