Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine and has been in practice for over 3,000 years. It involves placing very fine, sterile, needles at specific acupuncture points along the body. The goal of needle insertion is to promote homeostasis by balancing out the qi of the body. Qi (pronounced "chee") is often equated to the energy that flows through our bodies and influences our wellbeing.
Qi flows through meridians like an invisible current to nourish and support cells, muscles, organs, etc. Stress and injury, among other things, can cause qi to become stuck in the meridians, leading the body away from homeostasis and making it more susceptible to disease. From a Western standpoint, acupuncture has been shown to influence the nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and immune system. Acupuncture stimulates the release of neurotransmitters and hormones, influences blood flow and increases immune functioning.
Treatment options
Acupuncture is available in 30, 60 and 90 minute appointments. A 60 minute session is the standard for most people.
30min |
Short and sweet option for ONE focus area
60min |
Traditional length treatment for a follow up appointment for 1-2 focus areas with adjunctive therapies
90min |
Great for complex issues, multiple issues or if you just want more time to relax
Cupping Appointment | 15min |
15 minute cupping session to relieve tension in one body area. *Cupping cannot be done on areas with lots of body hair
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture | 75min |
Treatment begins with a facial steam to open up the sinuses along with a cupping and guasha treatment for the back and neck muscles. You will then receive a steamed towel for your face and neck followed by light therapy and a facial and body acupuncture treatment to quiet your nervous system and lift and tone the muscles of your face. The session will end with a nourishing facial oil and facial cupping/guasha.
* Contact for pricing
Adjunctive Therapies
The following are additional therapies that you might receive during your acupuncture session.
orthopedic acupuncture
Orthopedic acupuncture is typically used when there is pain from a musculoskeletal condition. This method uses medical acupuncture techniques such as trigger point and motor point therapy and e-stim to relieve muscular tension and alleviate pain.
CUPPING, GUA SHA & TUINA
Cupping, Gua Sha (scraping technique) and Tuina (Chinese massage) are all adjunctive techniques used to improve circulation, release fascia and promote healing. Cupping and Gua Sha are also very effective at the onset of a cold or flu to prevent progression of the sickness. Facial cupping and guasha are done with a much gentler technique than on the body and are great to relieve tension in the facial muscles, stimulate collagen production and clear the sinues.
MOXAbustion
Moxa, or mugwort, is a traditional Chinese herb that provides deep warmth and nourishment to acupuncture points.
Herbal medicine
If interested, Annie may offer recommendations for patent herbal formulas for conditions such as allergies, cold/flu, menopause and digestive issues.
Contact: Annie Cannon | anniecannonacu@gmail.com | 207-337-5107
Acupuncture FAQs
IS acupuncture SAFE?
Yes! Acupuncture has been used safely for 3,000 years to promote and maintain health without the use of drugs and surgery. The FDA requires that acupuncturists follow strict guidelines and use only sterile, single-use needles. All acupuncturists are certified in Clean Needle Technique by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
DOES acupuncture HURT?
Needles are typically associated with pain, so it is natural to expect acupuncture to hurt. However, you could fit close to 10 acupuncture needles inside the tip of one hypodermic needle which makes for a much gentler sensation than your average shot. Some points do tend to be more sensitive than others, but most patients report a sensation of tingling or heaviness, rather than pain, upon needle insertion. Acupuncture treatments can be quite relaxing and you may even find yourself dozing off during a session.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Every body is different and acupuncture is a very individualized medicine, so this can vary greatly from person to person. Factors that influence number of treatments include patient age, chronicity and severity of the condition, and patient compliance. Typically, acute and less severe conditions will respond faster than chronic and more severe disorders. On average it is recommended that a new patient come in for treatment 1-2 times a week for 6-8 weeks, after which we will evaluate the progression of the condition and modify the treatment plan as needed. Acupuncture works best as a preventative medicine, so the eventual goal is for patients to come in monthly or every other month for health maintenance.
Do you take insurance?
Annie is an out of network (OON) acupuncture provider. We will not submit claims but would be happy to provide you with a superbill that you may submit for reimbursement. Please inform Annie before your appointment if you will require a superbill.
what should I expect during my first treatment?
The first session will consist of a comprehensive intake where we will discuss the main issue you would like treatment for, as well as additional health information that will aid in diagnosis. You will then rest with the needles and may receive any number of adjunctive techniques. It is suggested that you wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing to your appointment if possible.
WHAT CONDITIONS can acupuncture TREAT?
Labor Induction
Labor Pain
Low Back Pain
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual Irregularities
Menstrual Pain
Migraine
Neck Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
PMS
PTSD
Sciatica
Shoulder Pain
Smoking Cessation
Stress
Stroke
Tennis Elbow
TMJ
And many more!
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common Cold
Constipation
Depression
Diarrhea
Dry eye
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Headache
Hypertension
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Infertility
Insomnia
Knee Pain