Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the core branches of Chinese medicine. It involves the use of very fine, single-use needles placed at specific points on the body to support balance within the channel system. When the flow in these channels becomes disrupted, symptoms like pain, fatigue, or emotional strain can show up. Acupuncture helps restore movement and regulation so the body can shift back toward a more balanced state.

In addition to acupuncture, I use several hands-on techniques that come from the same medical tradition. These include tui na (a therapeutic form of bodywork), cupping (which uses suction to increase circulation and reduce stagnation), and gua sha (a scraping technique that improves local circulation, reduces inflammation, and supports tissue repair). These approaches are chosen based on what your body presents with on a given day.

There’s a saying in Chinese medicine: “Where there is free flow, there is no pain; where there is pain, there is no free flow.” That’s the principle guiding our work—identifying where the system is stuck and helping it move again.

Because the channels are interconnected throughout the body, needles are often placed far from the area of concern. For example, digestive issues might be addressed with points near the elbows, or headaches treated through points on the feet.

Though we’ll focus on your main concern, treatments often have system-wide effects. Many people notice shifts in sleep, digestion, mood, mental clarity, and a general sense of wellbeing.

Acupuncture works by helping the nervous system shift out of fight-or-flight and into a calmer, more regulated state. It influences neurotransmitters like serotonin, which helps with things like mood, anxiety, and even addictive patterns. It also affects oxytocin, which plays a role in settling the body into a parasympathetic — or "rest and digest" — mode. That shift is key when we’re dealing with stress-related issues, because most of us are running on adrenaline all day. Acupuncture helps ease muscle tension, support digestion, calm the mind, and regulate things like heart rate, breathing, and even reproductive function. It also improves circulation, supports immune function, and helps the body respond to inflammation or lingering pain by reminding it how to heal.