ACUPUNCTURE AND CUPPING

Unlock your body’s own healing power.

Acupuncture and cupping are ancient practices that carry a wealth of modern benefits, including stimulating your body’s natural ability to reduce pain and inflammation, calm the nervous system, promote health, and more. Wellness is within you, and Chee Dynamic can help you get it flowing. 

What is acupuncture?

A branch of traditional Chinese medicine in use for millennia, acupuncture targets specific locations on the body with very fine (and always sterilized) needles. It can release endorphins, increase circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation, and calm your nervous system.

Why should you do it?

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for many specific concerns, but it’s also effective at simply promoting overall health and well-being so you feel your best. Whether you have pain, stress, anxiety, or another challenge—or you want to amplify your wellness routine—acupuncture is a wonderful, natural option. Here are some of the things acupuncture can address:

  • Body aches and pains

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Sports injuries

  • Surgery preparation and recovery

  • Women’s health concerns, including perimenopause and menopause, fertility, pregnancy, IVF, and more

  • Enhancing athletic performance 

  • Digestive issues

  • Insomnia

  • Sinus congestion, respiratory conditions, and asthma

  • Long COVID and chronic fatigue

What can you expect during an acupuncture appointment?

Dr. Karin will first get to know you, your symptoms (if you have them), your medical history—and then talk about your goals. What do you want to achieve? What are you comfortable with in terms of treatments and medicines? Have you received acupuncture before? If so, what were the results? If not, are you anxious or fearful?

After learning about your needs, and your desired results, Dr. Karin will customize a plan for you with specific acupuncture points. Here’s what you can expect:

  • A brief physical exam. We need to look more closely at where you’re hurting, or where you want improvement. Dr. Karin will perform something called channel palpation, checking the acupuncture channels below your elbows and knees to determine where the needles should be placed.

  • Needle insertion. This isn’t painful, but you may feel a sensation of heaviness at the point; if you do feel pain or discomfort, tell Dr. Karin! She’ll remove or adjust the needle. Expect the needles to remain for 15-20 minutes.

  • Relaxation. Dr. Karin typically will leave the room while the needles are in place, so you can fully relax and experience the calming sensation so many people enjoy with acupuncture.

  • Needle removal. When the treatment is complete, the needles will be removed. This is painless as well.

  • Post-treatment discussion. We’ll talk about how you feel, your custom treatment plan, and any exercises or follow-up actions for you to take. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and offer your thoughts!

What is cupping?

As you might already know (or might have guessed, thanks to the name), cupping is a treatment where special cups are placed on the skin; the resulting suction can reduce inflammation and promote healing by improving blood flow. It’s often a perfect pairing with acupuncture, and world-class athletes have used both to enhance both performance and recovery.

Why should you do it?

Cupping is very effective for pain, especially in the neck, shoulder, and back. Benefits include:

  • Pain relief

  • Improved circulation in the treated areas

  • Detoxification

  • Relaxation

Are there side effects?

With cupping, patients can experience temporary skin discoloration (you might have seen this with swimmer Michael Phelps during the Olympics). Please make sure you are comfortable with the potential for these temporary marks on your skin. Sometimes patients also experience mild discomfort or soreness in the treated areas.

What to expect during cupping

Cupping is typically performed after an acupuncture session, once the needles have been removed. Dr. Karin will place lotion or oil on the skin and use glass or silicone cups to create a seal. Then she’ll gently move the cups over the treatment area to reduce pain and increase circulation.

Discover the benefits of acupuncture and cupping at Chee Dynamic!