Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:

• Neurological conditions such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, storke, facial and intercostal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, noises in the ears, dizziness, and Meniere's disease.
• Cardiovascular disorders such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and muscle cramps.
• Respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinustitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.
• Digestive system disorders such as hiccough, spasms of the esophagus, gastic and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, hiatu hernia syndrome, flatulence, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, food allergies, liver and gallbladder disorders, and weight control.
• Urogenital disorders such as cystitis, prostatitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
• Gynecological and obstetric disorders such as premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse of the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, and morning sickness.
• Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne scar tisuue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.
• Eye conditions such as visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes, conjunctivitis, simple cataracts, myopia in children, and central retinitis.
• Musckuloskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, shoulder and neck pain, cerviobrachial syndrome, 'frozen shoulder', and 'tennis elbow'.
• Sporting injuries such as sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.
• Psychological conditions such as depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.
  

The needles used are very fine and thin.  Practitioners are trained in painless needle insertion, and the desired sensation you will feel can be either a dull, heavy, distended, or even numb feeling at the site of insertion.  When this is achieved, it is an indication to the practitioner the needle has come in contact with the body's natural energy source.

It is California State Law that all needles to be used during treatment are prepacked, labelled for single use only and meet the requirements of federal regulations.  After use, they are disposed in accordance with state and local law.  Licensed Acupuncturists are fully trained in Clean Needle Technique to insure safety to patients.  It is important to notify your practitioner if you have any other medical conditions, or have any electrical devices implanted as there can be serious side effects if certain modalities are employed during treatment.

Because Asian medicine looks at the body as a whole, treating the mind, body, and spirit, the practitioner will do a thorough intake, asking questions that may not be related to what you came in for.  This gives the practitioner a well rounded picture of the case which will be used to come up with a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan.  By doing so, the practitioner will be able to treat the root cause of the disease, and also relieve the symptoms you are feeling.  Once this achieved, the practitioner will explain to you the diagnosis, what kinds of therapy will be used, etc.  The intake alone can take up to 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the case.  After the intake, the practitioner will insert the needles, and let you relax for 20 - 45 minuts, and will perform any other modalities depending on your case.

It is difficult to say how many treatments it will take to relieve symptoms, but most people respond favorably after one or two treatments.  Since everybody is so different and responds differently to treatments, some may take only one treatment, while others may take more than a couple of treatments.  The severity of the case is also a significant factor.  Your practitioner will discuss the prognosis with you at the time of your appointment, and will monitor your progress with simple diagnostic tools fuch as tongue and pulse readings at every appointment.

It is extremely important that you have eaten before the treatment, and have had adequate rest.  Make sure you notify your practitioner if you have a bleeding disorder or on blood thinning medications, have a pacemaker, or if you are pregnant.  Please wear comfortable clothes, but gowns and drapes are provided if necessary.