Thousands of years old and effective for a wide range of conditions, acupuncture is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of sterile filiform needles into the body at various points along pathways known as meridians. 

Specific points and meridians treated depends upon your condition, which is diagnosed by your acupuncturist via intake, pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and palpation.

These ultra-thin needles have been shown to reduce inflammation, lower cortisol levels, increase range of motion, and alleviate pain.

In classical Chinese medical texts, there are actually nine needles utilized for acupuncture - and not all of them are inserted into the body.

With a Japanese metal needle called a Teishin, acupuncture points and meridians can be treated without penetrating the skin to achieve the same results of reducing inflammation, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, and alleviating pain.

This style of treatment is great for anyone sensitive to or afraid of needles, younger children, patients with medical trauma, and others.

Another modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), moxibustion involves the burning of the dried, ground herb mugwort on or above the body at select acupuncture points.

This warming therapy encourages blood flow, boosts energy, aids with digestion, alleviates pain, and has even been shown to flip a fetus from breech position before birth - a treatment we offer called Breech Moxibustion.

Moxibustion has an earthy, incense-like scent and produces a light amount of smoke.

In TCM, the ear is used as a microsystem to diagnose and treat a wide variety of issues from insomnia and anxiety to physical pain and allergies. At Genki, we offer ear seeding as well as auricular acupuncture.

Ear seeds are small, adhesive seeds that apply mild pressure to select acupressure points on the ears and can be left on for several days. Our ear seeding sessions can incorporate acupressure, Teishin, and Tui Na massage techniques for a personalized, non-invasive treatment. Regular ear seeds are an opaque, light tan color - we offer gold or silver options on clear adhesive, too!

Auricular acupuncture treatments, while shorter and simpler than a full acupuncture appointment, still pack a punch. Studies show effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal pain, regulating the nervous system, and managing migraines as well as assisting with substance abuse withdrawal and PTSD.