What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical system that has been used to effectively diagnose and treat illness for thousands of years.  A bioenergy called Chi circulates via pathways to all parts of the body.  When the flow of Chi is impeded or disturbed, pain or illness occurs.  The painless insertion of flexible hair-thin needles into precise points on the body helps restore the smooth flow of Chi, which balances and harmonizes body systems. 

Are the needles painful? 
Many patients fear needles due to previous unpleasant experiences with medical injections or inoculations.  While medical hypodermic needles are stiff and hollow to allow the injection or extraction of a fluid, acupuncture needles are extremely fine and flexible.  Each needle is no larger than a human hair and the insertion often produces no pain or only a slight sensation.  The needles used are always prepackaged, sterilized, and disposable.

What can I expect from a treatment?
The patient is asked to lay on a massage table usually either face up or face down.  Typically eight to ten acupuncture points are chosen, depending on the individual diagnosis. Needles are inserted into muscle, not into veins, arteries, or nerves. Upon insertion of a needle, the patient may feel a slight pinch or no sensation at all.  The needles are retained for approximately 20-30 minutes, during which the patient enters a deeply relaxed and peaceful meditative state.