Fine needles, carefully placed
A cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Your acupuncturist takes a full history, explains what to expect, and checks in with you throughout.
- Acupuncture hours
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- Tues, Wed, Fri
- 9am – 6pm
- Saturday
- 8am – 2pm
- Your practitioner
- Vanessa Grimes Lic.Ac. · Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)
How acupuncture is understood
The practice of acupuncture is based on the idea that energy channels, called meridians, exist beneath the skin. Meridians are similar to an electrical grid that branches out and connects the surface of the body with the internal organs. If a meridian becomes blocked, it may result in pain or other symptoms of poor health. Meridian obstructions may be caused by physical or emotional trauma, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, or the stress of everyday life.
By opening up the channel the Qi can flow properly and balance is restored in the body.
What happens in a session
The acupuncturist will take your pulse, examine your tongue, and discuss your medical history to help determine which energy channels are blocked. Small needles are inserted into specific points along the channel to move the energy, or Qi (pronounced chee).
Acupuncture is performed with single-use sterile needles. Most people feel little more than a brief pinch as a needle is placed, and many find the treatment itself deeply relaxing. You can read more about what an acupuncture needle actually feels like before a first visit. Once the needles are in place you will rest on the treatment table for 15 to 30 minutes. Mild bruising or short-lived soreness at the needle sites is the most common after-effect. Tell your acupuncturist about any medical conditions, medications or bleeding disorders before your first treatment.
- Needles
- Single-use and sterile
- On the table
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Most common after-effect
- Mild bruising or brief soreness
- Before your first visit
- Tell us about medications and conditions
What people come to us for
People most often come to us for help with:
- Muscular and joint pain, including acupuncture for ongoing low back pain and neck pain
- Acupuncture for migraines and tension headaches
- Acupuncture for anxiety and everyday stress, low mood and difficulty sleeping
- Digestive discomfort, bloating and indigestion
- Menstrual discomfort and symptoms of menopause
- Seasonal allergies — see acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Sciatica, hip pain, knee and joint pain and heel pain
- Arm and jaw complaints — tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and TMJ and jaw pain
- Widespread pain and fatigue — see acupuncture for fibromyalgia, or browse all our articles
- Recovery and general wellbeing alongside their regular healthcare
Acupuncture is a complementary therapy. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from your doctor, and we will always encourage you to keep your GP or specialist informed about your care.
Book a session, or ask us first
If you are not sure whether acupuncture is the right starting point, say so when you get in touch and we will help you choose. Rates are on the rates page.
or call us on
978.524.4888