Ancient Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been practiced for over 3000 years; acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points along the meridian system covering the entire body to promote the smooth movement of vital energy; blood circulation, and lymphatic circulation.From aches and pains to complex internal conditions, Acupuncture can naturally and holistically address your health concerns.
Acupuncture works by:
Acupuncture needle insertion: stimulates a local and centralized reaction. The local reaction involves sensory neurons in the skin being stimulated. The central reaction occurs when the signals reach the brain and spinal cord.
Central effect of needling: both the central and peripheral nervous systems are effected. Central nervous system includes brain, spinal cord, HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis. Peripheral Nervous system stimulates voluntary muscles movement; nerves, smooth muscles; stress/emergency response.
Acupuncture points: points are located in areas with higher concentrations of superficial nerves; blood vessels; neuromuscular attachments where vessels and nerves penetrate muscles fascia.
Signal stimulus: the stimulus from acupuncture needling creates a cascade of signaling throughout the connective tissue involving the blood, nerves, and immune system.
Acupuncture stimulates the body to heal itself; it influences;
The nervous system; muscles nerves, internal organs.
Cardiovascular system; blood flow; distribution of nutrients; hormones.
Endocrine system; Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis regulation; major pathway for homeostatic regulation.
Immune system: strengthens the immune function of the body.
The first textbook of Chinese Botanical medicine was documented 2000 years ago and continues to be foundational for pharmacological and botanical reference for Chinese Herbal Medicine and for our practice. Our patients have access to a wide range of Chinese formulas in patent pill forms that is recommended by our knowledgeable acupuncturist as seen fit to complement the acupuncture treatments.
At Peak Life Acupuncture; it is believed that most the ailments and diseases experienced in adulthood have their root cause in diet and nutritional choices. We are proud to introduce our patients to foods that are high in natural enzymes, not genetically modified, and whole food choices to better help patients on their healing journey. In our experience; most ailments could be addressed by some simple dietary changes, along with acupuncture treatments.
Traditionally cupping is used to promote blood circulation to address muscular pain and help to detox; as well as fighting cold and flu. Both fire cupping and suction cupping are offered at Peak Life Acupuncture and are used as seen fit for patients’ benefits. Physical stimulation is one of the mechanisms to produce a therapeutic effect of cupping. During the cupping, the cups are firmly attached to the skin surface, tract the nerves, muscles, blood vessels and skin glands, which can cause a series of neuroendocrine responses, and regulate vasodilation and vasoconstriction function and vascular permeability, so that local blood circulation is significantly improved. The negative pressure of cupping quickly causes local hyperemia and blood congestion, and hemolytic phenomenon causing partial release of hemoglobin of red blood cells to create a positive stimulation to the body which can create double regulation to the tissues and organ’s function under the regulation of the nervous system. At the mean-time, it can improve the phagocytosis of white blood cells, increase skin sensitivity to external changes and tolerance, and thereby enhance the body’s immune response. The negative pressure inside the cup literally lifts and separates the tissue underneath the cup; the addition of active movement of the tissues while the cup is applied may further assist the release of the interfaces between the soft tissues such as skin, fascia, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Where there is dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors, and toxins present in the body, cupping can leave marks or bruises which indicates that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface; the bruising should go away in 2-weeks’ time.
Electrical stimulation acupuncture reduces inflammation and releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers). when small alligator clips are connected to specific acupuncture points and the 9-volt battery operated machine is turned on, it conducts a micro current through those clips stimulating those acu-points. It is mostly used for treating pain and muscle tightness; it can also be used for depression, anxiety and mood disorders; and various internal disorders.
This can help create a self-healing process without the need for medications. This form of therapy is extremely useful in reducing pain, inflammation, curing edema, and spasms.