Acupuncture at Healing Foundations

Acupuncture includes private and group acupuncture sessions, auricular therapy, sooji, needle-free acupressure, ear seeds and tui na, which are all components of traditional Oriental medicine.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture dates back thousands of years. It involves inserting and manipulating extremely thin needles at specific points on your body. According to traditional Oriental medicine theory, it is at these points that the energy that keeps us healthy flows close to the skin. Acupuncturists place thin, sterile, one-time use needles at these points to correct, rebalance or unblock the flow of energy through your body.

The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization recommend acupuncture for many disorders, which include:
  • Asthma
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Labor pain
  • Low back pain
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Migraines
  • Nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pain and nausea after operations
  • Postoperative dental pain
  • Tendonitis, including tennis elbow and frozen shoulder

Group acupuncture

Healing Foundations offers convenient and comprehensive 30-minute acupuncture treatments in a group setting. Group acupuncture can be a good way to introduce someone to acupuncture, fit a treatment into a busy schedule and save money when managing chronic conditions.

Group acupuncture can assist people with a wide range of conditions. However, it is best known for helping to relieve pain, stress-related symptoms, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Group acupuncture is also helpful in combating addictions – which could include smoking, overeating, out-of-control sugar addictions and even more serious substance abuse problems.

At Healing Foundations, four or more people at a time -- family members, co-workers, friends or total strangers – receive individual acupuncture treatments while relaxing in comfortable chairs in one of our treatment rooms. Because the acupuncturist uses points on the ears, scalp, face, arms and below the knees, there's no need to undress or wear special clothes. If a table treatment is necessary, clothing usually can be adjusted easily.

Group acupuncture is based on the Asian tradition of providing acupuncture in a communal setting. In fact, receiving treatment as part of a group is thought to create a special synergy that increases healing.

Auricular therapy

In auricular therapy, the practitioner uses needles at points on the outer ear that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Auricular therapy is a particularly effective treatment for many conditions, including addictions, mood disorders, obesity and pain. Chinese texts dating back to the third century describe using auricular therapy to treat disease. In the 1970s and 1980s, German and French physicians researched auricular therapy and documented its effectiveness in treating musculo-skeletal and central nervous system disorders.

Electro-acupuncture

In electro-acupuncture, the practitioner attaches a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit that sends electric pulses through the acupuncture needles. This safe stimulation helps promote healing and is often used to treat pain, tension and paralysis.

Sooji

Koryo sooji chim, also known as sooji, is a Korean hand meridian therapy. Practitioners use either special rolling tools or very small needles to stimulate points on the hand that correspond to points on the body. Sooji is an effective therapy for a wide range of ailments, especially pain management associated with back and neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, gastro-intestinal conditions and sinus pressure.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an even older therapy than acupuncture. Practitioners use their fingers or special tools to press special acupuncture points on the surface of the client's skin to stimulate the body's natural healing capabilities. Because there is no needle insertion, acupressure can be used to treat children or adults who are wary of needles.

Ear seeds

Ear seeds are a non-invasive technique that can help manage stress, pain and a variety of other symptoms. Using tape, the practitioner attaches small and inconspicuous ear seeds at specific points on the outer ear. By pressing the ear seeds, clients can stimulate the ear's acupuncture points for up to two weeks.

Tui na

Tui na involves using thumb presses, rubbing, percussion and stretches at the acupuncture points to treat a variety of physical conditions and internal disorders.

Teishin (needle-free acupuncture)

For children or for adults who are uncomfortable with needles, Healing Foundations offers teishin – needleless acupuncture. The practitioner manipulates acupuncture points on the body or the ear with a specially designed, slender probe. There is no needle insertion.