How does Acupuncture work?

Scientifically speaking, Acupuncture stimulates your central nervous system and interacts with your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) responsible for the regulation of hormone production (cortisol, endorphins, serotonin) & crucial for stress management. 

By triggering your HPA, switching off your “fight or flight” mode, reducing cortisol levels, inflammation, releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals) and influences the release of serotonin.

Simultaneously activating your Parasympathetic Nervous system, responsible for life-sustaining processes like digestion, liver detoxification & kidney filtration.  

Acupuncture points are located in specific areas of the body along meridian channels. There are 12 main channels that connect to key organs such as the liver or spleen. Qi flows through these meridians keeping the body in a balanced state - free of disease or pain. When this flow is disrupted and out of balance, illness occurs. 

Many factors can throw off this balance from diet, & overworking to emotional stress. A practitioner thoroughly analyses your symptoms, involving a serious of questions and tongue and pulse observation to figure out where the imbalance is coming from.

Then a treatment plan is made to focus on restoring the balance at the root cause, preventing symptoms from reoccurring.

How many treatments do I need?

You will feel the benefits after your first session due to the immediate impact on your nervous system, stimulating dopamine and serotonin - so you’ll often have a little “Acu-high”. 

However the effects of Acupuncture is more accumulative, each treatment brings your body closer to its natural state of balance - and if you’ve been dealing with a chronic issue then results may take anywhere from 2-6 months of weekly sessions. 

In saying that, I see patients for an average of 6 weekly sessions. (1.5 months) 

When the body reaches its natural state of balance, it can resolve issues on its own much easier and you’ll notice old triggers don’t have the same impact anymore. 

After this initial period, I suggest having treatments every couple of months, or during periods of high stress - for “maintenance” like getting your car serviced to keep it running optimally.

How does it feel?

You often do not feel the needle being inserted, some areas more than others. You can feel a strange or dull sensation, that feeling has a term “Deqi”  It means the Qi has arrived and is completely normal -  some people love the sensation, some not so much (including myself).

But shortly after the needles are inserted you will feel a deep sense of relaxation & often drift off to sleep! 

What does it treat?

As it impacts your central nervous system and has a large role on balancing hormones - it can treat a very large range of conditions. From acute muscular issues like sprains to fertility, anxiety, digestion & fatigue.

If you are curious about how acupuncture can help you, please feel free to contact me.