Wendy Stedeford MSAOM, L. Ac.
About Acupuncture....
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is both a name and a modality of health care. Most people know that an acupuncturist puts needles into the body to help facilitate a change in health either physically, emotionally/mentally or all of the above! However, placing needles in the body is just one "tool" in an acupuncturist's toolbox . When you go for a visit to your acupuncturist here are some of the other tools your acupuncturist may use:
* Herbal medicine. It may be important to address your chief concern(s) with a combination of needling and herbs or just herbal medicine. You and your acupuncturist can discuss the option.
* Nutritional counseling. Based upon traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, changing what you eat or how you eat and when you eat it may have a profound impact on positively changing your health.
* Massage. Traditional Chinese medical massage is known as Tui Na (pronounced Tway naw). It is a more vigorous and issue-centered massage than the well-known Swedish massage.
* Moxabustion. Another way to facilitate change in the body is to apply mugwort (an herbaceous plant) in various ways.
* Cupping. This is the use of either glass, plastic or bamboo cups on the body to bring about positive change in health.
* Auricular acupuncture. Also known as ear acupuncture. Your practitioner may exclusively practice ear acupuncture or may use it in conjunction with body modalities. At Wendy Stedeford Acupuncture both are used.
* Please know that there are always alternatives to using needles. If the thought of a needle sends you running in the opposite direction be aware that acupuncture needles differ from the types of needles used for shots. Acupuncture needles are solid and very thin, sometimes as thin as a single human hair! The acupuncture needles are used only once and are then disposed of properly as medical waste. If this isn't reassuring enough, talk to your acupuncturist about the other tools that they have which are less invasive than needles. We're happy to accommodate you at Wendy Stedeford Acupuncture!