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ACUPUNCTURE

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ACUPUNCTURE

 

Acupuncture is a therapy of East Asian origin dating back more than 2,500 years. It involves inserting thin, single-use, sterile needles into the skin to balance energy, promote healing, and prevent disease. Many studies have shown that acupuncture provides a wide range of health benefits and can be utilized as a stand alone therapy, or as an adjunct to other forms of treatment. This form of medicine treats the whole system rather than its individual parts, harnessing the existing energy (Qi) to assist the body in healing itself. This energy is accessed via acupuncture points located on meridians and evokes a natural healing response through various physiological systems.

 

At Serenity, our acupuncturists also use other Traditional Chinese Medicine healing techniques such as tie-in (needle-free acupuncture), electroacupuncture, auriculotherapy, fire cupping, gua sha (gentle scraping to release toxins), moxibustion, infrared heat therapy, and Chinese dietary therapy. 

 

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CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE:

Digestive

  • Acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Head and Face Disorders

  • Bell’s Palsy

  • Dental pain

  • Headaches

  • Meniere’s Disease

  • Migraines

  • TMJ

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

Musculoskeletal Issues

  • Low back pain

  • Sciatica

  • Neck pain

  • Joint/limb pain

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Repetitive stress injuries

  • Sports injuries

Neurological

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Post Stroke Paralysis

  • Shingles

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Psycho-Emotional

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Depression

  • Insomnia/sleep disturbance

  • Mental health

Reproductive Health

  • Female and male infertility

  • Hot flashes

  • Malposition of fetus/breech presentation

  • Menopause

  • Morning sickness

  • Preparation and stimulation of labor

  • Premenstrual Syndrom (PMS)

  • Sexual dysfunction

  • Women's health

Respiratory

  • Allergic rhinitis

  • Bronchitis

  • Common cold

  • Cough

  • Sinusitis

Skin Conditions

  • Acne

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Rosacea

Urinary

  • Incontinence

  • Bed wetting

  • Bladder dysfunction

Other

  • Addiction

  • Autoimmune issues

  • Cardiovascular disorders

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

  • Diabetes

  • General well-being

  • Weight management

SPECIALIZED ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS

​Mother Roasting​ Postpartum

In Chinese Medicine, mother roasting, or zuo yuezi, is a traditional treatment promoting body-recovery after childbirth that includes closing the gates of birth that have been opened, repelling Wind and Cold from the uterus, while nourishing the Blood and Qi of the mother.   

 

Our Licensed Acupuncturists use moxa (mugwort burned over certain acupuncture points) to tonify points through heat, thereby “roasting” the mama. It feels wonderful and nourishing, a targeted penetrative warmth! For the first part of treatment women are face up, then either face down or on her side for the second part, closing her eyes and resting for about 30 minutes as the treatment is being applied.

 

Mother roasting helps with recovery from birth, to improve milk supply, prolapse (uterine, bladder, pelvic floor), fatigue, postpartum depression and anxiety. This treatment breathes new life into the Ming Men or “Life Gate” and Dan Tien or “Sea of Qi.” The optimal time to do this treatment is about 3-4 days postpartum, but beneficial at any point in the weeks and months following childbirth. It’s hard to get out of the house with a newborn, but this treatment will go a long way towards your physical, mental, and spiritual health as you begin the journey with your newborn.

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Please note: There are a few conditions that preclude a mom from getting "roasted", such as infection or the mother having an active fever. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please call to discuss.

​Cosmetic Acupuncture (currently unavailable)

Cosmetic Acupuncture rejuvenates, tones, and refreshes the face. The protocol can be done at any age, but is most often used starting in the 30's and up.  

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Tiny needles are inserted into the face, along with balancing body points, in a treatment course of 1-2 treatments per week spread out over 5-10 weeks. After this initial treatment course, which can last up to 10 years, the patient comes for maintenance every 6-8 weeks. Many women, particularly those in their 40s and up, have found this to be a satisfactory alternative to expensive cosmetic procedures such as botox and fillers. (Cosmetic acupuncture can be done along with targeted botox or fillers if that is what the patient chooses).  

 

A single session is an option for anyone at any age and is usually sought out for a special occasion such as wedding, reunions, or work event—but for the results to hold more permanently a person must undergo the series to activate the collagen deconstruction/reconstruction cycle. A modified protocol can help with acne.

 

Cosmetic Acupuncture lifts and smooths the forehead and tightens the jowls. It refreshes the lids and under the eyes (bags), plump the cheeks, soften wrinkles, and encourages youthful facial symmetry. Additionally, patients report sleeping well, feeling less anxious, and having better energy as a result of these treatments.  

Facial Cupping & Gua Sha (currently unavailable)​

Facial cupping and Gua Sha is used to soften tight muscles and tone attachments, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue, bring hydration and blood flow to the facial tissues, move deep inflammation to the skin surface for release, and drain excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. This therapy is a quick and easy, delivering some major lifting, plumping, and brightening.

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  • Stimulates collagen and elastin production, and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles.

  • Improves blood circulation to the face and strengthens vascular integrity.

  • Relaxes facial muscles and helps to tighten, tone, and thicken the skin.

  • Reduces inflammation and moves out stagnant lymph, toxins, and fluids.​

Breech Turn Moxibustion & Cupping

In Chinese Medicine, a technique called ‘moxibustion’ is applied to encourage a fetus in breech presentation to turn. Treatments for breech begin with cupping to help create extra space in the pelvic outlet for the baby to move. For moxibustion, an herbal cigar made of dried mugwort is burned over certain acupuncture points on the lower limbs. Your acupuncturist will send you home with your own moxa stick and instructions to continue the treatment at home.

 

Women with a breech presentation may seek treatment with moxibustion from 32–38 weeks but around 34 weeks of pregnancy is preferred. The baby at this stage is small enough to turn yet big enough to remain in the head-down position. There are usually increased fetal movements during the treatment and for a while afterwards. Generally, it is within the first week of treatment that malposition is corrected. If the baby has turned, moxibustion treatment can stop and mom can continue to prepare for labor with acupuncture treatments.

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Serenity Holistic Health requires approval from your attending physician before treatment is administered. Exclusion criteria apply for women with the following conditions:

  • Placenta previa

  • History of ante-partum hemorrhage

  • Multiple pregnancies

  • Known abnormality of the uterus or pelvis

  • History of premature labour or premature ruptured membranes

  • Umbilical prolapse

  • Deficiency of amniotic fluid

  • Rhesus antibodies

  • Known hydrocephalic fetus

Dragon Moxibustion​​​

Dragon Moxa is a very powerful form of moxibustion therapy used to boost Yang and Qi in the body. It is a face-down treatment that involves the burning of loose mugwort on slices of fresh ginger laid along the length of the spine. The moxa is then lit and allowed to burn, creating a pleasant warming sensation through out the body. This therapy is effective in boosting overall energy while enhancing immune function, especially in those who are immunocompromised.

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Benefits of Dragon Moxibustion include:

  • Enhances immune function

  • Promotes digestive health

  • Relieves pain

  • Supports reproductive health

  • Boosts energy levels

  • Improves sport performance

  • Maintains overall vitality

  • Releases emotional blocks

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This treatment is typically performed 2-4 times per year to maintain health and vitality, but may be performed more frequently for patients with advanced illness. 

Collagen Induction Therapy: Microneedling & Nanoneedling
(currently unavailable)​

Microneedling and nanoneedling are minimally invasive treatments designed to rejuvenate the skin utilizing a device with an oscillating, single use, disposable needle head.

 

Microneedling uses fine needles to create micro-channels (a type of controlled injury) into the dermal layer of the skin. These channels allow for more effective absorption of serums and triggers the body to create new collagen and elastin. Microneedling will naturally rejuvenate wrinkles without any painful surgery or injections and encourages serum topical absorption by 2000%. An initial course of microneedling is 4-6 treatments scheduled every four weeks. 

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Nanoneedling, also known as nanoneedling infusion, is a non-invasive, transepidermal serum delivery system. The more gentle ‘cousin’ of microneedling, nanoneedling is an exfoliation treatment using microscopic cones that separate dermal cells to deliver potent formulas deeper into the skin. Your skin will immediately appear more polished - hydrated, bright, and smoother - after just one treatment. When performed regularly, nano-infusion can improve hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and facial texture. There is little to no downtime after this treatment and it can be done as frequently as once a week. A quick and pain-free way to get an immediate glow!

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Nanoneedling is part of a microneedling session on the fragile, sensitive areas of the face, such as under the eyes. Nanoneedling can also plump the lips and help remove blackheads while also decreasing sagging and "bags" under the eyes. Stand-alone sessions can be done between microneedling appointments to reinforce the outcome of microneedling treatments. 

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Benefits of Collagen Induction Therapy include:

  • Kickstarts the collagen and elastin production process

  • Elevates overall texture of skin and minimizes the appearance of pores

  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 

  • Increases product absorption and boosts both circulation and hydration

  • Improves acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and brightens the surface of the skin

  • Stimulates your skin’s natural healing and cell renewal process

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Microneedling and nanoneedling are not dermabrasion or a chemical peel; the top layer of the skin remains in intact. These treatments use a medical-grade device approved for use by a licensed and specially certified practitioner, and is the only way to achieve the proper, optimal result. Microneedling cannot be properly done at home with a store-bought device. In the state of Illinois, microneedling can only be administered by a licensed doctor, PA, nurse, or acupuncturist and is not within the scope of practice for estheticians.

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