As the holiday season approaches, it’s essential to prioritize your well-being. Acupuncture offers a holistic solution to help you prepare for winter and manage the inevitable holiday stress. Discover the benefits and embrace a season of balance and tranquility.

Acupuncture: Your Winter Wellness Ally 

Winter is a time of transition, and our bodies often need extra support to adapt to the changing seasons. Acupuncture, with its emphasis on balance and harmony, is a natural choice for winter wellness. Here’s how it can help you:

1. Boost Immunity: Acupuncture enhances your body’s natural defense mechanisms. By strengthening your immune system, it can help you ward off winter colds and illnesses.
2. Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Many people experience a drop in mood during the darker months. Acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of SAD and help you maintain a positive outlook.
3. Increase Energy: Feeling sluggish during the winter months is common. Acupuncture sessions can revitalize your energy, keeping you active and engaged.
4. Pain Relief: Winter can exacerbate chronic pain conditions. Acupuncture provides drug-free pain relief, allowing you to stay active and enjoy the season.

Managing Holiday Stress 

The holiday season, while joyful, can also bring stress and anxiety. From family gatherings to gift shopping, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Acupuncture can be a powerful tool for managing holiday stress:

1. Stress Reduction: Acupuncture releases endorphins, your body’s natural stress-fighting chemicals. Regular sessions can help you stay calm and collected.
2. Improved Sleep: Restful sleep is crucial during the holidays. Acupuncture can address sleep issues, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
3. Emotional Balance: The holidays can stir up emotions. Acupuncture helps balance your emotional state, making it easier to handle the ups and downs.
4. Mental Clarity: With the chaos of holiday planning, mental clarity is essential. Acupuncture can enhance your focus and decision-making abilities.

 Preparing for Winter and the Holidays 

To make the most of acupuncture for winter wellness and stress management:

1. Schedule Regular Sessions: Consistency is key. Plan a series of acupuncture sessions to build and maintain the desired effects.
2. Communicate Openly: Share your specific needs and stressors with your acupuncturist. They can tailor your treatment to address your unique concerns.
3. Self-Care: In addition to acupuncture, remember to engage in self-care practices like healthy eating, regular exercise, and meditation.
4. Stay Hydrated: The winter months can be dehydrating. Drink plenty of water to maintain your overall well-being.

Wishing You a Balanced Winter Season

This winter, embrace the power of acupuncture to fortify your health and manage holiday stress. The Acupuncture Together team wishes you a season filled with joy, warmth, and serenity.

In health,
The Acupuncture Together Team

 

 

Dear Valued Patient,

In this post, we delve into the remarkable benefits of acupuncture for migraines, specifically focusing on women’s health. Migraines affect millions of women worldwide, and acupuncture offers a natural and effective solution. Read on to discover how this ancient healing practice can transform your life.

✨ The Magic of Acupuncture for Migraines ✨

Migraines are more than just severe headaches; they can disrupt your daily life, causing intense pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. While conventional treatments exist, many come with side effects and limited efficacy. Acupuncture, on the other hand, presents a gentle and holistic approach that targets the root causes of migraines.

🌺 Tailored Treatment for Women’s Health 🌺

Did you know that hormonal fluctuations can trigger migraines in women? Acupuncture recognizes the intricate connection between hormones and migraines, offering customized treatment plans that address individual needs. By harmonizing the body’s energy flow, or Qi, acupuncture aims to restore balance and alleviate migraines at their source.

🌟 Benefits of Acupuncture for Migraines in Women 🌟

1. Natural Pain Relief: Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing relief from migraine pain without relying on medication.
2. Hormonal Balance: By focusing on specific acupoints, acupuncture regulates hormone levels, reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines associated with menstrual cycles or menopause.
3. Stress Reduction: Stress is a known trigger for migraines. Acupuncture promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, helping to prevent and manage stress-related migraines.
4. Improved Sleep: Quality sleep is vital for migraine prevention. Acupuncture sessions promote better sleep patterns, enhancing overall well-being and reducing the likelihood of migraines.
5. Personalized Approach: Acupuncture recognizes that each woman’s migraine experience is unique. Practitioners work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans, ensuring the most effective results.

🌼 Real Stories: Women Empowered by Acupuncture 🌼

“I had suffered from debilitating migraines for years, and medication only provided temporary relief. Acupuncture has been a game-changer for me. The personalized treatments have significantly reduced the frequency and severity of my migraines. I finally have my life back!” – Sarah, 36.

“Being a working mother, migraines were a constant struggle. Acupuncture has not only relieved my migraines but has also helped me manage stress better. I feel more energized and focused, which has improved both my work and family life.” – Emily, 42.

💆‍♀️ Finding an Acupuncturist 💆‍♀️

When considering acupuncture for migraines, it’s essential to consult a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. Seek recommendations from trusted sources or consult with your healthcare provider to find a qualified practitioner who specializes in women’s health and migraines.

Remember, each person’s experience with acupuncture may vary. It’s essential to communicate openly with your acupuncturist and discuss your treatment goals and expectations.

✨ Embrace a Migraine-Free Life with Acupuncture! ✨

Say goodbye to the burden of migraines and embrace a life of wellness and vitality. Acupuncture offers a safe, natural, and empowering approach for women seeking relief. Experience the transformative benefits and discover a world without migraines.

Wishing you health and balance,

The Acupuncture Together Team

• One aspect is that acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system. When stimulated with acupuncture needles, the CNS (Central Nervous System) releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. Chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins help the body return to a state of balance (homeostasis) physically and emotionally.
• When acupuncture was introduced to the West, in the 1970s, it has been rejected and scrutinized by the Western medical field. This has prevented researchers and academic institutions from incorporating acupuncture and herbal medicine into the mainstream medical system.
• In time, more people turned to acupuncture and herbal medicine reporting results where Western medicine did not have an answer for complex cases. In the last 20 years, this has created a higher demand for research to explain how acupuncture works.
• A  research study from 2018 identified the difficulties of researching acupuncture due to the unfamiliarity of Traditional Chinese Medicine medical terminology, a lack of specificity of acupuncture point locations, different needle insertion technics, different treatment approaches and anatomical structures of meridians.
• In a systematic review of physiological reasoning from acupuncture, a total of  79 clinical trials were identified and examined in 2005.
  • Out of the 79 trials, 53 (67%) trials exhibit a physiologic basis for acupuncture: 33 (62%) proposed neurochemical mechanism, 2 (4%) reported segmental nervous system effect, 6 (11%) studies found autonomic nervous system regulation, 3 (6%) found local effects, 5 (9%) affects the brain, and 5 (9%) other effects.
• Demonstrating the efficacy and mechanism of Acupuncture is no simple task yet year after year more information helps us understand. The more research is undertaken, the more you will see acupuncture as part of integrative care plans.
•  The National Institute of Health research has shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea, addiction, headaches, low back pain, and so much more!

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent, L.Ac.

Dear Valued Patients,

We are excited to share some valuable information about dry needling and acupuncture.

At Acupuncture Together, we have always been committed to providing you with the highest quality holistic care and alternative healing solutions.

One such care is dry needling, which is often misunderstood as being separate from acupuncture. In reality, dry needling is a form of acupuncture therapy that focuses on releasing muscular trigger points and relieving pain and tension, it can also be referred to as orthopedic acupuncture.

So, what exactly is dry needling? Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points in the body, just like traditional acupuncture. However, unlike acupuncture, dry needling primarily targets muscle tissue and is based on Western medical principles. It works by stimulating the trigger points or knots in muscles, fascia, and connective tissues to promote healing and alleviate pain.

At Acupuncture Together, our skilled practitioners integrate dry-needling techniques into our comprehensive approach to acupuncture. By combining the best aspects of traditional Chinese medicine with evidence-based dry needling, we offer you a well-rounded and effective treatment experience.

Here are some key benefits of dry needling:

1. Pain Relief: Dry needling is particularly effective in reducing acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain by targeting trigger points. It helps release tension, improve circulation, and restore proper muscle function.
2. Improved Range of Motion: By addressing muscular imbalances and reducing tightness, dry needling can enhance flexibility and range of motion. It can be especially beneficial for athletes and individuals recovering from injuries.
3. Faster Recovery: Dry needling promotes tissue healing by increasing blood flow, stimulating the release of endorphins, and reducing inflammation. This can significantly accelerate your recovery process.
4. Complementary Treatment: When combined with traditional acupuncture, dry needling can enhance the overall effectiveness of your treatment plan. It allows us to address both the energetic imbalances and the physical aspects of your health.

At Acupuncture Together, our experienced practitioners are trained in both acupuncture and dry needling. We carefully evaluate your condition and create personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, improved mobility, or enhanced well-being, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Remember, your health and comfort are our top priorities. If you have any questions or concerns about dry needling or any other aspect of your treatment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff. We’re always here to provide guidance and ensure your experience at Acupuncture Together is exceptional.

Thank you for choosing Acupuncture Together as your trusted partner in holistic healing. We look forward to continuing to serve you with excellence.

Wishing you vibrant health and happiness,

The Acupuncture Together Team

CLARIFYING MYTHS & MISINFORMATION

  Patients regularly contact us to inquire about the difference between acupuncture and dry needling. Here is a document published by the American Society of Acupuncturists that will help you gain clarity. 

 

 

The-Relationship-Between-Acupuncture-and-Dry-Needling-Clarifying-Myths-and-Misinformation

How can acupuncture help with anxiety and depression?

It is normal for humans to feel down or nervous at times! It becomes problematic when the mood lasts for an extended amount of time and interferes with everyday functioning. According to the CDC, 1 out of every 6 adults will have depression at some time in their life. Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder. In Chinese medicine, mental health disorders are a result of disharmony within the five organs. Each organ houses an emotion and when the qi becomes stagnated (usually through external events, disease or inner self-critical tendencies) the emotions can get stuck. A placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of body needle acupuncture in 43 patients with minor depression and 13 patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The study found that after 10 acupuncture treatments, patients showed a significantly larger clinical improvement compared to the placebo group, stating: “needle acupuncture leads to a significant clinical improvement as well as to a remarkable reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients with minor depression or with generalized anxiety disorders”. A powerful acupuncture point used for anxiety is Pericardium 6. It translates to “inner gate” referring to the physical pericardium, a membranous sac that surrounds the heart within our body. This point helps calm the mind, open and ease the heart, and relieve nausea. For depression, Gallbladder 13, “root spirit”, calms the mind, settles the spirit, and relieves anxiety deriving from constant worry and fixed thoughts. Managing anxiety and depression takes a tool kit of behaviors. Lifestyle changes you might want to make include: individual, group, or art therapy, physical activity such as cardio and weight lifting, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, cease drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Treatment plans depend on how the individual’s body responds to acupuncture. In general 1-2 treatments for 6 weeks is a good starting point. Herbal medicines that may be prescribed for anxiety include Evergreen- Calm, it promotes the free flow of qi and blood while nourishing our center. For depression, Evergreen- Shine is designed to release the build up of qi, blood, food, and phlegm to let them flow more easily throughout the body. By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent