Your initial evaluation and treatment plan are conducted in a private room. These rooms allow for extended time with your acupuncturist, visual and audible privacy, and a comfortable setting for acupuncture treatment. Private rooms are necessary for some treatment plans and can also be requested if preferred.

The acu-lounge is furnished with heated zero-gravity reclining chairs. The acu-lounge allows for treatments to be received on a more frequent basis when this is needed for acute or severe pain and other illnesses. It is incorporated into the treatment plan when treatment is needed more than once a week and the lounge environment is appropriate for the acupuncture treatment that is needed. It is also an acupuncture wellness care option for individuals that are not suffering from any specific ailments and find that including acupuncture as part of their self-care regimen results in an improved sense of well being and productivity.

Acupuncture is a science in which stimulation with an acupuncture needle of the patient’s body elicits the patient’s body to relax, reorganize and repair. Over thousands of years physicians have developed numerous systems and theories regarding how to best elicit this response for a patient. The use of acupuncture points solely found on the limbs, head, and ears is commonly referred to as distal acupuncture. This is the preferred acupuncture strategy at the clinic because of the immediate response that can be elicited from the treatment and an assurance that a therapeutic effect has been elicited. Using distal acupuncture points also refers to not placing needles in the already aggravated or painful area of the body which is another advantage of this technique. The foundational theories for how and why it works can be found in the I Ching and Ba Gua and utilize both meridian physiology and mirroring and imaging phenomena. The results speak for them selves when immediate relief is experienced.

This technique involves attaching electrical stimulation to the acupuncture needles. The stimulation is similar to TENS. Many people that have experienced chronic pain or pain rehabilitation are familiar with TENS therapy. Unlike TENS, electro-acupuncture runs a current deeper through the tissue via the acupuncture needles which can result in more complete pain relief and tissue repair. Different electrical frequencies have different targeted effects. Often the sensation is described as a pulsating or vibrating sensation. The intensity of the electricity is carefully controlled so as to result in a comfortable experience for the client.

Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to an agreed upon foundation of Chinese Medicine human and disease physiology and anatomy. It is a standardization of the diversity of Chinese Medical theories that have developed through specific scholarly lineages, geographic areas, and families. It is the most commonly practiced form of Chinese medicine and acupuncture practiced around the world and is the educational foundation for any US acupuncturist seeking a health care license in their state.

Cupping therapy has origins in ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures and has gained popularity since athletes such as Michael Phelps and Hollywood stars including Gwenyth Paltrow were seen with the distinct cupping marks that can be left behind after receiving treatment. Cupping involves placing glass or plastic cups on the skin to create suction. This suction increases blood flow, promotes healing, and alleviates pain in the affected area. It is often used to treat musculoskeletal issues such as back pain and sports injuries, as well as respiratory conditions and digestive disorders. There are multiple cupping techniques including moving cups, static cupping, and flash cupping. Moving cups uses less suction and often covers a broader body area. This technique feels similar to massage and is often incorporated with massage. Static cups use stronger suction over a specific site without movement of the cup. The stationary position of the cup allows for stronger suction without discomfort and enhances blood flow more than moving cups. It is especially suited for very tight muscles and fascia or respiratory conditions. Flash cupping uses a suction and release method. This creates a pumping mechanism for blood and fluid circulation and a grasp then release sensation for the muscles.

Gua Sha ( 刮痧 ) therapy uses a smooth-edged tool over a well oiled body area to rub the skin to improve circulation, release tension, and promote tissue repair. Gua ( 刮 ) means to rub and Sha ( 痧 ) describes the rash like appearance that can occur on the skin surface as a result of the rubbing. This practice is believed to have originated during the Ming Dynasty in China, but its exact origins are unknown. It is still widely practiced in East Asia and has gained popularity in Western countries in recent years.The body area being treated and the degree of pressure is easily controlled. The sensation is relieving and comfortable. The degree and speed of which petechia shows on the skin surface indicates the severity of tissue tension or adhesions under the skin surface. Gua Sha enables the clinician to break down scar tissue and fascial adhesions while relaxing muscle fibers. When this technique is used with physical therapy or chiropractic treatment it is typically referred to as the Graston Technique. The technique and the results are the same but the tools may look different.

Children have a quick response to acupuncture. Very few needles are needed to be placed in order to have a therapeutic response. Depending on the illness fewer treatments are needed before results are observed compared with adults. In general children are often able to retain the needle for as many minutes as their years in age. However, often children under 6 -12 months will retain the needles for longer because they are easily distracted and ignore the needle placement. Children usually feel the most comfortable sitting up or sitting in their parent’s lap when they receive acupuncture. We will work to win the child’s cooperation with receiving acupuncture and have methods for enhancing their sense of accomplishment and participation through the process.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is the oldest and most sophisticated herbal medicine system with the most recorded history. Classical works such as the Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders (Shang Han Sun 伤寒论 ~ 206 CE) and Shennong’s Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 神农本草经 ~ 220 CE) are still referenced today. The extensive recorded history, the immense clinical experience from its use, and the integration of modern science to further understand the mechanisms of how and why herbal formulations work make it an indispensable therapeutic resource.

Chinese herbal medicine therapies rarely use single herbs and instead typically involve a formulation of multiple herbs. This could be as few as three herbs or as many as more than 20 herbs. This is not only because of the different therapeutic functions of individual herbs but also because of how the herbs are interacting with each other in the formulation. Some herbs will enhance the effects on the specific therapeutic target. Other herbs will mitigate the side effects of other herbs in the formulation. The balanced formula is paired with the unique presentation of the client resulting in personalized treatment. Chinese herbal medicine doesn’t target the disease with a one formula fits all strategy.

Herbs can be used internally in the form of pills, granules (instant powder), decoctions, and tinctures. They are also applied topically in the form of salves, creams, poultices, ointments, and oils. The combination of internal and external herbal applications can expedite the resolution of complex dermatological conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. It also speeds the resolution of muscular skeletal injuries and enhances the management of chronic pain disorders in combination with acupuncture.

828 Acupuncture & Apothecary is committed to sourcing high quality, laboratory tested whole herbs, granules, patents, and essential oils. Where herbs are harvested from and how they are grown is important. Knowing that are suppliers take extra care in the decisions about where to source herbs from as well as test them for any potential environmental, insecticide or herbicide contamination is important. When possible, our apothecary sources whole herbs from the United States and is specifically committed to developing and finding sources for whole herbs harvested or grown in Appalachia.