Acupuncture originated in China over 3,000 years ago and, along with herbal medicine, has been used as a major form of medical treatment for many health conditions all over the world. According to Chinese medicinal principles, energy (also known as “chi”) flows through the body along different channels or “meridians”. When the body is in balance, energy flows uninhibitedly and the body flourishes. When imbalances occur—which can be due to one’s lifestyle, diet or emotional stress—the energy becomes blocked and medical problems can arise.

Through the use of very fine needles at strategic points along the body, acupuncture is able to address the imbalances by unblocking the disrupted energy flow. Once the energy flows uninhibitedly, the body returns to balance and medical problems resolve.

What to Expect During Your Visit

During each acupuncture visit, we conduct a thorough health intake to determine the appropriate course of action for each individual. Treatments are tailored to meet the specific needs of our patients. The beauty of acupuncture is that no two people are treated alike—even if diagnosed with the same medical condition.

Does It Hurt?

At Family Acupuncture & Herbs of Reading, we customize each treatment to suit the needs of our patients. For those who are needle-sensitive, we use very fine needles which are nearly painless. Typical sensations one might feel during a treatment are tingling, warmth, pressure or a dull ache. On occasion, some points can be more sensitive than others, but generally, most people find the treatments to be very comfortable and leave feeling very relaxed. If during your treatment you are feeling uncomfortable, we will adjust the treatment to put you at ease.

How Successful Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is very successful at treating a wide variety of chronic and acute conditions. The success is determined by many factors including a person’s over-all health, and the duration and severity of the condition. Typically, conditions that have been longer lasting will take longer to resolve than those that have not been present as long. Although we can’t guarantee we will be able to help every condition, we will provide you with our honest assessment of your situation, give you realistic expectations, and deliver high quality services.