Acupuncture That Gets Results
For Pain, Stress, Digestion, Immune Health, Hormones, and Chronic Complex Conditions
Many people first come to us when they’re in pain—whether it’s back pain that won’t quit, headaches that keep coming back, or the kind of deep exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix. Others find us when they’re looking for a different approach to stress, digestion, hormones, or immune health. Whatever brings you here, we’re honored to help.
We collaborate with primary care physicians, naturopaths, pain management physicians, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers throughout Sonoma County who refer patients to us because they’ve seen what acupuncture can do.
Let’s Talk About How We Can Help You!
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Here at Thrive we are always aiming to explain acupuncture in a way that you can understand.
Chinese medicine theory says that there are blockages in the body, like a kink in the hose, and imbalances like pain and illness happen upstream or downstream. These blockages are called qi blockages and they are both energy blockages and physical blockages.
What is blocked energy? When was the last time you had a day that you just felt “off” all day? And then there are other times when you feel “on”. We’ve also all walked into a room and felt the energy was off, or was warm and inviting. That’s the feeling of your energy being blocked or in the flow.
What is the physical side of how acupuncture works? Numerous sources now say that the word qi was incorrectly translated as energy and that a more accurate translation is circulation. In the circulation there is potential energy with oxygen and nutrients. Acupuncture has been shown via imaging to activate the midbrain that releases your regulating hormones, feel good chemicals, and nutrients into your blood. And other imaging has shown that acupuncture is directional. For example when one point is activated your body sends more blood to the heart, but when another point is activated your body sends more blood to the digestive system.
We believe that this is the key to how acupuncture works on the physical level. Circulation that is carrying blood (with all the things your body needs) to the right place(s) for you activates your body’s self-healing. This boosts the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest, and heal), eases inflammation, reduces pain, balances hormones, strengthens your immune system, resets the digestive system–all things that acupuncture has been shown to do.
So acupuncture works by increasing energy and circulation to specific areas of the body and activating your body’s natural healing response in those areas. This is why acupuncture can help with so many different kinds of problems.
Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.
Does Acupuncture Hurt? What Is A Treatment Like?
We’re not going to say you don’t feel anything, but most people fall asleep or get so relaxed they lose track of time during their treatment–and that would not be happening if they were lying there in pain or discomfort. We specialize in gentle acupuncture and focus on creating a relaxing environment. People often comment how relaxing our office and the treatments are.
During your acupuncture treatment ultra-fine needles are placed at acupuncture points to treat your imbalance and activate the body’s healing system. The hair thin needles come in sterile packaging, are only used once, and are disposed of immediately following your treatment.
Normally you rest for 30 minutes lying down on a comfortable massage table. As you rest you may feel warmth, tingling, heaviness, coolness, or lightness near the points or often in other places. This is the body rebalancing. It’s like all your traffic lights were red and we turned them all green. You can feel some traffic jams and bottle necks happening, and then working themselves out and opening up. Some people don’t feel much except a feeling of relaxation and acupuncture is still working.
For your first appointment, plan to spend an hour and twenty minutes at the office; wear comfortable clothing that allows us access to your arms from the elbows down and your legs from the knees down; and please make sure you have eaten but are not too full.
Follow-up appointments last 60 minutes; you will report your progress and receive an acupuncture treatment.
What Style of Acupuncture Are You Talking About?
We practice distal acupuncture sometimes called the Balance Method by Richard Tan, Master Tung Acupuncture, Channel Acupuncture, or I Ching Acupuncture. It’s a more ancient style of acupuncture than what is taught as the foundation in most acupuncture schools. It’s well known for patients feeling relief, often as soon as the first few points are placed. It got famous in the US as acupuncture for instant pain relief. It’s just as effective for other conditions like stress, digestion, hormones, the immune system, and other chronic complex conditions–especially those that have not responded to other treatments.
We love that patients experience relief sooner rather than later because we’re super results motivated. Patients tell us they love that they feel relief quickly and that it gives them hope that they can feel better.
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
Pain
- Acute & Chronic Pain
- Tendonitis
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Sports Injuries
- Tennis Elbow
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sprains & Trauma
- Knee Pain
- Trigger Finger
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Arthritis
- Bell’s Palsy
- Repetitive Motion Injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuralgia
- Back, Neck, & Shoulder Pain
- Headaches & Migraines
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Sciatica
- TMJ / Jaw Pain
- Phantom-Limb Pain
- Whiplash
- Gout
- Menstrual Cramps
Stress
- Stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Anxiety
- Mania
- Insomnia
- Indecision
- Nervous Tension
- Low Energy
- Ruminating
- Depression
- Grief
- Foggy Head
Immune System
- Allergies
- Sinus Headaches
- Recovery After Prolonged Illness
- Hay Fever
- Coughs & Bronchitis
- Immune System Dysfunctions
- Rhinitis
- Asthma
- Chronic Fatigue
- Sinusitis & Sinus Infections
- Eye, Ear, & Throat Disorders
- Colds & Flus (Including Corona Viruses such as COVID-19)
Digestion
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- IBS / IBD
- Diverticulitis
- Gallbladder Imbalance
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Acid Reflux
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Crohn’s Disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Fissures
- Bloating
- Gas
- Stress-Related Digestion Imbalances
Hormones
- Perimenopause (Night Sweats, Hot Flashes, Irritability, Anxiety, Insomnia, Joint Pain, Heavy Bleeding)
- Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods, Cramping)
- Amenorrhea
- Irregular Periods
- Heavy Bleeding or Spotting
- PMS
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids & Cysts
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Headaches & Migraines
- Bloating & Fatigue
- Hormonal Acne
- Night Sweats & Hot Flashes
Chronic Complex Conditions That Have Not Responded To Other Treatments
Most people in the US come to the acupuncturist after nothing else has worked and things have gotten complicated. This doesn’t intimidate us. We’re excited to bring a new perspective and figure out how we can help your condition with your unique circumstances. The goods news is we don’t need a clear western medicine diagnosis in order to be able to help you. We’ll use our system of diagnosis, listen to your priorities, and set up a clear treatment plan so we can both track how much we’re helping you.
Targeted acupuncture treatments designed to relieve tension, restore mobility, and support long-term healing.
Your Journey to Better Health Starts Here
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