Acupuncture is the painless insertion of sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points on or near the surface of the skin. These points - called acupuncture points - have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to treat a wide variety of illnesses. There are over 2,000 different acupuncture points on the body, including those situated along the limbs, chest, abdomen, back, spine, ears, face, and scalp.
Acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity and increased nerve enervation that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. They work by stimulating the body to heal itself. The mapping of the acupuncture points is ever-changing, with some being discovered thousands of years ago and others recently by doctors in the United States, Europe, and China.
Depending on the condition being treated, 4 to 20 needles are typically used. Once placed, the needles are retained for a varied length of time, which is most commonly between 15 and 45 minutes. The number of acupuncture treatments in a course of therapy varies based upon the disease treated and the overall heath of the individual.
At the Southwest Center for Oriental Medicine, our highly trained practitioners only use sterilized single use needles. Every treatment is approached with focus and gentle care to provide a pain-free, relaxing experience. Our patients feel so comfortable during the treatments that many even fall asleep.
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