Will Acupuncture help with anxiety or depression?

Acupuncture can be effective in helping manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is believed to stimulate the body's natural healing response, releasing endorphins and other neurotransmitters that positively affect mood and stress levels. By targeting specific points, acupuncture aims to balance the body's energy, reduce tension, and promote relaxation, contributing to an overall sense of well-being. Many find it a beneficial complement to conventional therapies for anxiety and depression.

Why do Acupuncturists look at my tongue?

Acupuncturists look at your tongue as part of a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic process. The tongue's color, coating, shape, and moisture level provide insights into your body's health and the state of your internal organs. This practice helps them understand imbalances in the body and guide the treatment plan. The tongue is considered a map to your well-being, reflecting the overall harmony or disharmony of your Qi (vital energy).

Where do Acupuncture needles go?

Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body known as acupuncture points or acupoints, which are located along meridians or pathways believed to be the channels for the flow of Qi, or vital energy. The selection of points is tailored to each individual's condition and health needs. These points can be located all over the body, including the back, limbs, head, and ears, depending on the symptoms or disorders being treated.

Is Acupuncture ok during pregnancy?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. It can help manage common pregnancy-related issues such as nausea, vomiting, back pain, and stress. However, certain acupuncture points are avoided as they may stimulate labor. It's essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting acupuncture and ensure the acupuncturist is informed about your pregnancy and has experience in treating pregnant women.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture typically does not hurt. Most people experience minimal to no pain as the thin needles are inserted. Some may feel a slight pinch, tingling, warmth, or a dull ache at the insertion points, sensations often described as momentary and mild. The procedure is generally considered relaxing and even energizing. The skill of the acupuncturist and the individual's sensitivity level can influence the overall experience, but significant pain is uncommon.

What does Acupuncture do to your body?

Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body, prompting the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. It can increase circulation, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and enhance the immune system. Essentially, acupuncture helps to restore balance and flow of energy in the body, leading to improved health and function.

What can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions including chronic pain (like headaches, back pain, neck pain), arthritis, digestive disorders, mood disturbances (such as depression and anxiety), insomnia, stress, allergies, menstrual cramps, and fertility issues. It's also used for enhancing overall well-being and managing symptoms of chronic illnesses. The effectiveness can vary among individuals, but many find relief and improvement in their symptoms through acupuncture treatments.

What does Acupuncture do?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at specific body points to balance the flow of Qi, the body's vital energy. It aims to promote natural healing, relieve pain, and improve function. By stimulating the body's meridians, acupuncture is used for various conditions, offering benefits like pain relief, improved circulation, and enhanced well-being.

Tui Na: What Makes It Different from Massage

Tui Na (pronounced “twee-nah”) is one of the oldest healing arts in the world. As part of Classical Chinese Medicine, it combines rhythmic physical techniques with energetic principles to treat both physical and internal imbalances. At first glance, it may look like massage, but Tui Na is something entirely different.

What Is Tui Na?

Tui Na literally means “push and grasp.” It is a therapeutic form of bodywork that uses specific techniques to open the body’s meridians, promote the movement of Qi and Blood, and regulate the organs. While Western massage often focuses on relaxing the muscles or relieving tension, Tui Na is applied with the goal of restoring physiological and energetic balance.

Tui Na has been practiced in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years and is often used alongside acupuncture and herbal medicine.

How Tui Na Differs from Massage

1. It Follows the Meridians and Acupoints

Tui Na works along the same energy pathways (meridians) and points used in acupuncture. Rather than focusing solely on muscle tissue, the practitioner uses techniques to influence the flow of Qi through specific channels and points. This can affect not only pain but also digestion, sleep, mood, and organ function.

2. It Is More Dynamic and Specific

Tui Na may include pressing, rolling, kneading, stretching, tapping, and joint mobilization. These are not random movements. Each technique is chosen based on a diagnostic understanding of the patient's pattern. Some sessions are vigorous and energizing, while others are gentle and nourishing.

3. It Treats Internal Conditions

Because of its energetic foundation, Tui Na is not limited to musculoskeletal issues. It is often used to treat headaches, insomnia, fatigue, menstrual issues, digestive problems, and anxiety. Massage may offer temporary relief. Tui Na aims to correct the root imbalance that causes the symptoms.

4. It Is Based on Diagnosis, Not Routine

Tui Na is never one-size-fits-all. A session begins with a diagnostic process rooted in Chinese medicine: pulse reading, tongue observation, and questions about lifestyle, sleep, digestion, and emotional state. The treatment is then crafted based on the patient’s pattern of disharmony.

Who Can Benefit from Tui Na?

Tui Na is especially beneficial for:

Chronic pain or tension
Joint stiffness or injury recovery
Stress-related symptoms
Fatigue or low energy
Digestive or reproductive imbalances
Emotional tension or restlessness

Tui Na as Part of a Holistic System

Tui Na is one branch of a full medical tradition. It is most powerful when used in harmony with acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and lifestyle cultivation. Rather than offering temporary relief, Tui Na helps retrain the body to hold balance, regulate itself, and heal more deeply over time.

If you’ve never experienced bodywork that goes beyond the surface, Tui Na may open a new door to healing. It speaks to the body in the language it understands: rhythm, flow, and presence.