Acupuncture Therapy
The Non-Surgical, "No Pill"
Solution To Pain Relief
Acupuncture is a non-surgical, non-pharmacological modality that uses fine, sterile needles to stimulate the body’s nervous system to release neurotransmitters and endorphins and regulate signals to effectuate health and healing.
Auricular acupuncture involves stimulating specific points in the ear to promote health and healing. In traditional Chinese medicine, the ear serves as a micro-map of the body. While just about everything can be treated through points in the ear, auricular acupuncture is best known for treating addiction.
Conditions Treated
What Conditions Does Acupunture Treat?
All Forms of Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons for people to seek acupuncture treatment.
Neuropathy
Acupuncture can help restore sensation in hands and feet.
Hormonal Imbalances
Acupuncture can help with hormonal imbalances, such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, infertility, and menopausal symptoms.
Digestive Issues
Acupuncture can help with digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, gastritis, and colitis.
Pregnancy
Acupuncture can help with morning sickness, back pain, constipation, increasing blood flow to the uterus, and more.
Seasonal Allergies
Acupuncture can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Nausea & Vomiting
Acupuncture can help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or surgery and pregnancy.
Other Conditions
Acupuncture can also help with asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sinusitis, stroke rehabilitation, tendinitis, tennis elbow, and more.
Holistic Healing
Skeptical of Acupuncture & Other Holistic Methods?
"I remember being told, ‘you have to believe in acupuncture for it to actually work.’ Well, I didn’t believe in acupuncture and I had an extreme fear of needles. So how did a skeptic with a fear of needles end up becoming a Doctor of Acupuncture? …a literal pain in the ass!”
Dr. Lauren Kaplan
Faq
Your Questions About Acupuncture Answered
Acupuncture is a non-surgical, non-pharmacological modality that uses fine, sterile needles to stimulate the body’s nervous system to release neurotransmitters and endorphins and regulate signals to effectuate health and healing.
Acupuncture is a versatile therapy used to effectively treat a range of conditions, particularly for pain management and stress relief. It is well-supported for chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain from osteoarthritis, and tension headaches. Additionally, it is commonly used for migraines, fibromyalgia, and postoperative pain. Beyond pain management, acupuncture helps with neurological issues like peripheral neuropathy, chronic tension-type headaches, and stroke rehabilitation.
This therapy also addresses mental health challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and insomnia, and supports women’s health by alleviating menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, and even aiding fertility treatments. Gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome and chemotherapy-induced nausea are other areas where acupuncture is beneficial. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture enhances blood flow, reduces inflammation, and triggers the body’s natural healing mechanisms, making it a valuable component of holistic health care.
Western clinical trials have proposed a number of theories as to how acupuncture works including: increasing endorphin production for pain relief, promoting circulation, modulating anti-inflammatory and immune responses, stimulating collagen and more. If you think of the body’s nervous system as a large electrical circuit board, acupuncture works to modulate signals to ensure smooth transmission, allowing the sympathetic (“fight or flight” response) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest” response) nervous systems to be balanced.
To the contrary, most people report that acupuncture is painless and relaxing. One can experience a quick “moving” sensation, movement between various needles or a dull, heavy sensation upon insertion. Occasionally, a needle may feel uncomfortable when first inserted or leave a bruise when removed, but needles should not be painful. Cupping feels more like a deep massage on a specific point or set of points, but is typically painless.
During your consultation, Dr. Lauren will perform an extensive review your medical history and discuss your chief complaint. If she feels you can benefit from acupuncture, she will outline a treatment plan customized to your specific needs. Consultations last approximately 20 minutes. Acupuncture treatments last approximately 30-45 minutes. We suggest wearing loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up and pant legs that can be rolled above the knee or shorts. When your back or abdomen need to be exposed, you will be provided with a paper gown to ensure your comfort and privacy. Please be sure to eat a snack about 15 minutes prior to treatment.
Restoration Health is considered an out-of-network provider and can provide you with a completed superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement or to be applied to your out of pocket deductible. Acupuncture is considered a covered medical expense for most health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) plans and HSA and FSA Visa and debit card payments are accepted.
During your consultation, Dr. Lauren will review your medical history and discuss your chief complaint. If she feels you can benefit from acupuncture, she will outline a treatment plan customized to your specific needs. Generally speaking, chronic conditions require more treatment than acute conditions.
Acupuncturists receive extensive training. The state of New Jersey requires ALL of the following in order to become a licensed acupuncturist:
- A 4-year Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
- Graduation from an acupuncture program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), which is typically a Master of Science program that takes approximately 4 years to complete
- NCCAOM Board Certification, which requires passage of clean needle technique, a Bioscience Board exam, a Foundation of Oriental Medicine Board exam, an Acupuncture & Point Location Board exam, and an Herbology Board exam if seeking licensure for herbs.
You can confirm an acupuncturist is licensed and in good standing by going to www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acu.