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Acupuncture works best on those who expect it to work. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, evidence suggests that many factors like expectation and belief may play important roles in the beneficial effects of acupuncture.

Patients seek out acupuncture for a number of reasons, including:

• pain
• injuries
• depression
• allergies
• headaches and migraines
• facial rejuvenation
• cosmetic reasons

If you’ve tried medication, pharmaceuticals, or other conventional methods of dealing with these issues with no improvement, acupuncture may be the solution. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, many people find that acupuncture is the alternative treatment they never knew they needed. Many believe that acupuncture restores the body’s natural energy flow – or qi – while others believe that acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural painkillers. Depending on the symptom, both processes can be extremely beneficial.

In addition to treatment for the symptoms mentioned above, many believe acupuncture can contribute to the body’s overall well-being and can decrease stress and anxiety. The feeling of peacefulness and relaxation after an acupuncture treatment can be very helpful in treating depression for some patients.

You Want A More Holistic Approach To Your Health

More and more people are turning to acupuncture and herbal, natural treatments as we become more educated about chemicals in products (medications, cosmetics) and how they can be harmful to our bodies and the earth around us. A survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine revealed that an estimated 36% of U.S. adults use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Acupuncture and oriental medicine in particular have become increasingly popular over the past 25 years. In addition to treatment for pain, more and more people are turning to acupuncture for cosmetic benefits. Acupuncture increases the circulation in your skin, which can lead to better skin tone, facial rejuvenation and the lifting of baggy skin around the eyes. Unlike other cosmetic treatments and fillers, cosmetic acupuncture is completely free and clear of all chemicals. This can be a huge advantage for those who have had bad reactions to chemical treatments or cosmetics. Plus, cosmetic acupuncture is much cheaper than injectables, fillers or plastic surgery.

You’ve Recently Had A Traumatic Experience

If you’ve recently suffered a sports injury, trauma or auto accident, acupuncture may be beneficial for you. Acupuncture can be used to treat chronic pain or discomfort associated with a car crash or traumatic accident. Acupuncture may be helpful in that it can relieve the pain from the release of endorphins, as well as evoke a general sense of relaxation and happiness after treatment.

Some people also experience a boost of energy after a treatment. Both feelings could help cope with the recent emotional damage of the accident or trauma that occured. Being in a state of relaxation with a clear mind can make it easier to move on and accept what has happened, and harder to dwell on the negatives. A boost of energy may make it easier to deal with things that you might not have the energy to deal with otherwise.

You Have Chronic Pain, Migraines, or Headaches

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine that has been practiced in Asia for centuries to treat symptoms such as pain. According to an article in Harvard Medical School’s newsletter Healthbeat, acupuncture may relieve pain by releasing endorphins (the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals) when needles are inserted into the skin at specific “acupoints.”

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies have shown that acupuncture may relieve several types of chronic pain such as lower back, neck and knee pain, and may help reduce tension headaches and migraines. A 2012 study showed that actual acupuncture was more effective in reducing headache severity than either no acupuncture or simulated acupuncture.

A similar analysis done in 2012 on participants with back and neck pain also revealed acupuncture was more effective in reducing symptoms than no or simulated acupuncture. In addition, in 2007 the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians issued clinical practice guidelines recommending acupuncture as an alternative approach for physicians to consider when patients don’t respond to self-care (rest, heat/ice and taking pain medications).

You Want Something Quick and Effective

There are little known side effects or complications from acupuncture. This means  you can have your weekly acupuncture treatment (about 30 minutes) and then go on with your day immediately after. Acupuncture doesn’t require any downtime after treatments, and there is no soreness or impairment after. Initial acupuncture evaluations and treatment may take up to 60 minutes for the doctor to determine the type of treatment that will help the most. After the initial appointment, treatments are about a half hour and usually take one to two treatments a week for it to be effective.

Some cosmetic acupuncture treatments have long lasting effects that can last for years, so it may only be necessary to receive smaller treatments periodically every few months, if needed.

For many years now people have become more aware of the incredible healing benefits of acupuncture treatment but, it has only been in the past decade, that people have learned of the incredible healing benefits of cosmetic acupuncture.

Cosmetic acupuncture, which basically is acupuncture to treat cosmetic issues, has become one of the fastest growing use cases for acupuncture treatment and for good reason! The benefits of cosmetic acupuncture, especially when compared to traditional cosmetic procedures, are incredible. Let’s go over some of the many benefits…

It’s Completely Safe

One of the most relieving benefits to cosmetic acupuncture is that the procedure is completely safe. Negative side effects or chemical reactions are not found here and you don’t need to worry about scarring, lumps, bad experiences, or others. The procedure is painless, believe it or not, and the only side effects may include a small bruise, although not likely. Should you receive a small bruise, it will completely heal in a matter of days.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is Chemical Free

Unlike other cosmetic treatments and fillers, cosmetic acupuncture is completely free and clear of all chemicals. This can be a huge advantage for those who have had bad experiences with other chemical treatments and also those who would like to stay away from chemicals.

Cheaper Than Injectables/Fillers or Plastic Surgery

Although the price for cosmetic acupuncture varies depending on your treatment, it is far less than the hundreds and thousands of dollars you would spend with injectables, fillers, and/or plastic surgery.

Increases Circulation in Your Skin

As we age, the natural circulation in our skin starts to slow down. With the slowed down circulation, you often will notice an increase in lines on your face and neck, baggy eyes, less than perfect skin tone and more. With cosmetic acupuncture, a practitioner can safely and effectively increase the circulation in your face and neck, increasing your your collagen and elastin. With this, your skin tone will improve, lines will decrease and you will start to naturally look younger.

Related: Cupping Therapy: How It Works

Helps Clear Up Acne

When thinking of acne problems, many people would never guess that cosmetic acupuncture can be a very effective and safe treatment for acne. Regardless if the acne is caused by a chronic condition or random hormone fluctuations, using cosmetic acupuncture has been known to be a great treatment option.

Effective Treatment For Eczema and Rosacea

Similar to being an effective treatment for acne problems, cosmetic acupuncture has always been known to be a solution to those suffering from eczema and rosacea. With using cosmetic acupuncture for this type of treatment, the patient will not need to rely on medication and/or lotions which can be a big relief, especially with some of the known side effects.

Quick With No Down Time

Unlike other cosmetic treatments, cosmetic acupuncture can take place in less than an hour and you will not need the required down time after the treatment as you would with other options. This means you can have your cosmetic acupuncture treatment and then go about your day immediately after.

Long Lasting Effects

With cosmetic acupuncture, depending on what you are treating, your treatment could last many years, with periodic smaller treatments every six months or so (when needed).

Your face is one of the most noticeable parts of your body; therefore you want it to look as good as possible.

Unfortunately, as you age, the elasticity and collagen in your skin declines resulting in laugh lines, fine lines, crow’s feet, sagging skin, wrinkles, age spots, and other skin conditions. Smoking, poor diet, hormones, pollutants, health conditions, and excessive sun exposure can also cause your skin to break down.

Although it is expected that your skin will change over time, there are things that you can do to preserve your healthy, youthful appearance. Cosmetic procedures like facial rejuvenation treatments can help you regain your fresh, vibrant appearance.

Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Treatments

There are many different benefits associated with having facial rejuvenation treatments, but it is important to note that these treatments cannot prevent your skin from aging. Facial rejuvenation treatments can, however, remove years from your appearance by reducing the signs of aging (i.e. crow’s feet, wrinkles, age spots, saggy skin, under eye circles, fine lines, etc.).

Ultimately the benefits depend on the condition of your skin and they type of treatment selected. Some facial rejuvenation treatments have fairly quick recovery times, while others have a longer down time. Moreover, the length of the results varies amongst facial rejuvenation procedures – some treatments may need to be repeated monthly, while others may only need to be repeated every 6 to 12 months.

Listed below are common benefits associated with facial rejuvenation treatments:

• Stimulates collagen production
• Tightens loose skin
• Reduces redness and puffiness around your eyes and eyelids
• Delays the aging process
• Reduces the appearance of a “double chin” by eliminating excess fat
• Increases your self-confidence by improving your facial appearance
• Lifts your jaw line, eyelids and eyebrows to smooth and improve your overall appearance
• Increases skin elasticity and improves your complexion and skin tone
• Minimizes and/or eliminates dark spots, pigmentation, scars and spider veins
• Reduces the appearance fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, etc.

A Brief History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic health technique that stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine practices in which trained practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles into the skin.

Today, acupuncture is one of the most popular practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West. TCM is a complementary health approach that first originated in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago and has been evolving ever since.

To treat a wide variety of diseases, pain, and stress-related symptoms, practitioners of TCM use holistic techniques that include acupuncture, herbal medicines, tai chi, qi gong, massage therapy, and various “mind and body practices.”

The use of acupuncture and other TCM techniques have risen steadily in the U.S and other Western countries over the past several decades. According to a large survey done on complementary health approaches by the National Institute of Health in 2007, in the U.S. alone at least 3.1 million people received acupuncture treatments in 2007. The survey showed that the number of visits to acupuncturists tripled between 1997 and 2007.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Surprisingly, although needles are used in acupuncture, treatments are relatively pain-free. In fact, one of the most popular uses of acupuncture is to reduce chronic pain throughout the body in a natural way, without the need for medications that can cause unwanted side effects.

Most of the studies investigating acupuncture to date have examined whether acupuncture can safely reduce pain. However, it’s expected that in the next several years, researchers will continue to study whether or not it might help with other conditions, too – including anxiety, depression, inflammation, hot flashes, side effects of chemotherapy, and insomnia.

What Is Acupuncture Able to Treat?

Currently, acupuncture is used to treat conditions like:

• muscle spasms and pain
• chronic back problems and pain
• headaches, including reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines
• neck pain
• Osteoarthritis
• knee pain
• allergies
• Digestive
• headaches
• Problems with depression

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services states that:

“… promising results have emerged showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment.”

There are many wonderful benefits of Reiki. It is a very simple process, but usually produces quite profound effects. The main purpose of a Reiki treatment is not only to support the physical body, but also to promote a positive mind so you can experience more joy in life. The great thing about Reiki is that one does not have to be ill to experience the benefits.

It helps people with their energy levels, managing the stress of daily life, or when transitions are happening in their lives. Others will come to develop themselves spiritually and experience a greater sense of meaning in life. Many of my clients are well and want to stay that way so Reiki helps them to maintain that harmony so they can respond to their challenges differently.

After a treatment most people feel calm and relaxed, and some say they feel energetic, clear-minded, and productive.

Many who come for Reiki treatments realize that balancing their systems can help them to cope better with a wide range of health conditions including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and infertility.

Promotes Harmony & Balance

Reiki helps to promote harmony and balance. It is an effective, non-invasive, energy healing modality that enhances the body’s natural healing ability whilst energising and promoting overall wellness. Reiki works directly by restoring balance on all levels and works directly on the problem and condition instead of just masking or relieving symptoms.

When I talk about balance, I mean mental and emotional balance, left and right brain, masculine and feminine, labelling things as good or bad, positive or negative, etc.

Deep Relaxation, Releasing Stress and Tension

What many people enjoy about a Reiki treatment is it allows them time to themselves where they aren’t doing but just being. Clients have reported feeling clearer, peaceful, relaxed, and lighter within themselves.

Reiki provides a space where you can be more aware of what is going on inside your body and mind. To learn to listen to your own body and make wise decisions regarding your well being from this place. Being more present means you are in your body, which helps you to access even more of that inner knowing and wisdom that we all have!

Dissolves Energy Blocks, Promotes A Natural Balance

Regular Reiki treatments can bring about a calmer and more peaceful state of being, in which a person is better able to cope with everyday stress. This mental balance also enhances learning, memory, and mental clarity.

Reiki can heal mental/emotional wounds and can help alleviate mood swings, fear, frustration and even anger. It can also strengthen and heal personal relationships.

Because Reiki enhances your capability to love, it can open you up to the people around you and help your relationships grow.

Cleanses Your Body of Toxins and Supports The Immune System

We spend so much time in stress-reactive fight or flight phase that it becomes our ‘norm’ and our bodies literally forget how to return to balance. Reiki helps remind our bodies how to shift into a parasympathetic nervous system (rest/digest) self-healing mode.

Rest/digest doesn’t mean you have to stop being active and productive or ‘do nothing’. It allows you to sleep better and digest better which is important to maintaining health and vitality. The more you are in this space, the more you can be active and productive without being stressed, exhausted, or burnt out.

Clear The Mind and Improves Focus

Reiki can support you in staying centered in the present moment rather than getting caught up in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. It can strengthen your ability to accept and work with the way events are unfolding even when they don’t follow your desires or timetable. You begin to react to situations, people, and yourself in a supportive way rather than acting out of habit.

Aids In Getting Better Sleep

The number one outcome of receiving a Reiki session is relaxation. When we’re relaxed, we sleep better and our bodies heal better. We think more clearly and we relate to each other more genuinely. Often clients will experience deep relaxation during their Reiki session and sometimes a deep sleep during the session as well.

Accelerate Your Body’s Ability To Self-heal

Reiki quickly returns you to your natural state, or at least gets your body moving in the right direction to self-heal.

That means your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure improve. Breathing deeper and easier is one of the first things to happen during a self-practice or treatment received from someone else. When we breath better, our minds naturally settle.

As your respiration deepens your body moves into parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) dominance, meaning the rest/digest phase. Your body was made to function primarily in the rest/digest phase rather than the more commonly experienced fight/flight phase.

Relieve Pain and Supports Physical Healing

On the outside looking in, a Reiki treatment might appear to be merely a sequence of hand placements, but it works to restore balance on the deepest possible level. It encourages your system to improve your body’s vital functions (breathing, digesting, and sleeping) so your physical systems function optimally.

On the physical level, Reiki helps to relieve pain from migraines, arthritis, sciatica, and much more. It also helps with symptoms of asthma, chronic fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and insomnia.

Helps Spiritual Growth and Emotional Cleansing

You do not need to be into spirituality to enjoy the benefits of Reiki. However, many clients that receive Reiki treatment feel the benefits of self healing, spiritual growth, and personal development.

Reiki addresses the whole person rather than targeting individual symptoms. It can create profound, often subtle shifts from deep within your own being.

What does that look like?

Guidance about what to do around difficult situations can come more easily. Or it may inspire a change in attitude or belief about your situation. Suddenly, you see your condition from a fresh perspective and are able to deal with it in a more positive way. Or it might direct you to the right kind of action needed which is guided from within.

Complements Medical Treatment & Other Therapies

Reiki is a wonderful complement to conventional medicine and acupuncture as it helps relax patients on the levels of the mind and physical body. When a patient is relaxed the healing process is accelerated. People sleep much better and are calmer following Reiki treatments.

The beauty of Reiki is that it is non-invasive and is administered in a very gentle manner. I can perform Reiki treatments without touching the body in cases where a patient has burns or major injuries.

Reiki is safe to use if you have medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, or heart conditions. You may receive Reiki treatments if you are undergoing chemotherapy. Pregnant woman can have Reiki treatments as well to support them through all stages of pregnancy.