Acupuncture
Is Acupuncture right for me?
Acupuncture is one of many treatment modalities within East Asian medicine. It can have different effects for every individual. For some, it helps to give them a sense of calm by softening the nervous system and reconnecting to the body. For others, it can provide significant pain relief. Many Western medical conditions are treated alone or in conjunction with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Although Western studies are limited, there are more and more that research acupuncture's efficacy through a Western scientific lens. Society is shifting away from the confining presence of Western culture on health and medicine, and the movement towards non-Western forms of healing is expanding.
Originating in China over 2,000 years ago, acupuncture has been used by practitioners to treat many conditions using a selection of over 200 specific points on the body. Each point has its own anatomical location, function, connection, and relation to the systems and channels throughout the body. East Asian medicine provides a multidimensional perspective, where Qi (Chee) is the energy, or life force, connecting and flowing through these systems and channels. Like blood flowing through the vessels of the circulatory system or neuron signals firing within the pathways of the nervous system, Qi moves through channels, or meridians, connecting to the organs and layers of the body. While each system physically exists independently, all systems are energetically interconnected, each functioning interdependently together. With a disease affecting one area of the body, all systems will eventually be affected.
Acupuncture treats the Qi flowing within the channels of the body. After a diagnosis is made using multiple forms of East Asian medicine diagnostic tools (pulse, tongue, objective, and subjective data), tiny needles are placed into a group of meticulously chosen points on the body. The intention is to activate a person’s Qi, whether it needs smoothing, redirecting, strengthening, or reducing. The effect of acupuncture lies in its activation of the body's natural tendency to reset towards its desired state of homeostasis. This state of balance and being is where tissues start to heal, ligaments rebuild, and organs soothe. It is where muscles relax, emotions calm, and pain releases. Acupuncture’s method of interconnectedness with the whole body makes it the ultimate holistic healing experience.
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(income based pricing available)
ACUPUNCTURE PRICING:
INITIAL TREATMENT: $200
FOLLOW UP: $100
HOME VISIT: $300 initial, $250 follow up
COMMUNITY STYLE HAPPY HOUR
(See community acupuncture page)
FRIDAYS 5-7PM: $25-55
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what I Treat through acupuncture
Physical Pain
In East Asian medicine, the meridian system travels throughout the body like the way the nervous system appears, connecting the peripheral body (hands and feet) to the central body (torso, spine and brain). In a simplified explanation, pain is a reaction that takes place when an area of the body is stimulated in a way that the mind perceives as a threat. A nerve signal is then sent to and from the brain and the affected pain area. The outcome is the expression of pain.
You may find an acupuncturist, with centuries-old knowledge of East Asian medicine, placing tiny needles in your foot or legs to treat the pain in your head or back. This is because acupuncture treats the Qi flowing through the meridians of the body. When there is pain, there is stagnation of Qi and, like nerves, the affected pain area can be stimulated by treating another part of the body. Acupuncture moves Qi in the affected pain meridian, clearing stagnation and alleviating the feeling of pain.
Emotional Well-being
Like physical pain, unprocessed emotions may affect certain areas of the body, causing an imbalance or a stagnation of Qi. With chronic imbalance and stagnation of Qi, the potential for disease increases. When disease affects one system it will eventually affect others. By addressing the root cause of the imbalance through treating the Qi, emotions start to release, allowing the body, mind and soul to begin to heal.
Western Medical Conditions
Acupuncture is often used alongside Western medicine management for a wide range of diagnoses. As a nurse I have experience working with people living with chronic health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, and other organ diseases, cancer, infection, and digestive issues. I find the addition of acupuncture and an East Asian medicine perspective helps fill the holes of Western medicine and enhances Western treatment. Alone, acupuncture is also beneficial in managing symptoms of acute and chronic conditions.
During my training, working at a community prenatal clinic in San Francisco, I had success managing side effects of prenatal hormonal imbalance, and other AFAB/FAAB conditions such as menstruation and menopausal related concerns. I have found acupuncture to be extremely helpful for dealing with several types of gender diverse hormonal, reproductive and sexual health concerns.
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Office location
The Lotus Center
417 South Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco 94103
Home visits offered upon request!
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COvid-19 Protocol
A COVID-19 screening assessment will be emailed to you for completion prior to visit. Temperature and 02 sat checks will be taken upon arrival. Masks required in the clinic. Thank you for your cooperation to keep our high risk clients safe!