What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a gentle, holistic form of medicine that has been used for thousands of years to support health and well-being. It is one of the primary therapies within Traditional Chinese Medicine, a system of healthcare that focuses on restoring balance and supporting the body's natural ability to heal.
Treatment involves the placement of ultra-fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body. The needles are about the width of a human hair, and most people find the experience comfortable and deeply relaxing. Some patients notice sensations such as warmth, tingling, heaviness, or a gentle ache, which are normal responses to treatment.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, health is viewed as a state of balance. Acupuncture is used to help restore that balance, support healthy function throughout the body, and promote overall well-being.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture helps support the body's natural healing processes and restore balance. Research suggests it may influence the nervous system, improve circulation, and encourage the body's own healing responses.
Acupuncture may help:
✓ Relieve pain and discomfort
✓ Calm the nervous system and reduce stress
✓ Improve circulation and support recovery
✓ Ease muscle tension
✓ Promote healthy sleep
✓ Support digestion and hormonal balance
✓ Enhance overall health and well-being
At our clinic, every treatment is personalized to your unique needs. Using a specialized Japanese style of acupuncture, Michelle performs a gentle hands-on assessment at each visit to identify the body's priorities and create a treatment designed specifically for you.
Is acupuncture safe?
When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is considered very safe. We use only sterile, single-use disposable needles and follow strict safety and sanitation protocols.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture feels. The needles are extremely thin—about the width of a human hair—and many patients feel little to no discomfort during treatment. In fact, many people become deeply relaxed and even fall asleep during their session.
Can acupuncture be combined with other medical care?
Yes. Acupuncture is often used alongside conventional medical care, physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, counseling, and other wellness approaches. Many patients find it works well as part of an integrated healthcare plan.
Will my insurance cover acupuncture?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to verify your acupuncture benefits. Our office is happy to help answer questions about billing and coverage whenever possible.
How will acupuncture benefit me?
Acupuncture focuses on treating you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. By looking at factors such as pain, stress, sleep, digestion, energy, and overall well-being, treatment is designed to address underlying patterns that may be affecting your health.
Many patients come seeking help for a specific concern, but often notice additional benefits such as better sleep, improved digestion, increased energy, reduced stress, and a greater sense of balance and well-being.
Acupuncture may be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including chronic pain, stress, headaches, digestive issues, women's health concerns, sleep difficulties, and other ongoing health challenges. While every person's experience is unique, treatment aims to support the body's natural healing abilities and improve overall quality of life.
What if I've tried everything else?
Many patients come to our clinic after struggling with symptoms for months or even years. While every person's experience is unique, acupuncture offers a different perspective—one that focuses on restoring balance and supporting the body's natural ability to heal. Even when symptoms have been longstanding, there may still be opportunities for improvement.
What does Michelle specialize in?
Michelle specializes in a personalized, whole-person approach to healing using acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and a specialized Japanese style of acupuncture where treatment is guided by hands-on assessment to identify tender areas on the body and chose treatment points that immediately relieve those tender assessment points. This tailors each treatment based on the body's priorities of the day and creates a treatment tailored to your unique needs.
She has extensive experience helping patients with chronic pain, stress and nervous system regulation, digestive concerns, women's health and hormonal balance, fertility support, sleep issues, and complex health conditions that have not responded fully to conventional treatments.
Michelle's goal is not only to address symptoms, but to support lasting improvements in overall health, resilience, and quality of life. Michelle takes the time to listen, understand your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan that supports both symptom relief and long-term wellness.
What is an acupuncture treatment like?
Acupuncture treatments take place in a calm, comfortable, and confidential environment where you have the opportunity to discuss your health concerns, goals, and questions.
Your first visit is approximately 75 minutes and includes a comprehensive consultation, assessment, and treatment. Michelle uses a specialized Japanese style of acupuncture that combines gentle hands-on assessment with a highly individualized approach. Each treatment is tailored to what your body needs that day.
During treatment, you will relax comfortably on a treatment table while ultra-fine, sterile needles—about the width of a human hair—are gently placed at specific points on the body. Most people find the treatment very relaxing, and many even fall asleep. You may notice sensations such as warmth, tingling, heaviness, or a gentle ache, which are normal responses to treatment.
Follow-up visits are approximately 50 minutes and include consultation and acupuncture treatment. Depending on your needs, care may also incorporate therapies such as cupping, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, red light therapy, PEMF therapy, nutritional guidance, and practical lifestyle recommendations.
The goal of each session is to support your body's natural healing abilities, help you feel your best, and provide you with tools to support your health between visits.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing whenever possible. Many acupuncture points are located on the arms, legs, abdomen, and back, so clothing that can be rolled up easily is helpful.
How many treatments will I need?
Every person's healing journey is unique. The number of treatments needed depends on factors such as the nature of your condition, how long it has been present, your overall health, and your individual treatment goals.
Many patients begin noticing positive changes within the first several treatments, while more chronic or complex concerns often require additional time and support. As treatment progresses, it is common to experience improvements beyond your primary complaint. Patients frequently report better sleep, increased energy, reduced stress, improved digestion, and a greater overall sense of well-being.
Because acupuncture takes a whole-person approach, supporting one area of health often has positive effects throughout the body. Many patients are pleasantly surprised to notice improvements in concerns they hadn't initially connected to the reason they sought treatment.