What is Acupuncture?

Simply put, Acupuncture is a holistic treatment for addressing symptoms like pain, illness, emotional distress and hormonal imbalance by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation, which are often the root causes of ailments like insomnia, sinus trouble, and knee pain. There are other ailments Acupuncture can help with and we’ll discuss them more below.

But, for now, let’s take insomnia as an example. Did you know that one of the top ten reasons people seek Acupuncture is relief from insomnia? That’s because it’s incredibly effective after several sessions. If you go to the Doctor because you’re experiencing sleeplessness, your Doctor may give you medicine to get some rest. While taking the medicine, maybe you feel groggy during the day – which is a pretty terrible side effect. Plus, when you stop taking the medicine, the issue is still there. In other words, the problem that existed in the beginning never really went away. Acupuncture addresses the issue holistically by recognizing that insomnia, anxiety, pain, migraines and other issues are the result of fundamental functions within the body that are not working properly.

Let’s talk a little bit more about what Acupuncture is and how it can help you.

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is all about getting the blood in your body to move the way it should be. When blood isn’t circulating optimally, it creates a traffic jam. The result is inflammation, pain, lack of energy, hormonal imbalance, and illness. Improper circulation even affects emotions – you may feel sad, anxious, or distressed . Acupuncture addresses these blockages by getting blood to circulate properly. The goal of Acupuncture is always to train the body to run optimally on its own. This means that Acupuncture, unlike other forms of medical treatment, addresses the root issue with an overall goal of getting your body to work properly on its own.

At Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center, we concentrate on the areas of your body that have been neglected by poor circulation. This could be the site of a recent injury – or maybe even an older one that’s never been addressed before. It could also be your sinus area, your colon, or maybe your entire endocrine system. We enhance the effects of needling by also using tuina massage, stretching and orthopedic movements. This method gives you results that are faster and overall more effective.

What can Acupuncture help with?

Acupuncture is often sought as a way to relieve discomfort associated with diseases and conditions, like:

Fibromyalgia
Menstrual Cramps
Insomnia
Headaches
Migraines
Dental Pain
Nausea and vomiting from Chemotherapy
Osteoarthritis
Lower Back Pain
Neck Pain
Tennis Elbow
Bursitis
Cold and Flu
Digestive Issues
Sinus Issues
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Asthma

What happens during an Acupuncture session?

During the session your practitioner will make you as comfortable as possible. There are also things you can do to prepare yourself for a session. Wear loose and comfortable clothes. Many people bring a pair of shorts to change into. If you’re having pain in a certain area, like the shoulders, wear an article of clothing that allows the shoulders to be easily accessed. With most Acupuncture treatments we can push your clothing up to expose the treatment area – and, if needed, we could always drape a sheet over you.

Your first Acupuncture Session

First, we’ll take a look at the intake form you completed either at home or in the office and then we’ll discuss your symptoms and the reason you’re visiting. Next, we’ll run a manual muscle and range of motion test. As always, we’ll take your pulse and evaluate the look, shape and color of your tongue. After we have a good idea of what your goals for acupuncture are, we’ll run down what your individual treatment plan will be.

The bulk of this first session is spent doing the necessary bodywork, dry needling and acupuncture. At Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center, we use tuina massage, orthopedic movements and other therapeutic movements in tandem with acupuncture in order to give you the absolute best and quickest result. Lastly, before you leave we’ll discuss your individual acupuncture therapy program going forward. Maybe this means setting you up for your next appointment.

Follow Up Acupuncture Session

Before we start your bodywork, we’ll discuss the results of your initial treatment and change anything that needs to be changed. We can’t tell alot from the first session because Acupuncture is a multi-session therapy, meaning it works best when it’s repeated. But, based on what you report, we may be able to alter specific aspects of the therapy so it works better. Next, we’ll run some quick manual muscle and range of motion tests. As always, we’ll take your pulse and take a good look at the shape, color, dryness and overall look of your tongue.

As always, the bulk of your session is the actual bodywork, acupuncture, and dry needling. Before you leave, we’ll give you some exercises and techniques that you can use to maintain the results you’ve achieved through your sessions. If you need further treatment, we’ll set you up for another appointment.

What can I expect after an Acupuncture treatment?

After your treatment you’ll go about your day as normal. That’s because Acupuncture is a noninvasive treatment. The beauty of Acupuncture is the variety of results it produces. Some people feel super energized after a session, while others feel relaxed and tranquil. Your results are individual and depend on your goals, symptoms and body.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you should see noticeable, lasting differences after each session. As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve had 3-4 sessions without feeling a noticeable difference, it’s time to discuss different treatment options. While Acupuncture works beautifully for most, there are some who don’t respond to it. Not every form of medicine works for every person, every time – and that’s why a holistic approach to medicine works so well. Treating our patients as whole beings allows us to monitor their progress and see what’s working and what isn’t.

How can you find a qualified Acupuncturist in Raleigh, North Carolina?

If you’re searching for a qualified Acupuncturist in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with experience, qualifications, and compassion. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas. Much like the balance that Acupuncture provides for your body, we provide our patients with balanced care: the highest quality healthcare, while at the same time focusing on compassionate services that treat you, the patient with holistic, individualized treatment.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Cupping needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture, Dry Needling, and Tunia Massage. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make.

As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!