What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the primary, and perhaps best known, treatments used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It was developed over 2,000 years ago and due to it's clinical effectiveness, acupuncture continues to be a popular form of treatment for many conditions.  The practice of acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into specific points (acupoints) along your body’s energy channels and has been shown to be very effective in managing pain, caused by injury or chronic conditions, and also a variety of other health conditions (see below for commonly treated conditions).

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How does Acupuncture Work?

The practice of acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into specific acupoints along your body’s energy channels in order to balance and assist the free flow of qi.  Here are the key elements of acupuncture:

Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) is one of the oldest and most basic concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine but also one of the hardest to define. Qi is considered the vital energy that exists in all of us and our universe. This concept exists in other countries by other names. In Japan, it is known as ‘ki’ and in India, yogis call it ‘prana’. In ancient Greece, it was known as ‘pneuma’ and in ancient Egypt as ‘ka’.  Meridians are pathways that carry Qi throughout your body. Acupuncture points (acupoints) are located along the meridians and promote your body’s healing abilities by regulating the flow of Qi through these meridians. Over thousands of years, practitioners of TCM have mapped out 12 main meridians and 8 extra meridians on your body. Each meridian is connected to one specific organ, or group of organs, that govern particular bodily functions.

According to (TCM),  good health and vitality is dependent on sufficient amounts of qi and its free flow throughout your body. Illness results when Qi is stagnant or blocked, or when there is too little, or too much. When Qi is balanced and flows freely, well-being is insured. 

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Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very short and extremely slender. Each person will experience acupuncture treatment differently; some find the experience blissful and others experience brief pain.  Dr. Feldman works with you one on one through the whole session and will ensure that you are comfortable at all times and not experiencing sustained pain.