Are you interested in learning more about the rich history of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine? There’s a wealth of material out there and sometimes it’s hard to decide where to start. Here are five of our favorite reads which will give you a better understanding of this amazing medicine!

The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk

A classic well-written, comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
 

Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield

An introduction to the philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how to use Chinese medical techniques in our own lives.
 

Tao Te Ching (“The Book of the Way”) by Lao Tzu

A compilation of 81 short paragraphs that lay the foundation of Taoist thought and give great insight to some thinking in-line with nature and Chinese Medical theory.
     

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition
by Paul Pitchford

A comprehensive guide to the theory and healing power of Chinese medicine. This is our go-to reference for TCM nutrition and food therapy guidelines.
  

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine translated from the “Neijing”

This is one of the oldest and most renowned texts on Taoism and Chinese Medicine. It’s a dense read, but a great read for anyone wanting to delve deeper into this medicine.

Since the pandemic in 2020, many of us are spending more time at home making it an ideal time to examine both home and workplace from a Feng Shui perspective. The environment in which we spend our time impacts how we feel, so it’s important that our home and work space feel as safe and serene as possible. Feng Shui is the Chinese Art of healing an environment by changing the flow of energy (Qi) and movement within it. Think of it as energy medicine for your home or work space; Feng Shui and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) both hold the same core principles, which can be summarized as follows:

• Objects should be placed strategically within a space: Mirrors and wind chimes, or the colors of your walls or furniture can balance the flow of Qi. Even your choice of home decorations can be important.
   

• Energy should be flowing freely through a space: Declutter your living and work spaces to create peaceful, restorative environments. Clutter pulls your energy down. You may experience it as feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, confused, or depressed. In Feng Shui terms, clutter creates stagnant energy that keeps you trapped. “Healthy energy is moving energy”.

• Natural elements (air, water, metal, fire, wood, earth) should be incorporated but balanced to create positive energy: For example, east is the direction of health. Since east is associated with the wood element, increase Qi by placing a healthy green plant in the east section of your home. Bamboo is a particularly good choice because it symbolizes longevity and good health.

Try incorporating some of the principles of Feng Shui into your own personal space to bring a little calm and comfort. You don’t need to be a Feng Shui expert, just have fun with it!

Cupping therapy is widely known for its effectiveness in relieving various types of pain, including muscle soreness, back pain, and migraines. By stimulating blood flow and releasing muscle tension, cupping helps alleviate pain, speed up tissue repair, and promote faster recovery.

What are the benefits of cupping?
🩷 Pain Relief and Muscle Tension Release:
Cupping therapy has been revered for its effectiveness in relieving various types of pain, including muscle soreness, back pain, and migraines. By stimulating blood flow and releasing muscle tension, cupping helps alleviate pain, enhance tissue repair, and promote faster recovery.
 
🧡 Improved Blood Circulation and Detoxification:
The suction created by cupping increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while also helping to clear out metabolic waste and toxins. This process supports the body’s natural detoxification, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

❤️ Enhanced Sports Performance and Injury Recovery:
Cupping therapy has gained popularity among athletes for its potential to enhance sports performance and  speed up recovery from injuries. By decreasing muscle soreness, improving flexibility, and promoting healing, cupping helps athletes achieve optimal performance and get back to training or competition more quickly.

💜 Stress Reduction and Relaxation:
Cupping therapy offers more than just physical benefits. The deep relaxation induced by cupping activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a relaxation response, reducing stress, anxiety, and mental tension.

🤎 Respiratory Health and Immune Support:
Cupping is also known to support respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. By improving lung function, aiding lymphatic drainage, and strengthening the immune system, cupping helps boost overall health and resilience.

What does cupping feel like?
The cups will often feel tight at first (not painful) as the cup suctions onto the skin. Patients often describe cupping as a similar feeling to a deep tissue massage. We can easily adjust the level of suction or pressure on the cup to suit your individual preferences. Cupping should never be painful.

How long do the cups remain on? The amount of time the cups remain of will vary from treatment to treatment, but the average is 5-10 minutes, though it is not unusual for cups to remain on for as long as 30 minutes. Please be advised that more cups and longer suction times do NOT indicate a better treatment.
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How long do the marks last? The length of time the marks last vary depending on the severity of your condition and your body's own healing rate. On average, it takes anywhere from a few days to a few week to fade completely.

If you are new to acupuncture, you probably have questions about what to expect. In addition to our FAQ page on our website, we hope to help you gain a clearer understanding of acupuncture and highlight its value in healthcare.

Lisa,

Q: Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

A: Not at all – Acupuncture is not a faith based therapy, and it does not conflict with any religious or spiritual beliefs. In fact, my dog gets acupuncture regularly to reduce inflammation from hip dysplasia. It’s amazing to witness the before and after. And, I’m pretty sure she is unbiased!

Acupuncture is a powerful healing modality, but it is not a panacea. It can be effective for a wide range of conditions, but it may not be appropriate for every health issue. As with all medicine, be it Western or Eastern, a positive outlook and lifestyle can reinforce the effects just as a negative attitude or lifestyle can hinder healing. I believe in setting the right intention and letting the medicine do the rest.


Jin,

Q: How do you choose where to put the needles?

A: The points I choose and how I needle them depends upon the patient’s unique presentation. As acupuncturists, we use a wide variety of diagnostic tools to determine the best treatment.

At the first visit, I will perform an in-depth consultation where we discuss your symptoms, health history and health goals. I also apply the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including pulse and tongue diagnosis, to identify imbalances in the body. Just like your Western medical doctor, I then draw up a differential diagnosis and treat accordingly.

There are over 360 acupuncture points distributed all over the body, from the top of the head to the sole of the foot. Each point has unique properties and is associated with specific organs or bodily functions. 

Some points may be selected for their local benefits, directly addressing pain or discomfort, while others may have broader systemic effects, influencing overall well-being.

After years of practice, it’s dedication and intuition that has helped my skill of choosing the perfect combination of points to help patients heal.


Chong,

Q: How many acupuncture treatments do I need?

A: This is one of the most common questions I get asked. Everyone wants to know how many acupuncture treatments are needed to effectively address their situation. No acupuncture treatment plan is meant to be forever. However, acupuncture is rarely “one and done”. 

Since each person is unique, the number and frequency of treatments needed will vary. Chronic conditions generally take longer to resolve than acute ones. Other factors that influence the number of treatments needed include the severity of the problem, lifestyle, overall health, and your constitution.

However, once your issue is resolved you do not have to keep coming for treatment. You may only need an occasional “tune-up”, but the eventual goal is that your body is able to support and heal itself.


Andrea,

Q: Do I need to see the same acupuncturist every time?

A: The short answer is no, you don’t. Our team works closely together, ensuring seamless communication and coordination of care. And we all chart what we do so we can see how each practitioner is treating you.

We all have similar training, but might use different techniques or choose different points. However, the goal for all of us is the same…do our best to help you feel your best!

When it comes to our little ones, their health and well-being are our top priorities. Did you know that acupuncture isn't just for adults? It can be a wonderful way to support your child's health naturally and gently.

What to Expect From a Pediatric Acupuncture Session:

In a typical pediatric acupuncture session, your child's practitioner will take time to understand your child's unique needs and health concerns. The session may include a gentle examination of the child's pulse and tongue, which are crucial aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostics.

For needle-based acupuncture, child-friendly, tiny, and virtually painless needles are used. For non-needle techniques, treatments may involve gentle acupressure, cupping, massage, or techniques like Shonishin, a specialized Japanese acupuncture method for children.

Some conditions and issues that we’ve used Pediatric Acupuncture to help treat include:

Digestive Issues: Acupuncture can help with digestive problems like colic, constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.

Sleep Disorders: It can assist in improving sleep quality and addressing issues like insomnia and night terrors.

Respiratory Conditions: Acupuncture may be used to alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and frequent colds or respiratory infections.

Emotional and Behavioral Challenges: Acupuncture can aid in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavioral difficulties.

Allergies and Sensitivities: Pediatric acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of allergies and sensitivities to food or the environment.

Developmental Delays: For children with developmental delays, acupuncture may be part of a comprehensive therapy plan to support their progress.

A Final Thought

It's important to note that pediatric acupuncture is a gentle and safe approach, and practitioners like Lisa are specially trained to work with children. If you're considering acupuncture for your child, consult with a qualified and experienced pediatric acupuncturist who can tailor the treatment to your child's unique needs.

When we eat foods and drink beverages, they are converted in the stomach into a soupy mixture with digestive juices at 100°F just above normal body temperature. At that temperature, the enzymes and acids break down the food efficiently.

When we eat or drink foods that are cold, they must be warmed up by the body to 100°F. That takes a fair amount of energy. While the ingested materials are being warmed up, the stomach, and it’s digestive juices function inefficiently. The more we consume at cool temperature, the more energy it takes to warm it up and the less efficient the digestion. On the other hand, if food is consumed warm, (near 100°F) it is digested efficiently and our bodies need not expend unnecessary energy warming it up.

Foods that are inadequately digested enter the intestines and cannot be easily absorbed. Therefore we miss out on some other nutrients, and the undigested food is used by the intestinal bacteria, producing gas, bloating and intestinal cramping. Diarrhea will be worsened by these conditions.

BE MINDFUL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1/ Avoid very cold foods and beverages: be especially careful, about iced beverages, ice cream, and the like.

2/ Whenever possible, allow fresh foods to warm to room temperature, and cook foods, (and eat them while still warm if possible).

3/ When taking herbs, use warm water or tea to swallow them or follow up with some warm beverage.

A warm soup is an ideal way to get nourishment. It is already predigested by the cooking process, and it needs minimal digestive activity to make it absorbable. There are some ingredients that can be included to further warm up a meal: such as garlic, ginger, and green onions.

Although we don’t understand the mechanisms of Long-COVID, acupuncture can help to speed up the recovery process. In addition, acupuncture can strengthen the immune system and also stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system helping the body to relax and rebalance.

Our very own, Amy Hausman, L.Ac. shares her thoughts on navigating the Coronavirus from a Chinese medicine perspective and the steps you can take to build up your immune system.

Who doesn’t love that feeling when you’ve been craving some chocolate and you finally get your hands on the dark, velvety stuff, and you pop it in your mouth and the world just feels nice for a second?

A few brilliant–and might I add, probably “crunchy”–acupuncturists decided to add therapeutic grade essential oils to their practice. The result? Amazingly elevated results and highly enjoyable treatments for their clients.

Protecting our most valuable resource.

The theory of Qi was developed in ancient China to assist in understanding natural phenomena: everything in the universe results from the movements and changes of Qi, or ‘energy’.