$20 Acupuncture Treatments in Ocean Beach, San Diego. Every Day, for Everyone.

About Acupuncture
Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is a primary branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

In TCM, there are meridians, or channels, that connect the entire body, all linked by acupuncture points. Qualified practitioners stimulate these meridians to promote circulation, move blockages, strengthen the body, and restore balance.

According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a balanced state. Acupuncture and related modalities do not heal the body; rather, they are used in a comprehensive medical system of diagnosis and treatment to restore balance so the body can heal itself.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) define acupuncture as "a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques." Acupuncture needles are sterile, single-use, hair-thin, and made of stainless steel.

Acupuncture micro-systems might also be helpful in treatment, including those for auricular (ear) acupuncture, hand and scalp acupuncture. Each of these microcosms reflects the state of the entire body.

Please click here for details about what to expect when you visit BCA for treatment.

Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are sterile, metallic, solid, and hair-thin. Patients often feel nothing or just a very slight sensation when the needle is inserted. Some people feel energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Most people find acupuncture treatments very relaxing and comfortable. While you are resting with the needles in place you might feel some tingling, heaviness, or other sensations of energy movement. All of these are normal and usually pleasant; if anything becomes uncomfortable just let us know and we'll gladly adjust it.

State of Acupuncture in the U.S.
The National Institutes of Health Consensus Statement states "one of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted procedures for the same conditions."

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, acupuncture use among adults increased by three-tenths of one percent (approximately 1,000,000 people).

Considerations and Precautions
In the hands of a trained practitioner, acupuncture is considered to be quite safe and free of side effects. This is a strong medicine, however, so certain precautions must be taken to protect the patient. Precautions include:

• Treatment should be delayed or very few needles used for patients who are famished, have overeaten, are intoxicated, extremely fatigued, or very weak.
• It is contraindicated to puncture points on the lower abdomen or sacral region for women who are pregnant. There are also certain acupuncture points contraindicated in pregnancy. If there is a chance you might be pregnant, tell your practitioner so she can modify treatment, as appropriate.
• Points on the vertex of an infant should not be needled. Needles should not be retained in an infant, since s/he may not consent to treatment.
• Care must be taken to avoid blood vessels and internal organs. Licensed acupuncturists are well trained in safety.
• Caution is used in treating patients with pacemakers, seizure disorders, immunodeficiency, bleeding disorder such as hemophilia or use of blood thinners, or infectious skin disorders.
• Slight bruising might be experienced on occasion, which generally should disappear within a few days.
• In rare cases, fainting might occur. The practitioner will remove all needles, be sure the patient is lying down, offer water and, if serious, press or needle points indicated to address fainting.

-Very relaxing and affordable. GREAT healing environment and perfect location.
(Stacey P.)

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