What is acupuncture?

The practice of Chinese medicine has been practiced and refined over nearly two thousand years. Acupuncture is a treatment that involves the insertion of incredibly thin, sterile, flexible needles into specific points in the body along defined pathways. These pathways, called meridians in traditional Chinese medicine, are considered to each regulate specific functions of the body. Stimulating acupuncture points increases the production of certain neurotransmitters, releases endorphins, improves circulation, and helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system which controls all of the bodily functions that are carried out unconsciously (including respiration, heart rate, and digestion). Needles may also be inserted into trigger points, or points of musculoskeletal pain. Treatments that incorporate Chinese medicine for pain relief have been shown in studies to be more effective than other types of treatment.

Some of the issues that acupuncture can address include:

• Anxiety and stress
• Inflammation
• Digestive disorders
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Respiratory disorders
• Immunity and Auto-Immunity
• Headaches
• Musculoskeletal pain (including back pain and neck pain)
• Neuropathic pain
• Dental pain
• Arthritis
• Menstrual cramps
• PCOS
• Menopause symptoms
• Headaches

What types of acupuncture are available at Austin Quan Yin?

There are many different traditions in acupuncture, each with their own methods and techniques. The Austin Quan Yin staff has been trained in a wide range of both traditional and modern acupuncture styles including Tan’s Balance Method, Japanese Meridian Therapy, Korean Hand Therapy, Auriculotherapy, and Battlefield acupuncture.

Auriculotherapy views the ear as a microsystem of the body, and is able to target with extreme precision points of musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, because of the number of nerves that have branches, which connect with the ear (including the vagus nerve), points on the ear can be used to affect the nervous system, stimulating a wide variety of functions within the body including neurotransmitter release.

Battlefield Acupuncture is an even more recent advance in acupuncture techniques, developed in 2001. Based on the principles of Auriculotherapy, Battlefield Acupuncture has gained widespread acceptance in the military as an effective and efficient treatment for severe pain. The needles in Battlefield Acupuncture are pinhead-sized semi-permanent needles that are left in the ear for a week, continuing the stimulation of select points to relieve pain in the body, and extending the effects of the treatment.

As a general rule, the practitioners of Austin Quan Yin prefer methods which use fewer needles, and a gentler touch than may be found in Traditional Chinese Medicine while having the same efficacy. This makes treatments more relaxing, and is a great option for those who are trying acupuncture for the first time.

What is e-stim and how can it improve my health?

Electrical stimulation, or e-stim, is a treatment that attaches a small electrode to the top of an acupuncture needle, providing mild electrical pulses to stimulate your muscle or nerve tissue. It can help to strengthen and repair tissues that have become weakened, atrophied, or shortened due to disease or injury. It has been clinically proven to relieve pain, and can help you recover from an injury, illness, or even a rigorous workout regimen.