Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can have positive effects in the treatment of virtually any disorder. Acupuncture is very effective in the treatment of pain, injuries, depression, anxiety, women’s health, men’s health, cold’s and flus, digestive disorders, allergies, arthritis, addiction, skin conditions, headaches, stress, pregnancy and post partum, and much more. Call The Red Tent and schedule a free in person or telephone consult. The practice of acupuncture and moxibustion is based on the theory of meridians. According to this theory, qi (vital energy) and blood circulate in the body through a system of channels called meridians, connecting internal organs with external organs or tissues. By stimulating certain points of the body surface reached by meridians through needling or moxibustion, the flow of qi and blood can be regulated and diseases are thus treated. These stimulation points are called acupuncture points, or acupoints. Acupuncture is an integral part of the rapid growth of complementary medicine in the United States. It has had at least 2,000 years of documented use and continual development in the Far East. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it in fact can treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on supporting the natural processes of the bodymind in its movement towards greater health, and the treatment of specific symptomatic disease. The health of the body is dependent on the life force energy –known as Qi or Prana- moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of energetic channels (meridians). These energy channels are treated with very fine needles to unblock and stimulate the flow of energy. This activation enhances the function of the organs, vitalizing our muscular, immune, digestive, metabolic and hormonal systems. Acupuncture is truly a holistic approach to developing and maintaining a dynamic and life long quality of health.Conditions Commonly Treated
musculo-skeletal disorders
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Back pain, upper/lower
• Sciatic pain
• Pain and numbness of the extremities
• Arthritis/joint pain
• Tennis elbow/Golfer’s elbow
• Pre/post surgical conditions
• Sports injuries
• Traumatic injuries
• Chronic intractable pain
neurological disorders
• Headache • Migraine • Vertigo • Bells palsy
• Trigeminal neuralgia
gastrointestinal disorders
• Gastritis • Colitis • IBS/IBD/Crohns disease
• Constipation/Diarrhea • Gas/Bloating/Distention
• Weight loss/Weight gain
ob/gyn (from the perspective of Oriental Medicine)
• Fertility/IVF support
• Dysfunctional Menstruation
o Irregular Menstruation/Ovulation
o Absent or painful menstruation
o Endometriosis o PMS
• Fibroids/Cysts
• Pre/Peri/Post-menopausal conditions
mind + spirit
• Stress
• Restless Sleep
• Anxiety/Depression
• Lack of Mental Focus
• Fatigue
• Emotional Trauma
• Life Transitions
• Personal Growth Support
Evidence that Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3AD. Acupuncture and herbal medicine will help to bring you back into balance. Your whole system is supported making you stronger and better equipped to have a successful pregnancy and labor. Fertility acupuncture is appropriate for men and women
Acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries and helps prepare the uterus for implantation and pregnancy. It calms the woman and also allows her to better deal with the stress of Western fertility treatments, if she is going through them, or with the stresses of dealing with fertility issues.
Generally, the TCM practitioner treats the body’s root imbalances and the body’s symptoms are thereby alleviated. This theory applies to fertility as much as to any other condition. A woman’s natural balanced state, from her first moon to the last she is in a state of "potentially conceiving." A deviation from this state—an imbalance in TCM theory—does not necessarily imply “infertility;” it simply means a shift from one’s optimum reproductive health.
In Yin and Yang theory, any extreme contains a kernel of its opposite. For example, even the shortest day of the year contains the moment the days start getting longer. While your reproductive health may be at its weakest at the time of your first treatment, your initial visit may be your first step toward a state of rejuvenated fertility.
The foundations of TCM are based on theories that emphasize the need for balance when maintaining good health. Any form of illness or health condition is considered an imbalance of qi and blood, not an indefinite state. Therefore, women who claim to suffer from infertility are actually just migrating away from their desired state of reproductive health. Many factors can create an imbalance in optimum reproductive health and this will be discussed and determined during a full consultation. Couples trying to conceive have many options and through consultation an acupuncture physician will determine if acupuncture will remain a “stand alone treatment”. Stress, changes in lifestyle or traumatic experiences can create obstacles when trying to conceive but acupuncture can provide enough support for a woman to conceive naturally. Many couples seek the advances of Western medicine to become pregnant. Pregnancy through modern treatment of in vitro-fertilization is also dramatically increased with consistent acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture ensures the smooth flow of qi and blood needed to nourish and support tissues and organ function. Blood work taken during the process of in vitro is useful for a TCM physician to create a treatment plan based on the exact areas of imbalance.