Blogs by Topic: Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has practiced acupuncture for three millennia, and now alternative medical therapies like acupuncture are on the rise in the United States. Through the use of fine, sterile needles at acupoints along twelve meridians, acupuncture improves the balance and flow of energy in your body through clearing energy blockages.

The philosophy behind acupuncture emphasizes universal yin and yang, two opposing forces that must be kept in balance within each human body. The acupuncture philosophy holds that the mind and body are inextricable from each other, where thoughts and emotions of the mind can drive physiological responses, impacting emotional and physical health.

So is acupuncture right for you? See these five ways that acupuncture can boost your overall well-being to decide for yourself if you’re ready to give it a try!

Most people only know about acupuncture from what they see in movies, television, and the media, but there are finer nuances that you should keep in mind when searching for the right acupuncturist for you.

1.     There different types of acupuncture

Japan, China, Korea, and other countries each developed their own systems of acupuncture over time, and each has different attributes. In addition to these, there are other specialties of acupuncture that concentrate on particular conditions or regions of the body. Do a little research and see which appeals to you most. Here at Beachside Community Acupuncture, we practice Traditional Chinese Medicine but are very light-handed, meaning we like our patients to barely feel the needles if they feel them at all. We add in other techniques as well, such as the Tan method or auricular acupuncture, in order to best serve our patients.

2.     There are also different types of acupuncturists

A certified acupuncturist (CA) is a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor or medical doctor, who has undergone additional training (usually about a year) to learn how to insert needles into the body. A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) must complete a three- to four-year graduate program learning about Eastern diagnosis, needle placement and insertion, point actions, herbal medicine, and other aspects of health, including some Western medicine. All acupuncturists at our clinic will be Licensed Acupuncturists.

3.     Each acupuncturist will have his or her own technique

If you've had acupuncture before and didn't enjoy the experience, don't be afraid to try it again! Just like having one bad experience with a dentist shouldn't make you give up on dental hygiene forever, not liking a previous acupuncturist shouldn't make you abandon this ancient medicine. If, on the other hand, you've loved your acupuncture treatments in the past, let us know what made them special and we'll keep that in mind during your visits to our clinic. 

Stress happens whether we like it or not, no matter how much we prepare for it. Having a list of positive activities readily available is key because you'll never know when that stress will strike. We at Beachside Community Acupuncture like to incorporate the physical and mental when we're dealing with stress, as you can see from our list. Involving the body in your stress relief - either through activating different senses with essential oils or by giving it gentle exercise - can not only provide more of a distraction but also influence the brain to rethink how's it's perceiving the stressful situation. 

Make a go-to list of stress relievers for yourself - they may be different from ours - and have it around so you know what to do when you feel overwhelmed. That way you won't agitate yourself more trying to figure out how to feel better!