Treatments
At Rochester Acupuncture, we draw on Chinese medicine and biotherapeutic drainage with an emphasis on supporting the body’s natural capacity for balance and recovery. Treatment is individualized and may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, nutrition, and lifestyle guidance.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is a system of healing that has been developed and practiced for more than 3,000 years. It includes acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, as well as heat therapy, breathing exercises and meditation, therapeutic massage, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling.
We see each person as a unique individual. Diagnosis and treatment plans are therefore tailored to each person’s needs, circumstances, and goals.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves placing very thin, sterile, single-use needles at selected points on the body. Most people rest comfortably for about 20 to 40 minutes while the needles are in place.
Acupuncture is often sought for pain, stress-related concerns, and many other health issues. It is generally a gentle and relaxing experience, and even people who are initially unsure about needles often find treatment comfortable.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion uses the warmth produced by dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on selected acupuncture points. Many people experience it as a pleasant, gentle warming sensation.
In Chinese medicine, moxibustion is traditionally used to warm the body, support circulation, and complement acupuncture treatment. It can be particularly helpful when warmth is desired for areas such as the knees, elbows, or other joints.
Herbology
Herbal medicine, also known as herbalism or botanical medicine, is based on the use of plants or plant extracts that may be taken internally or applied to the skin. It has remained an important form of medicine throughout history, with a written tradition extending back thousands of years.
Chinese herbal medicine combines an understanding of the physical actions of plants with a traditional understanding of how formulas may support the body’s patterns of balance and function. Formulas are selected according to the individual and may be used alongside acupuncture and other aspects of care.
Biotherapeutic Drainage
Biotherapeutic Drainage is an approach intended to support the body’s natural processes of elimination and regulation while encouraging the healthy functioning of organs, tissues, and glands.
In this approach, attention is given to the body’s systems of circulation, elimination, and recovery. Treatment is individualized and designed to support the body’s own rhythms rather than force them.