Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and is one of the oldest and most commonly used systems of medicine in the world. What is commonly referred to as acupuncture is really the system of Oriental Medicine which includes Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, Tui Na massage,cupping and dietary therapies. This medicine is based on a unique and highly sophisticated view of the human body and the nature and development of disease. The ancient Chinese viewed a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. Unlike some approaches that attempt to isolate and separate a disease from a person, Oriental Medicine emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the body and mind.

This ancient and elaborate medical system is based on the concept of Qi (pronounced Chee), a vital energy that nourishes and animates the body. Qi moves throughout the body in a network of meridians in much the same way as blood flows through the blood vessels. Oriental medicine views disease as the result of stagnation or blockages in this energetic system. A well trained practitioner can remove these blockages to help treat disease and bring physical and emotional balance. As this traditional form of medicine has spread throughout the world, the medicine has evolved through a continuous process of critical thinking and clinical observation to include a variety of treatment modalities and therapies from many Asian countries.

During your first acupuncture / Oriental Medicine treatment, you will be asked about your health condition, health history, lifestyle and diet. All this information is used to form a comprehensive picture of your condition and what may have contributed to it. You should always inform your practitioner about all the treatments and medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have. It is also very important to inform your other health care providers, such as your primary care physician, about any acupuncture / Oriental Medicine treatments you are using or considering.

The World Health Organization has issued a list of over 30 diseases that lend themselves to treatment by acupuncture. The addition of other Oriental Medicine therapies can greatly increase the range of treatable diseases far beyond this list.

Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
Toothaches, earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis

Respiratory Disorders
Colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis

Circulatory Disorders
Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris

Urogenital Disorders
Cystitis, stress incontinence, neurogenic bladder, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy

Gynecological Disorders
Menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal syndrome

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia (Read more)

Psycho-emotional and Neurological Disorders
Depression, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus