Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles into particular points on the body to effect change in the body.  The needles calm the nervous system, activate the immune response, and increase circulation to allow the body to heal itself.

Have you ever had a bikini wax?  It's nothing like that.  

Jokes aside, acupuncture is meant to be very relaxing and comfortable.  The needles I use are designed to be painless upon insertion, and I am trained in gentle needling techniques so that you won't feel at all like a pincushion!

After a treatment, you might experience fatigue, headache, or notice a small bruise where you were needled.  These effects are not common, and can be mitigated if you eat regularly, drink lots of water, and don't over-exert yourself on the day of your treatment.

Please come to your first appointment with food in your tummy, not just your morning cup of coffee.  Acupuncture can cause your blood sugar to drop, so it's very important that you eat before your treatment and after, too, if you're hungry.  Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  I usually need to access points up to your elbows and knees, and sometimes your back.

Acupuncture is not a magical quick fix.  Most clients notice that they feel better for a few hours or a few days after their first treatment, so it is important to get regular treatments until your symptoms stay away in the long term.  I see most clients 1-2 times per week for 5 weeks, then re-assess to see if we can switch to bi-weekly or monthly appointments.  For most conditions, it's a good idea to receive acupuncture once a month, or once a quarter, to keep yourself in the best health indefinitely.

My cosmetic acupuncture protocol is a little different -- it's a very specific 10 treatments over 5 weeks, followed by monthly maintenance.

Cupping and gua sha leave dark red or purple "hickeys" on your skin, and they usually take 5-7 days to completely fade away.  Cupping and gua sha break up the fascia, allowing blood that is stuck in tense muscles to come up to the skin, where your lymphatic system can filter the blood and replace it with fresh cells.  This keeps your muscles supple and allows your body to detoxify.  After any cupping or gua sha, be sure to drink plenty of water.  

Dry needling is the name used by professionals who are not acupuncturists who insert acupuncture needles into the skin.  Typically, dry needling is deep, aggressive needling into trigger points in muscles.  This style of needling causes the muscle to contract rapidly and then relax completely, and is very helpful for sports recovery.  Acupuncturists are highly trained in trigger point needling, including the anatomical structures around your muscles and the appropriate depths to needle to find your trigger points.

At this time, I do not accept insurance.  Please contact me if you would like to discuss need-based discounted rates.