Wellcare and Acupuncture

    Eastern Medicine’s approach to illness looks at the whole person, including your body, mind and spirit. The energy or Qi (“chee”) travels through the body along 14 pathways called meridians. Sometimes this movement can be too fast, slow or stuck. By stimulating key points in the body an acupuncturist seeks to restore balance to the normal energy flow (Qi) and, consequently, relieve pain or treat disease.

    It is well documented that the stimulation of acupuncture points affects the nervous system by releasing endorphins, enkephalins and seratonin - chemicals that have pain-relieving anti-stress properties.

    Tiny, sterile needles - typically the width of a hair - are inserted to certain key points.  Patients generally complain of little or no discomfort from the needles. A common introduction is a feeling of heaviness or numbness at the insertion sites.

    Alternative Techniques

    Natalia may also include the following techniques as an adjunct to your treatment to enhance your healing:

    • Cupping - Using cups to create suction which relieves "stagnation" or pain. Similar to a deep massage.
    • Gwa Sha - Using an oil and rounded Chinese soup spoon for relief from the common cold and stiff, achy muscles.
    • Magnets - Creates a flow of energy: Using your body's own positive and negative poles to relieve pain.
    • Chinese Massage (Tui Na) - stimulating acupressure points and various styles of hand manipulation.

    Acupuncture is proven to be an effective treatment for nearly 4 dozen common conditions including: 

    • Digestive Issues (abdominal pain, irritable bowel, indigestion, diarrhea/constipation)
    • Pain (back, shoulder, neck, arthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, headache/migraine)
    • Stress (anxiety, insomnia, ADD/HD, depression)
    • Gynecological disorders (PMS, painful or irregular menstruation, infertility, menopause)
    • Numbness
    • Auto-immune disorders
    • Addiction
    • Chronic Fatigue

    At Wellcare, acupuncture may be used as part of an integrated approach to patient care or as a stand-alone service, depending upon your needs.

    See more on Natalia Epstein, L.Ac.