At our Gainesville, Florida offices, Harmony Point Acupuncture offers integrative Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal medicine and therapeutic yoga for a wide variety of conditions. We are fully licensed Acupuncture Physicians serving all of North Central Florida.
Acupuncture: Common Questions and Answers
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a technique which uses traditional theories of Chinese medicine practiced since ancient times. Acupuncture treatments balance the flow of “Qi” (chee). “Qi” is a life force that circulates in the body according to a variety of pathways.An acupuncture practitioner uses needles to manipulate specific points on the body where the Qi is most accessible. Treatments may also involve warming of the acupuncture points using the herb artemisius bulgaris, or mugwort.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Since acupuncture works by restoring the body’s own natural balance, it is potentially beneficial to any health condition. Acupuncture is best used as a preventative medicine to correct inbalances before they lead to disease. However, many patients do not seek acupuncture until they are experiencing considerable physical discomfort. An acupuncturist will address emotional issues that accompany any physical ailment, thereby creating an integrated approach to patient health.
Patients can receive relief from a wide variety of conditions including: anxiety, depression, back pain, neck pain, dismenorhea, hot flashes, headaches, injury, infertility, impotence and chronic fatigue. See Acupuncture for Specific Conditions to learn more about the health benefits of acupuncture treatments.
We also specialize in women’s health. We are the primary acupuncture clinic in North Florida offering the specific protocols that have been determined to substantially increase the success of IVF treatments. We work in conjunction with the Shands Fertility Clinic in offering these protocols. We also work with doctors, midwives, women and their families in treating conditions which arise during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, post-partum and breastfeeding.
HOW DOES AN ACUPUNCTURE PHYSICIAN MAKE A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLAN?
An increasingly sophisticated understanding of the pathways through which this force circulates in the body aids the acupuncture practitioner in determining which points to use when developing a treatment plan.
IS ACUPUNCTURE COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENTS?
Yes! Acupuncture is a perfect adjunct and can enhance the effectiveness of many other medical treatments. Acupuncture can be very effective in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, or in assisting in preparation for and recovery following surgery. If an acupuncturist suspects a serious medical condition, such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, she or he will refer the patient to an M.D. for evaluation.
DO YOU AUGMENT ACUPUNCTURE WITH OTHER TREATMENTS?
Yes, acupuncture is a part of the comprehensive medical approach developed in China and Japan over thousands of years. This medical tradition continues to be updated by modern research and clinical practice. A vital component of this tradition is the use of herbal medical formulas to treat specific conditions and imbalances in the body. We are pleased to offer herbal formulas that meet the highest standards of quality. It is important to have your herbal formulas determined by qualified practitioners that can prescribe exactly what is required by your current condition.
There are other treatment approaches that can be highly effective when combined with acupuncture. These include herb formulas, therapeutic yoga and dietary advice.
