Acupuncture

is a needle therapy in which extremely thin, solid, hair-like, disposable needles are inserted into the body to facilitate its own natural healing.  At Acacia Acupuncture, we use an integrated style of needling taking into account the needs of the individual, condition being treated, and location on the body. We incorporate three basic styles:

 

Myofascial Trigger Point Needling

Often inappropriately referred to as dry needling, this method uses acupuncture needles to stimulate muscle, fascia, and connective tissues located by careful palpation of points that cause local or referred pain when pressed. This practice of trigger point therapy is perhaps the oldest needle therapy in recorded history, dating back to China's time of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic in the first century BC.

 

Japanese Acupuncture

Although all styles of acupuncture use palpation, Japanese acupuncture tends to place more focus on evaluation and treatment of meridian deficiency and excess. The Japanese approach is characterized by more shallow insertions and gentle technique, usually using needles specially engineered to increase "slipperiness" and ease of insertion.  A much milder form of stimulation is used with little to no discomfort making Japanese acupuncture well suited for the young or sensitive patient.

 

Chinese Acupuncture

This approach to acupuncture uses needles that are typically slightly larger gauge and not engineered to be as "slippery" as Japanese needles. Traditional Chinese acupuncture usually strives for a stronger pulling or grabbing sensation called "de qi" and is effective with many musculoskeletal conditions.