A basic premise of acupuncture is that when there is emotional or physical pain, there is stagnation, and when there is no stagnation, there is no pain. The practitioner seeks to free patterns of holding and constraint, which can prod the person’s innate healing capacity. Fine, disposable needles are inserted into chosen acupuncture points, which can be seen as gateways into the energetic landscape of the body. Often adjunct techniques like gua sha, moxabustion, cupping, and massage are used to further the effectiveness of the treatment. For people unfamiliar with acupuncture, the following is a list of some of the conditions that it can help with, according to the World Health Organization:

Anxiety and depression • Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis • Back/Neck/Shoulder pain and Sciatica • Tendonitis and overuse injuries • Anxiety / Depression • Headaches and Migraines • Colds and Flu / Sinus Infections / Bronchitis • Constipation and Diarrhea / Acid Reflux • High Blood Pressure • PMS / Dysmenorrhea / Menopausal Symptoms • Morning Sickness • Shingles and post-herpetic pain