Advanced Acupuncture

Acupuncture has evolved over time with many modern treatment styles proven effective for a variety of conditions. Margaret has continued studying and participating in master classes and mentorships since graduating from acupuncture school in 2003 and offers advanced acupuncture techniques that work. She combines multiple styles to bring you the very best that acupuncture has to offer including Neuro Acupuncture and Electro Acupuncture Medicine.

At Inner Light Wellness, you will receive customized care for your unique health concerns. Margaret will use a combination of acupuncture techniques specific to your needs.

Acupuncture has at least a 2,000 year history as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture encourages your body’s natural healing abilities. This means good health and vitality for you!

Scientific research shows that acupuncture stimulates chemicals in the brain and body that stop pain, relieve stress, and reduce inflammation. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can be balanced and enhanced with acupuncture. Serotonin is important for symptom such as depression. Dopamine imbalance is implicated in ADHD and is vital for motivation.

Depression research has been conducted that demonstrates acupuncture is at least as effective as antidepressants and reduces side effects when used in conjunction with antidepressant medication. Acupuncture even balances hormones in conditions such as PMS and menopausal hot flashes. Studies show that acupuncture regulates the immune system to relieve asthma and allergies.

If you look up acupuncture on the internet, you will see words like ‘qi’ or energy, that runs along meridians or ‘yin and yang’ that need to be balanced. Wikipedia will tell you that acupuncture is pseudoscience. Well they are wrong. Acupuncture is neuroscience. Johns Hopkins Medical says this: “Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.” So rather than use ancient terms like ‘qi’, meridians, or ‘yin and yang’ a more modern interpretation can be understood by taking a look at the nervous system.

Acupuncture uses strategically located neuro-vascular points on the body that lie along nerve pathways. Your nervous system is spread throughout your entire body and affects every bodily function including those of your organs, glands, digestive system, circulatory system, and brain. So, an acupuncture point, located far from a problem area, can transmit a signal through the nervous system to produce healthy change. It does this via electrical signaling. Electrical signals govern all the processes that occur in your body via the nervous system.

Electrons are required for life. Every cell in your body communicates using electrochemical signaling. Think about this: your heart beat is determined by an electrical signal – your heart has its own electrical system to coordinate the four heart chambers that pump your blood. Your brain generates enough electricity to power a lightbulb via electrochemical signaling.

Ancient understanding of ‘qi’ can really be translated in modern times to electricity and nerve conductivity to create electrochemical change in your body. Your entire body is communicating along electrical pathways (the nervous system) to keep you functioning. Acupuncture points are electrically active and can be measured with electrical devices. The most neurologically and electrically active points are the most often used points in the Traditional Chinese Medicine system.

How do Acupuncture Needles Regulate the Nervous System?

Acupuncture needles, being made of stainless steel, are themselves electrically conductive. When we insert an acupuncture needle near an active point, there is a tiny ‘charge’ that stimulates the nerve pathway we are treating in order to create change in the nervous system to help your body heal naturally. Margaret has studied Advanced Acupuncture techniques that create powerful, long lasting change.

In addition to Advanced Acupuncture, we also offer Neuropuncture – a research supported electro acupuncture technique based in neuroscience. Electro acupuncture isn’t as scary as it sounds. Patients report feeling a gentle tapping or buzzing at the acupuncture site.

Electro acupuncture and Neuropuncture are a modern evolution of ancient traditions. Evidence based, research supported, and clinically reproducible, these advanced acupuncture techniques can be used to help a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, sleep disorders including Restless Legs Syndrome, and mental health conditions such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Clinical Depression. Margaret has experience in treating all of these in addition to post-concussion syndrome, post-stroke paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and vertigo.

After determining your underlying imbalances through a comprehensive intake and examination, acupuncture points are selected. The majority of points lie between elbows and wrists, knees and ankles. Some are located on the torso. You remain completely clothed for most acupuncture treatments.

First you lie comfortably on a padded massage table. The selected points are swabbed with alcohol, then sterile, single-use acupuncture needles are inserted into those areas.

Our needles are many times smaller than those used in a doctor’s office. Most people feel nothing and report a pleasant relaxation within a few minutes, often drifting into a light sleep during their treatments. After 20-25 minutes, the needles are removed and you’re free to go about your day!

The word ‘needle’ can provoke a lot of fear – even in some of the bravest people! Please don’t worry, acupuncture is usually not painful. In fact, most people describe the sensation as a light tap, followed by a heavy or full sensation that is not at all unpleasant.

The heavy sensation people feel is called ‘de qi’ which means ‘the arrival of qi’. Qi is the energy inside you that acupuncturists use to move blockages that may be causing pain or illness. The sensation may come and go during a treatment – or you may notice wandering sensations in areas where no needles have been placed. You are feeling your qi as it circulates through the acupuncture meridians. It is a healthy response to acupuncture treatment.

When a needle does cause discomfort, it is temporary! Some points are more sensitive than others. Certain people need a lighter touch. We are happy to accommodate your preferences. I have needles that even most children find painless. (Yes, we treat children!)

Acupuncture treatments are cumulative and work best when done two to three times per week to start. Symptoms that are new or more acute require less treatments. However, most people are dealing with chronic, long term issues and require an average of six to eight weeks to begin to heal.

You’ll notice gradual improvements as we restore your body to balance. Symptoms lessen as you notice additional benefits such as improved energy levels, deeper sleep, and more resilience to stress.

Once your condition is resolved, it is recommended that you continue with maintenance treatments to maintain your results. Maintenance treatments also prevent illness from returning and may keep you from developing them in the first place. An added bonus: most patients find acupuncture to be profoundly relaxing!