Acupuncture & Wellness Center


		The Acupuncture & Wellness Center Pendleton Square 386 West Main Street Northborough, MA 01532 508.414.8363 The Acupuncture and Wellness Center is a relaxing healing center offering several holistic modalities, including acupuncture, several types of massage and shiatsu. All of these modalities support the body's own healing mechanisms. They improve overall health to help you feel and function better. Our practitioners are skilled, gentle and treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.

*Have a particular question you would like answered?* *Our professional staff is happy to help please contact us.* *Q: What is acupuncture?* A: Chinese Medicine encompasses several healing arts. Acupuncture is one of them. Acupuncture uses a map of over 1,000 points on the body to treat a wide variety of ills. Mostly, treatment consists of the insertion of fine needles into specific points. Cupping and moxabustion are also common modalities. Although acupuncture is thousands of years old, recent decades have brought a flourishing of research and newly refined techniques, improving this ancient medical art even further. *Q: What can acupuncture treat?* A: Acupuncture is recognized by The World Health Organization for its effectiveness in treating a wide variety of common disorders, such as: 1) Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Toothaches, earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis 2) Respiratory Disorders Colds, flus, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema 3) Gastrointestinal Disorders Food allergies, nausea, morning sickness, indigestion, reflux, diarrhea, constipation 4) Circulatory Disorders Hypertension, angina pectoris 5) Urogenital Disorders Cystitis, stress incontinence, neurogenic bladder, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy 6) Gynecological Disorders Menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal syndrome 7) Musculoskeletal Disorders Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia 8) Psychoemotional & Neurological Disorders Depression, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostals neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus *Q: How does acupuncture work?* A: Western medicine is trying to identify how acupuncture works. We know through MRI's and other diagnostic techniques, that certain acupuncture points stimulate specific parts of the brain, and that they trigger the release of neurotransmitters. Meanwhile, Chinese Medicine has ancient, extensive and comprehensive theories based on the concept of qi. Qi, a term that does not translate directly into English, is a subtle form of energy. Essential to life, qi nourishes and animates the body, flowing through a web of channels that infuse and unite the body. When qi is strong and flowing well, there is health. When qi flows poorly, there is pain and ill health. It is the job of acupuncture to balance and re-establish the free flow of qi. *Q: Is acupuncture safe?* A: Yes. By and large, acupuncture is homeostatic, with very few contraindications. By law, the needles are sterilize, individually packed and single use, virtually eliminating the chance of infection or contagion. *Q: Does acupuncture hurt?* A: Acupuncture needles are generally about as thick as a hair. Their insertion is rarely bothersome, and once they are inserted, most people cannot feel them at all. It is common for people to fall asleep during treatments. *Q: How many treatments will I need?* A: The answer to that depends on how long your condition has existed, and how severe it is. It is common for a series of 5-10 treatments to resolve many chronic problems. Some more severe or degenerative conditions call for many treatments over time. And sometimes the fastest solution is to treat a problem 2-3 times per week for 15-18 treatments. Most acupuncturists combine acupuncture with dietary recommendations, exercises or Chinese herbs to augment success. *Q: Are there different acupuncture styles?* A: Yes. All acupuncture is based on the same theories, codified over 2,000 years ago in texts that are still revered for their wisdom and lucidity. Since then, styles have evolved in much the way that languages do, as acupuncture has spread through China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Europe and America. *Q: What kind of training do acupuncturists receive?* A: Acupuncture is a three-year Master's Degree culminating in a national exam. In Massachusetts, acupuncturists are licensed by the state Board of Medicine. Continuing education is required to maintain that license. *Q: How should I prepare for receiving an acupuncture treatment?* A: Here are some simple suggestions: 1) Wear loose clothing that is easily adjusted so points can be reached. 2) Do not come in for a treatment overly hungry, full, fatigued or upset. 3) Relax during your treatment, and ask any questions you have so you can get the biggest benefit possible. 4) If you are uncomfortable, tell your practitioner. 5) Expect to feel better! Acupuncture works!
	The Acupuncture & Wellness Center Pendleton Square 386 West Main Street Northborough, MA 01532 508.414.8363