Common reasons to come to acupuncture include:
- Preventive health care
- Anxiety, depression and PTSD
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Acute and chronic pain
- Digestive disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chemotherapy and radiation side effects
- Stroke and traumatic brain injuries
- Pregnancy symptoms, women's health, and infertility

Acupuncture

Moxibustion

Massage

Cupping

Herbal Formulas

Nutritional Counseling
But what is actually happening?
That’s a big question.
We are just starting to understand why acupuncture works on a biochemical level. We know that it has an effect on the connective tissue where the needles are placed as well as systemic effects throughout the body. Acupuncture can affect cell regeneration and growth, inflammation, your central nervous system and more.
What acupuncturists study and work with is called “qi.” (氣) It is often translated as “energy” but that does not fully capture everything that qi is. It is the substances of your body and the unseen forces that manage those substances and the way they interact. Injury and illness are caused by an imbalance in your body or mind. Acupuncture and the other modalities practiced by acupuncturists are meant to nudge your body back into balance. Sometimes there is a quick fix but just as often it can take some time to reharmonize so a commitment to yourself and the process is helpful.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a history several thousand years old. A respect and understanding of East Asian culture is important when delving into the how and why of acupuncture. These modalities started in a time when there were no microscopes and through years of observation a system of medicine was developed that has stood the test of time.
Book Recommendations
If you want to dive deeper into traditional Chinese Medicine these are some great introductory books.
The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine by Daniel Keown
Who Can Ride the Dragon?: An Exploration of the Cultural Roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine by Zhang Yu Han and Ken Rose
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted Kaptchuck
These are some of my favorite (mostly) healthy cookbooks. The first two have some really good explanations of Chinese nutritional theory.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, and Mika Ono
The Chinese Medicine Cookbook: Nourishing Recipes to Heal and Thrive by Stacey Isaacs
50 Best Plants on the Planet: The Most Nutrient-Dense Fruits and Vegetables, in 150 Delicious Recipes by Cathy Thomas
The Seaweed Cookbook by Xa Milne