What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the major components of the system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" (homeostasis) and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy), along pathways known as meridians. It is believed that there are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians and that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect them.
What does it feel like?
Acupuncture needles are metallic, sterile, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. After the first needle is inserted, most people realize there’s really nothing to it! Sometimes you are energized by an acupuncture treatment, while other times you feel deeply relaxed.
Is there any bleeding?
Most of the time there is no bleeding. Occasionally there may be a small amount of bleeding, however, the needles are too fine to damage the tissue enough to create much bleeding. The careful placement of the needles helps to minimize this risk.
How long does it take to feel better?
After a treatment you should feel better immediately, or within the next 72 hours. Treatments that deal with pain are often felt right away, where as internal imbalances will take hold over time. Generally speaking, you will feel better overall, and have an amplified sense of well-being and relaxation after an acupuncture session.
A course of treatments is 4-12 sessions, either weekly or twice a week depending on the severity. The amount of time it takes to begin to encourage the body to stay in-balance will often depend on how long you have been experiencing the problem. Generally speaking, the longer you have been suffering from any condition, the longer it may take to bring the body back to homeostasis. However, it should only take only one to two sessions to begin to feel the benefits of a treatment, and begin feeling better. Diet, lifestyle, mental and spiritual health as well as patient compliance all play a role in the healing process.
It is important to understand that acupuncture treatments are cumulative. This means that after your first treatment, you should feel some relief, but your body may return to feeling the same as it did before within a few days or weeks. This is why it’s important to continue scheduling treatments that are close enough together that the body does not have a chance to repeat its old pattern. With each treatment, the results should "hold" longer and longer, until we have been able to get the message to your system that it is desirable to be balanced, in homeostasis, and symptom-free. Because your body has been used to being out of balance and in a "rut," so to speak, it requires repeated messages to move out of the rut it has grown accustomed to, and into a place of balanced health. If the rut is deep, it will take longer and more treatments before your body is able to hold onto this new message and pattern.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
You will probably be surprised to find out the wide variety of conditions that acupuncture can treat. Though the most common reason to visit an acupuncturist is for pain relief, there are hundreds of conditions that a qualified Acupuncturist can treat effectively. The World Health Organization lists 40 conditions, which may effectively be treated by Chinese medical methods. These include, but are not limited to:
Infections: Colds and Flu, Bronchitis, Hepatitis
Internal: Hypoglycemia, Asthma, High Blood Pressure, Ulcers, Colitis, Indigestion, Hemorrhoids, Diarrhea, Constipation, Diabetes
Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat: Deafness, Ringing in Ears, Earaches, Poor Eyesight, Dizziness, Sinus Infection, Sore Throat, Hay Fever
Dermatological: Eczema, Acne, Herpes
Musculo-Skeletal + Neurological: Arthritis, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Back Pain, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Stiff Neck, Bell's Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Headache, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Polio, Sprains
Genito-Urinary + Reproductive: Impotence, Infertility, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Vaginitis, Irregular Period, Cramps, Morning Sickness
Mental-Emotional: Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Insomnia
With our 20+ years of experience, we are able to treat most conditions presented, even if there is no western diagnosis or it is some kind of mystery. Acupuncture has the amazing capacity to help the body find homeostasis, and begin to repair itself.
Definitions and Theory
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system that was documented in China by the 3rd century B.C. TCM is grounded in the belief that the root cause of illnesses, not their symptoms, must be treated. In modern-day terms, TCM is holistic in its approach; it views a person in their entirety - body, mind, spirit, and emotions - as part of a whole rather than loosely connected pieces to be treated individually.
Among the components of TCM are acupuncture, herbal and nutritional therapy, physical exercises, meditation, and massage.
The theory of Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang is the most fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and it is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment. The earliest reference to Yin and Yang is in the I Ching (Book of Changes) in approximately in 700 BC. In this work, all phenomena are said to be reduced to Yin-Yang.
The familiar Yin-Yang diagram shows a dynamic state of balance. This is due to the fact that Yin and Yang are never static, but rather in a state of changing balance. The movement represents the continual change in your body, life, earth, and the universe. This movement is easily seen in a single 24-hour day, the seasons in a year, spinning of the earth and rotation of the sun, as well of the movement of the planets and moon - all traveling round and round, curving back in a circular motion that repeats itself at some point in time to infinity.
When balanced amidst this flow, your body is healthy. When one of these energies becomes out of balance you begin to see the symptoms, or dis-ease, that results from the imbalance trying to find its way back to center or homeostasis.
For example, when Yang becomes excess or Yin becomes deficient you will see signs of heat or fire such as hot flashes, headaches, tension, restless sleep, heartburn, chronic pain and inflammation, skin eruptions, dryness, and infections. On the other hand, when Yin becomes excess or Yang becomes deficient you will see signs of cold or damp such as bloating, edema, feeling cold, watery stool, sluggishness, feeling heavy, chronic congestion and slow metabolism.
Furthermore, Yin and Yang are opposite yet interdependent energies. In other words Yin and Yang cannot exist without the other; they are never separate. For example, night and day form a Yin-Yang pair. (Night is Yin and day is Yang.) Night looks, and is, very different than day, yet it is impossible to have one without the other. Both create a totality, a complete whole.
Yang
Heaven, Sun, Light, Fire, Time, Energy, Activity, Generates, Expansion, Rising, Above, East, South, Male
Yin
Earth, Moon, Darkness, Water, Space, Matter, Rest, Grows, Contraction, Descending, Below, West, North, Female
This inseparable and opposite relationship is also reflected in the small dots within each of the two energies (represented by black and white). This symbolizes that there is always some Yin (black) within Yang (white) and vice versa. For example: day is Yang and night is Yin, but morning is Yang within Yang, afternoon is Yang turning to Yin, evening before midnight Yin within Yin, and the time after midnight is Yang within Yin or Yin turning into Yang (sunrise). A single day is seen in the symbol of Yin/Yang, as well as a single year. The darkest (most Yin) season is Winter and the brightest (most Yang) season is Summer. Spring is Yin turning to Yang, and Autumn is Yang turning to Yin. No matter where you bisect the diameter of the whole circle, each half will always contain both Yin and Yang. As is in life, nothing is ever simply black or white.
In summary, there is a dynamic flow in the universe, the environment, and in our lives. We are constantly adapting or moving towards homeostasis, automatically and continuously balancing and rebalancing. Think, for a moment, about how life is always changing, moving, and flowing with stresses, challenges, joys, good days, bad days, cold weather, warm weather and so on. This is not a static state of being, and this is the beauty of Yin/Yang as it’s seen in our body. When in balance, life is easy, things flow, we feel good, our digestion works well, there’s no pain, we sleep well, wake refreshed and feel happy. When we feel badly or unwell, however, this is a signal that our Yin/Yang is out of balance. Life then becomes more difficult and we are continually stressed, tense, and irritable. We are not sleeping, in pain, and suffering in other ways as symptoms of our dis-ease continue to appear and make us uncomfortable in an effort to get our attention. At the most basic and deep level, acupuncture seeks to balance Yin and Yang and help restore your body to homeostasis.
Qi
Pronounced "chee," this is the vital, life-energy that animates your body. Qi flows throughout your body in the meridians and protects it from illness, pain and disease. This is what the yogis refer to as “prana”. And this is what the needles in acupuncture seek to access, and redirect, in order to help the body rebalance.
Meridians
Meridians are pathways throughout the body that are like rivers. Instead of water, these rivers flow with the energy of Qi. And, like a river flows to provide nourishment and life-giving water to animals, plants and people, so does the meridian flow to provide nourishment for our bodies, bringing life-giving Qi to every organ, gland, muscle, tissue and cell of our body. Each meridian flows to a specific organ in our bodies and is thus named after the organ it flows through. All the meridians are balanced, some being Yin and an equal amount being Yang. These are what the yogis refer to as “nadis”.
The organs and emotions
It is interesting to note that in Traditional Chinese Medicine many of the organs are associated with different emotions. Examples include:
Lungs: Grief
Spleen: Worry
Heart: Joy
Kidneys: Fear
Liver: Anger
A disproportion of any one emotion can cause an imbalance of the associated organ and its related channels.
Microneedling and Nanoneedling: How does it work
Microneedling Therapy also called Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), and Percutaneous (through the skin) Collagen Induction (PCI), is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of the MD Needle Pen.
The mechanical action of the pen allows the needles to puncture the skin and create a controlled injury at a specific depth. Each puncture creates a channel that triggers the bodies natural healing process to fill these micro wounds by producing new collagen and elastin in the papillary dermis. In addition, new capillaries are formed for improved blood supply. In addition, this increases product and serum absorption by 3000%.
With Microneedling, the top layer of the skin is parted without being damaged, leaving the skin intact. It does not “burn” your skin like peels or more invasive lasers. The needle penetration depth can be adjusted from 0.25mm to 2.50mm into the skin depending on the area of the body and the skin condition being treated. Using skin needling consistently will trigger the bodies repair process until the desired level of skin rejuvenation is achieved.
Most people get microneedling on their face, but you can also get it on your legs, back, neck or other areas where you notice damaged or aging skin. You’ll probably need multiple treatments to achieve your desired results but microneedling makes your skin glow after just one treatment and continues to boost the appearance of your complexion for months afterward.
Nanoneedling on the other hand works a little different. It does use the same type of oscillating motion to treat the skin but the cartridge encompasses 81 silicone tips. These microscopic hair-like cones separate the cells within the epidermis to allow active products to be pushed into the skin. Nano needling only affects the epidermis, treating within the upper .15 mm of the skin. The benefits of this serum infusion treatment include pigmentation reduction, increased cell turnover, skin rejuvenation and an immediate glow with no downtime. This treatment can be done weekly to exfoliate the skin.
Often the two are combined together to expedite results. Microneedling can only be done once every 4-weeks where as nano needling can be done weekly.
Does it hurt?
The great news is it is nearly painless and the needle depth is easily adjustable for sensitive areas near the bone or around the lips, while still giving great results. Nanoneedling is completely painless. Both are actually quite relaxing!
how many sessions do I need?
This will vary greatly depending on age, skin type, how your respond to treatment, underlying issues, and lifestyle. That being said I recommend a minimum of 3 sessions over 3 months, alternating with nanoneedling in between.
To treat deep wrinkles specifically and some scars, you will likely need more than the 3–4 initial treatments spaced out over the course of a few months. In addition, because deep wrinkles are usually present on individuals who are older, you might need to space out your treatments more. This is because as you age, your skin naturally heals itself slower, so you will need to give your skin more time to heal after each treatment. I can cater your series just for you and your skin.
How long will my results last?
The effects of the initial round of microneedling treatments last on average between four to six weeks, for most people. Usually you will see the best results with bi-monthly sessions (alternating micro and nanoneedling), and often it takes 3-months to really start to notice your improvements.
You will not see the full results of your sessions until 2-weeks after treatment, though, especially with nano-needling, you will have a rosy glow immediately following your session.
The good news is, once maximum results have been reached, the maintenance treatments are generally anywhere between six to twelve months apart. I have heard of some people going as long as 18 months between treatments. That’s pretty awesome! However, remember that the effects of microneedling and nanoneedling are not permanent, so you will need to continue having treatments in order to maintain those effects. Think of it as a form of self-care, just like anything else you do for your health and beauty, it must be maintained.
Microneedling and Nanoneedling aftercare Q&A
Does my face peel after microneedling? Nanoneedling?
Usually your face is just red after microneedling. Depending on your skin type it will last usually 8-48 hours. However in some cases, as a result of the increased turnover of skin cells, the treated area may peel and flake for three to five days after microneedling.
Nano needling, since it is not puncturing the skin, usually leaves more of a rosy glow with less redness. Nevertheless, the guidelines below should be followed after your treatment.
what can i use on my face after microneedling?
Please use only the serum you are given after the treatment. Oil based moisturizers are not to be used for 48 hours. Usually after the first 24 hours you can go back to your regular routine. It is advised NOT to use soap for the first 24 hours. Just wash your face with warm water.
Can I wear makeup after microneedling?
It’s important that you wait at least 24 hours after the session before using makeup on your face. It depends on the individual how long it will take for their skin to recover and be ready for makeup, but it is typically advised to wait a minimum of 24 to 72 hours before going back to your regular makeup routine.
Can I exercise after microneedling?
The blood flow to the treated regions is increased when you exercise right after your microneedling session, which makes your skin more sensitive, painful, and swollen. Patients are recommended to wait anywhere between 24 and 48 hours after treatment for the skin to completely recover before exercising.
Can I drink alcohol after microneedling?
Avoid drinking alcohol for seven days after your treatment. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates the body. Dehydration will significantly slow down the repair of your skin.
So, STAY HYDRATED and avoid the sun
Because your skin is sensitive and dehydration slows repair, it’s important to stay hydrated and stay out of the sun for the first 24-48 hours.
What are the serums used for microneedling and how do they work?
APSTEM® - STEM CELL BUILDER - PING GUO
Biomedical Actions: Promote The Reproduction Of Facial Cells Under The Epidermis
Only those of the famous Uttwiller Spatlauber apple trees of Switzerland are scientifically proven to activate the epidermal cells of the skin to start self-renewing at a rate similar to that of early youth. This action thwarts the skin from developing lines and wrinkles, sagging, and appearing unhealthy or dull.
Our Stem Cells are natural, pure, and without preservatives. They are among the most potent extracts of the sought-after apple stem cells, and have been combined with other effective and natural compounds to create optimum results. Our experts have formulated a daily-use serum that includes the natural ingredient PhytoCellTec, an extract of the Uttwiller Spatlauber fruit. They also have added several other skin-boosting compounds – (also chemical free and natural) – to our serum, including fatty acids and rosehip seed oil high in antioxidants such as vitamins A and E.
This is our base formula and used in ALL the micro and nanoneedling session along with several of the formulas below.
COLLAGEN XG+® - COLLAGEN BUILDER - XIANG GU
Biomedical Actions: Natural Collagen & Elastin Builder
Collagen XG+® (Xiāng Gū) contains a shiitake mushroom extract that thwarts collagen deterioration and improves the organization, quality, and structure of collagen, all of which are linked to a firmer and smoother complexion.
The amount of collagen in our skin decreases, as we age, and enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) increase. This leads to signs of again, such as reduction of firmness or roughness. Collagen+™ acts as a strong anti-oxidant that lessens damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as lipid peroxidation. It assists with type I collagen synthesis and increases PLOD1 levels, which adds to protein quality while reducing carbamylation, the degradation of protein, to many is considered a hallmark of aging. It also reduces degradation of collagen by MMPs and glycation, the bonding of sugar molecules to protein.
A study, over 56 days with 19 female volunteers aged between 41 and 55, reported a formula with 2%. (We use 5%)
Those who applied Collagen XG+® twice daily reported improvement of firmness and a reduction of neck folds, along with a smoother appearance of the décolleté, neck, and face, and a decrease in the appearance of roughness. Also noted was an improvement in skin recovery after distension, a quality associated with younger skin, which means the skin bounces back quickly.
Key Benefits
Encourages firmer appearance of neck, face, and décolleté
Increases the synthesis of collagen
Decreases the deterioration of collagen
Improves the quality of collagen
Prevents the degradation of matrix proteins, such as collagen and elastin
Acts as an anti-oxidant
ELASTIN FL+® - ELASTIN BUILDER - FUL LING
Biomedical Actions: Natural Collagen & Elastin Builder.
Elastin FL+™ is a multi-purposed active component that builds skin thickness, microcirculation, and radiance. And, it lessens the appearance of wrinkles characteristic of aging. It is best for menopause or mature skin. It rolls back aging’s effects in skin microcirculation, radiance, skin thickness, and firmness, resulting in a younger and more radiant skin.
OCULUS INFRAORBITAL® - HAI ZAO
Biomedical Actions: Helps clear bilirubin and fluid buildup around the eyes. Gets Rid Of Eye bags, Dark Circles & Puffiness.
Oculus InfraOrbital® is a new cosmetic active that provides complete care of the eye contour area by lessening fluid extravasation and increasing degradation of bilirubin. It also improves collagen and elastic synthesis and decreases formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) for a younger and brighter look.
LUMOS BRIGHTEN® - ZAO LEI
Biomedical Actions: Clears melanin pigmentation from the skin. Gets Rid Of Age Spots and Melasma
Lumos® is a new cosmetic active that acts on various stages of melanin production and deposition in the skin to improve luminosity and decrease visibility of hyperpigmented areas to even out the skin tone. Providing a brightening effect, this extract homogenizes skin complexion by reducing the melanin content, contrast, and size of dark spots.
*NOTE: At the moment these products are only available in 1ml sizes to take home following treatment. If demand is high enough I will formulate more to purchase for at home daily use.