Acupuncture
One of the fundamental concepts of acupuncture is that of qi (pronounced chee). There are many different ways to translate this Chinese word into English, but none of them really capture its core meaning. Qi has been called energy, life force, essence, flow, or being. It exists in all things. Hundreds of years ago, Chinese and other Asian doctors began to map out the defined pathways of the qi that flows through the body, as well as the access points along those pathways that can affect qi. The science and art of acupuncture consists of choosing the best pathways and access points to address the patient’s issues, and then using the needles to free up the flow where it’s blocked and redirect it to where it’s lacking. Practitioners study and practice for years to learn how to do this effectively and accurately.
Since acupuncture works with the natural energy of the human body, it can address issues on many levels: physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual. And since Chinese Medicine does not see a separation of mind and body, it can often work on more than one of these levels at a time.
I practice both Traditional and 5 Element style of acupuncture. Traditional Acupuncture is based on fundamentals dating back hundreds of years, and I find that it’s more clinically and medically oriented. 5 Element is a more recent style, and is more energetically oriented. While both are effective, I find that the 5 Element style is especially well-adapted to address emotional and spiritual issues. I’ll always work co-operatively with you to answer your questions and determine the right approach for you.