Q. What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of hair-fine needles into acupoints, places on the body that have a demonstrated effect on regulating the body’s physiological processes. For example, certain acupoints can lower blood pressure and regulate the nervous system. Generally, the needles are retained from between 5 to 45 minutes depending on the patient’s condition.
Q. How does Chinese medicine work?
Chinese medicine works according to the principle of balance. Illness and its associated pain are seen as an imbalance in the body’s internal environment. Establishing balance through the use of acupuncture, herbs, proper diet, and lifestyle restores health.
Q. Why does acupuncture feel good?
Most people find acupuncture pleasant and leave a treatment feeling restored and more balanced. Some people may even fall asleep during a treatment.
Q. Why choose Chinese medicine?
With roots dating back to 5000 BC, Chinese Medicine is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, such as:
Addictions Eczema
Allergies Headaches
Anxiety Hemorrhoids
Arthritis Hormonal Changes
Back Pain Insomnia
Carpal Tunnel Joint and Neck Pain
Colds and Flu Premenstrual Syndrome
Digestive Disorders Sports Injuries
Depression Stress
People turn to Chinese medicine for many valid reasons. Some use Chinese medicine to treat their symptoms whether chronic or acute; they have pain and they want it to lessen and go away. Chinese medicine helps others manage a chronic illness such as arthritis.
Q. Who is the acupuncturist?
Andy Seplow is a licensed acupuncturist, medical herbalist, and nutritionist who has worked in the health care field for over ten years. He holds a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute, in Santa Cruz, California and a Masters Degree in Nutrition from Tufts University in Massachusetts. In addition, Andy was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa; and more recently, he provided volunteer acupuncture training to traditional Tibetan doctors in Nepal. He is a member of the American Holistic Medical Association. and maintains a private practice in Berkeley specializing in musculoskeletal, digestive, and immune system disorders..