A 5000 year-old technique used to balance energy throughout the body.  Transferring energy from areas with excess (red, inflamed areas) to areas with low levels (like stiff, achy shoulders after a long day at work).

Acupuncture is part of a 5000 year-old healthcare system that developed halfway around the globe and is termed “Eastern Medicine.”  Western medicine, which we have available in this country, has been around for approximately 200 years and consists primarily of treating illness through the use of drugs or surgery. Eastern medicine is concerned more with proactive prevention of injuries, while Western medicine is reactive, more concerned with correcting a serious problem than early detection and prevention.  There is of course the proper time and place for medication and surgery, and this is one of the best places in the world for those services.  Other aspects of Eastern medicine are: nutrition/proper diet, herbal remedies, massage, exercise, manipulation and meditation.  Many of these are considered “complimentary” or “alternative” medicines in this country.

In Eastern medicine, manipulation comes in 2 forms: osseous (joint), and Chi (energy).  Acupuncture is a technique by which energy is manipulated or moved from one part of the body to the other and can be used to move energy towards areas of low energy or away from areas with too much energy.  For example, according to Eastern medicine, massage moves energy from the hands of the masseuse and puts it into the body part being massaged.  Like at the end of the day when your shoulders are sore from the stress of the past 8 to 10 work hours, they are suffering from too little energy. Adding energy to an area of low energy gives relief of the discomfort.  However, an acute injury, such as a sprained ankle, that is red and swollen is an area with too much energy.  Massaging the ankle would put more energy into the area causing increased discomfort. 

Acupuncture is used to manipulate (move) the energy as needed (increase or decrease).  Energy channels move throughout the body just under the skin.  At certain points these channels come to the surface.  By inserting very thin needles into these points we can manipulate this energy flow.  These needles are approximately 1/10 the diameter of those used to draw blood (because nothing needs to flow through them) and are virtually pain free when inserted.  The needles used at ActiveCare are single use, disposable needles that eliminate any chance of cross contamination.  Also, because we are manipulating energy flow, it is possible to perform an acupuncture treatment with tiny electrical stimulators (instead of needles), which do not penetrate the skin.

Common acupuncture treatments at ActiveCare:

• Muscle relaxation

• Pain control

• Reduce inflammation

• Stress reduction

• Sleep enhancement