Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a nearly painless procedure whereby extremely thin (0.25 mm) acupuncture needles are inserted through the skin. The needles are then used to manipulate subcutaneous tissues including nerves, muscles, and blood vessels in order to treat your problem. There are many different procedures used by acupuncturists. Your acupuncturist chooses which procedure or technique best suits your clinical needs
Acupuncture is a nearly painless procedure whereby extremely thin (0.25 mm) acupuncture needles are inserted through the skin. The needles are then used to manipulate subcutaneous tissues including nerves, muscles, and blood vessels in order to treat your problem. There are many different procedures used by acupuncturists. Your acupuncturist chooses which procedure or technique best suits your clinical needs
- Electro-Acupuncture
Acupuncture works by stimulating particular nerve fibers and specific soft tissue in particular ways. Modern acupuncturists use electronic stimulation (estim) to deliver a perfectly measured stimulation to the acupuncture needles. This is called electro-acupuncture. The frequency and wave pattern can be adjusted with electro-acupuncture to elicit a precise and effective response from your nervous system and the connective tissues surrounding the needle. This procedure provides the best results when combined with other procedures.
- Scalp Acupuncture
Another more recent development in modern acupuncture is known as 'scalp acupuncture.' Scalp acupuncture uses treatment sites on the scalp and has been shown in clinical trials to be very effective at treating many different conditions, including pain. It has been shown with advanced imaging studies (fMRI) that scalp acupuncture can have precise effects on the brain. This makes it an important part of modern acupuncture treatment.
- Trigger Point Acupuncture/Dry Needling
Dry needling or trigger point acupuncture is really the most basic style of acupuncture in any acupuncturist skillset. Although controversy exists over what to call it by name, it really is the most common form of acupuncture practiced in America today.Trigger-points are just another term for the painful knots you have probably felt in a sore, or injured muscle that can refer pain to other places. Acupuncture is very effective at treating trigger-points.
- Auricular Acupuncture
This style of acupuncture involves placement of needles into the ear. Ear acupuncture is popular in Europe and in the military for a variety of applications. Like Scalp acupuncture, it effects on the brain have been, and continue to be studied. The ear has many unique anatomical attributes including being one of the only surface locations directly available for the stimulation of the vagus nerve, which conducts complex sensory and motor functions throughout the body.