Acupuncture

This comprehensive medical system is over 4,000 years old and is based on the movement of Qi (energy) throughout the body. For various reasons, the flow and distribution of Qi can become unbalanced. Through these sessions, our experienced acupuncturists can help determine underlying causes and patterns of disharmony and then help restore balance by "needling" particular points throughout the body. FAQ about Acupuncture and READ MORE about our Integrative Approach with Acupuncture.

Sessions: 60 minutes.

Five Element Acupuncutre

There is magic to the Five Elements. We have a tremendous connectivity to nature. When we chase symptoms around, "We are like dogs, chasing our own tails." We may cover up the symptom without getting to the root cause. When we work on the root cause, many parts of us can start to transform. The Five Elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal) are a way of describing nature. In nature, these five energies are associated with a season, and in humans they are associated with bodily organs, energy meridians and emotions.

Wood
Spring, Birth, Forward Movement, Vision, Self Assertion
-Liver and Gall Bladder

Water
Winter, Gestation, Primordial Life Force, Potency, Reserves
-Kidneys and Bladder

Fire
Summer, Maturity, Joy, Communication, Love
-Heart and Circulation

Metal
Autumn, Letting Go, Inspiration, Enrichment, Quality of Life
-Lung and Colon

Earth
Harvest, Fruition, Nourishment, Digestion (of food and ideas)
-Spleen and Stomach

Medical Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture uses Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts and applies them within an overall traditional/allopathic medicine framework. In most cases, medical acupuncture is not intended to be the sole treatment for a patient's particular condition; rather, it is most useful when applied in conjenction with the patient's ongoing medical treatment with his/her primary care physician.

What can Medical Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can be useful in treating a wide variety of symptoms and illnesses.
Examples of such conditions include:

Musculoskeletal disorders such as headaches, low back pain, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome
Gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable/spastic bowels, gastritis, diarrhea, indigestion
Some psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression
Pulmonary disorders including recurrent sinusitis, bronchitis
Some menstrual/pelvic disorers such as menstrual cramping and (sometimes) infertility

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have issued statements outlining the efficacy of acupuncture for many conditions.

Dr. Archard believes that any treatment must be prescribed in the context of the whole person, not just based on one or two specific symptoms. As part of this philosophy, acupuncture treatments are most effective when they are combined with conventional medcial treatment provided by each patient's primary care physician.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the management of a life force or energy called Qi (pronounced "chee"). According to TCM theory, Qi flows freely through channels in the body called meridians. Each meridian connects to a specific organ that governs a particular function of the body. When healthy, Qi maintains a balance between two opposing energies: the yin (negative, dark, feminine) and the yang (positive, light, masculine). Illness occurs when Qi becomes blocked or unbalanced. Acupuncture and other forms of TCM treatments restore the balance and flow of Qi. For certain conditions, TCM may work well as a stand-alone treatment, but for many conditions TCM therapy works most effectively when combined with Western Care.

Conditions Helped:*

Musculoskeletal: Carpal Tunnel Syndrom, Fibromyalgia, Low Back Pain/Sciatica, Osteoarthritis, Pain
Digestive: Constipation, Diarrhea, Hyperacidity, Indigestion, Nausea/Vomiting
Gynecological: Endometriosis, Infertility, Irregular Menses, Menopause, Menstrual Cramps
Neurological: Headache/Migraine, Neurogenic Bladder, Neuropathies, Stroke Rehabilitation
Respiratory: Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Common Cold, Sinusitis
Dermatology: Acne, Dermatitis, Eczema
Mind/Body: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Stress