Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing known to mankind. It originated in China nearly five thousand years ago. Acupuncture treatment assists nature by influencing energy or Qi (pronounced Chee) in such a way that it may return to its natural flow and balance in a person. This allows body, mind and spirit to return to health. The influence is achieved by inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body called meridians where the energy and blood flows through the body. Each meridian point has been proven effective in the treatment of specific symptoms and disorders.

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that it is the vital life force - Qi that controls the workings of the main organs and systems of the body.  It is also Qi that gives your body the ability to talk, walk, think and dream. Qi must be flowing freely and in the correct strength and quality through each of the meridians for optimal health. It is, in fact, impossible to be ill in body, mind or spirit if the energy within the meridians is balanced and harmonious. In all illness the energy is out of balance. The pain, or symptom, is a distress signal notifying us of this imbalance, be it due to physical, mental or spiritual causes. Acupuncture adjusts the flow of Qi in the body leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or superabundant.  In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory is an integrated healing philosophy.  It is the oldest, professional, continually practiced, literate medicine in the world that originated over five thousand years ago and its system’s written literature stretches back almost 2,500 years. Currently ¼ of the world’s population makes use of it. One can say that modern Western and traditional Chinese medicine are two dominant medical systems in the world today.

Dr. Rona Bian begins your treatment with a 20 minutes  initial consultation followed by an acupuncture treatment. She uses four basic examinations which are asking, hearing, seeing and feeling to seek the cause of the body imbalance. It also involves a tongue and pulse diagnosis to assess your organs and overall health. She will then prescribe an individual treatment plan tailored specifically for you. Subsequent sessions last 30-45 minutes and usually include acupuncture and other TCM methods such as electro-acupuncture, herbology and cupping.

The number of treatment needed differs from person to person. For complex long-standing conditions, two treatments a week for a month may be recommended. For acute problems usually fewer visits are required, and for an illness that has become deeply seated, it will take a longer period of time to rectify

Yes. When performed by a competently trained, licensed professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. All licensed acupuncturists today use individually packaged, sterile, disposable needlesy so there is virtually no chance of infection or contagion.

Rona will explain the nature of your problem in Oriental medical terms and what treatment she is recommending.  She will tell you what benefits and risk there are to the proposed treatment and what other treatment options are available to you through her or by referral to another practitioner.

Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms.  This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of day. Generally, you should expect to feel better.