Being that the NCAA tournament is still going on, I figured this is the perfect time to boast about how acupuncture is helping atheletes stay in the game. Jeremy Adams, a guard for the Colorado University basketball team, experienced the healing  power of acupuncture.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good ending to 2012 and is looking forward to a fresh future. Sorry I have not been blogging the past few months- things tend to get crazy around the holidays. If you are already a patient of Fine Balance then most likely you are an acupuncture believer. But, for those that may be skeptical or want to know more ways how acupuncture can help you; this blog is for you.

1.       It can help you de-stress

Acupuncture helps take the edge off and turn off your “fight or flight” mode. It removes you from a sympathetic nervous state which so many of us find ourselves. By mellowing out the nervous system, acupuncture can help you feel less affected by stress and better able to handle stressful events.

2.       It can help give you more energy

Most people after an acupuncture treatment find themselves in a blissful relaxed state, however the after effect is increased energy. Many people report having more energy in the hours, days and even weeks after an acupuncture treatment.

3.       It will clear your head and improve focus

In addition to additional physical energy, many people observe improved mental clarity and focus after acupuncture. It is as if the fogginess in your brain as been cleared out. You may feel more motivated about tackling items and seem to find yourself staying on task better at work.

4.       It can help you sleep

This one is so important. Insomnia is a very common complaint and acupuncture can be effective at helping. Additionally, patients who aren’t seeking acupuncture for insomnia notice improvement in sleep quality. Majority of patients will report having a heavy and restful night sleep immediately following treatment.

5.       It will give you a topic to talk about at parties

Everyone seems curious about acupuncture-  Does it hurt? Did you get needles in your face?  Does it work? These are common questions people have about acupuncture. You will be an instant sensation if you share your experience about acupuncture. People love sharing their own acupuncture experiences as well so get talking J

6.       It will make you more patient and calm

Acupuncture is an ongoing process that requires an investment of time and willingness to let go of our desire for instant results. Acupuncture works but it isn’t a quick fix. It produces long lasting effects but it doesn’t produce results overnight. This will make you a more patient person. In addition, acupuncture has a calming effect that can last days, weeks or even months in some patients.

7.       It will remind you that you have the power to heal yourself

Acupuncture isn’t a magic pill; it doesn’t add or subtract anything but rather prompts your body to do what it already knows how to do. It reminds you that you have the power to heal yourself. By using a therapy like acupuncture, which embraces rather than ignores our innate healing capacity, you demonstrate you believe in yourself. We all have this amazing capability!

I absolutely love my profession. It is amazing to watch patients come into my office in pain and leave nearly pain free. Patients come in with overwhelming stress, tension in their back and shoulders, and with headaches that have been lasting for days and leave completely calm and serene. It is as if my patients come walking through my office doors with fifty pounds of extra weight strapped to their backs, but are able to leave pounds lighter then when they came in. The power of Chinese Medicine never ceases to amaze me.  Just this past weekend, I was introduced to a woman who works for the Fire Department of New York. I was surprised and impressed to learn that the NY fire fighters get regular acupuncture treatments for lung damage and other health issues they sustained during the WTC attacks on 9/11.

Since moving to Columbus, Ohio, it has been a slow uphill hike to educate more and more people on the benefits of Acupuncture.  I am thrilled that so many people seem open to the idea of giving Acupuncture a try, but many still seem unsure or skeptical it will work. I will continue my journey of spreading the word and educating patients as well as other health practitioners on how Acupuncture can naturally treat so many conditions that affect us all. We are all on a journey whether we are conscious of our path or not. Sometimes we may stray from our plan but with lots of focus and dedication we can pick back up where we left off and continue moving forward. So I ask you…what’s your journey?

Stay tuned my next blog will be about how to fight those winter blues…hang tight Spring is not far away!