You only have one body to live in, so there is nothing more important than getting proactive about your health and our mission is to support you in this process.
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest their patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” –Thomas Edison
Acupuncture is a treatment modality rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine which is simply a holistic form of health care used to balance the mind and body.
The core of Chinese Medicine is Qi (chee), which is the natural energy that flows throughout our body. It flows through specific pathways, called meridians, each connected to a specific organ or gland that governs particular bodily functions. Achieving the proper balance and flow of Qi creates health and wellness, and maintains the dynamic balance of yin and yang. It is said that “when Qi is abundant and free flowing health prevails”, and “when Qi is excessive, deficient, or blocked disease may prevail.”
According to Western science, acupuncture affects the whole body, including the brain, nervous system, endocrine system, muscular system, and connective tissue. It increases the circulation of blood flow, and stimulates the nervous system to release neurotransmitters and hormones into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, restore proper function, and promote physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Each treatment is cumulative. We do not know how your body will respond until we try a few sessions. Almost everyone will need a series of treatments to get the best results. You should notice positive changes in your body within the first five appointments; however, a typical course of treatment is one or two times a week for 5 to 10 weeks.
Orthopedic or Sports Acupuncture specifically targets the muscles and joints, and the nerve pathways that affect them. Through a combination of muscle testing, orthopedic testing, range of motion testing, and an assessment of the individual’s mechanics we can determine what muscles are imbalanced or inhibited due to repetitive use or injury. The goal is to correct imbalances in the muscles and joints, and reduce inflammation to restore normal, pain-free movement.
We are able to find the points in which nerves meet those muscles, known as motor points. When an acupuncture needle is used on a motor point with an electric impulse, it creates a contraction and relaxation phase, releasing tight contracted bands of muscle. The results are pain relief and improved muscle contractibility and mobility.
We are also able to find tight bands and knotted muscles, known as trigger points. When an acupuncture needles is inserted into a painful, contracted, knotted muscle this is known as dry needling. This technique creates a local twitch reflex. The results are pain relief, improved muscle contractibility and mobility, reduced inflammation, and improved flexibility.
Neurofunctional acupuncture, or electro-stim treatments, use a handheld unit or tens machine, to provides small electrical pulsations to facilitate modulation of neurological activity and create a stronger treatment effect.
Myofascial decompression, or cupping, is done by applying glass, plastic or silicone cups to the skin using a negative pressure. The vacuum created reduces myofascial adhesions, and promotes circulation of blood and lymph to stimulate healing.
Tui Na is a system of Chinese medical massage that uses active and passive stretching, soft tissue and joint mobilizations, and other techniques that are similar to western myofascial release.
Gua Sha is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique using a rounded edge tool to apply direct pressure to the skin, tendon, or muscle to promote blood flow, reduce scar tissue, and reduce myofascial adhesions.
You only have one body to live in, so there is nothing more important than getting proactive about your health and our mission is to support you in this process.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday
By Appointment Only
Servicing Niagara, Erie and Orleans counties