Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a primary modality used to correct energetic imbalances. It is a practice rooted in the awareness of the life energy (Qi) “pronounced Chi”, that exists all around us, within us, and is what gives us life.  Qi flows in the body through a network of channels and influences and regulates our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Health requires a balanced movement of Qi. When Qi moves freely, the body’s physical and emotional state will harmonize, health will optimize, and disease will dissipate. Acupuncture can be used to both prevent and treat illness by restoring normal bodily functions.  Acupuncture can be used alone or as a complement to conventional biomedicine.  

What does acupuncture feel like?

Acupuncture involves the use of fine, sterilized disposal needles or pressure applied to points throughout the body where an individual’s Qi can be accessed and adjusted. The insertion of the needles are relatively painless, and some may not even feel them going in.  With correct stimulation the movement of Qi for a patient may cause a sensation that has been described as heaviness, distention, or tingling. This sensation may be felt at the location of the needle only or may travel up or down the meridian (energy pathway) that is being affected. This sensation is what the acupuncturist wants to happen for the patient, as it is a sign that the patient’s Qi is adjusting towards balance. When the Qi is balanced an immediate overall increase sense of well-being is experienced.  Acupuncture can relax, energize, nourish, and decrease pain from the body. 

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture has truly been gaining widespread acknowledgement in its ability to effectively treat pain and promote health.  It is an ancient therapeutic modality effectively used for centuries.  The language and system of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine evolved from observation of nature, of how the body reacts to illness, and of the human body.   More research is becoming available to help explain and validate the effectiveness of acupuncture in Western medical terms. The National Institute of Health released a consensus report detailing its use and proven efficacy for pain and promoting health.  Western research into the mode of action of acupuncture has revealed important insights into the physiology of its’ healing action.  Acupuncture can relax muscles, decrease inflammation, and promote blood circulation. It can calm and relax the mind and body, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.  Acupuncture stimulates wound healing by stimulating our body’s innate healing mechanisms to encourage healing of old injuries, organ dysfunction and disease.  In China, acupuncture is used effectively during surgery for anesthesia.  Ongoing research in the effect of acupuncture continues to inform us of its’ amazing possibilities for healing.

Non-needling methods

Acupressure, moxibustion, gua sha, cupping, and tuning forks are other modalities that apply Chinese medicine treatment principles. For those who are afraid of needles, these modalities are an alternative to or alongside with acupuncture needling and can be applied to help treat, support and balance one’s body.  Gua sha, cupping, and moxibustion are ancient Chinese treatment modalities that help add energy to the body or release excess energy, and can feel very relaxing when used appropriately.

Acutonics Healing System

Acutonics® is non-invasive treatment modality using precision-calibrated tuning forks applied over acupuncture points, chakras, or over the ears and body to affect change via vibration along the energetic meridian system.  Donna Carey, PhD, L.Ac and Marjorie de Muynck, LMP developed the acutonics healing system over 10 years ago. The tuning forks carry a frequency when struck that represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Earth, Moon, Sun and planets which have a sympathetic resonance with the vibrational frequencies of our cells, organs, and body rhythms. The sound waves of the forks vibrate and travel deeply into the body along energy pathways, affecting human physiology and reaching places not easily accessed by traditional medicine. Applying the forks stimulates and balances the body’s physical and subtle energy field to promote healing and inner harmony. Listening to the forks speaks to us deeply by connecting with our vestibular system, within the inner ear canal, and accessing our sense of motion, balance, space, memory, and healing.

At Inner Harmony Integrative Health, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established that acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions effectively, including:

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