Integrative Treatment in the Oakland Area

Oakland Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

The healing powers of acupuncture cannot be denied. This Traditional Chinese healing practice is over 3,000 years old and can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. The treatment promotes bodily functions and promotes our natural self-healing process by stimulating strategic sites on our body.

How it Works:

The most common acupuncture method in Oakland is the insertion of fine, sterile needles on acupoints across the body. Besides needles, an acupuncturist may also use electric stimulation,  infrared heat therapy, cupping and herb, and nutrition guidance to trigger your natural healing process.

Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is mainly used to relieve symptoms and discomfort for a range of diseases and  conditions, such as the following:

1.Adjunct Cancer Care Acupuncture

Acupuncture is not a cure for cancer, but it can be used to treat symptoms and conditions associated with the debilitating disease. It is the main reason renowned hospitals such as the Dana-Farber  Cancer Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is adopting the practice in cancer care.  Acupuncture is also known to treat the side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy,  hormone therapy, and surgery. Some of the cancer symptoms the ancient Chinese healing practice  can deal with include:

• Hot flashes.

• Nausea and vomiting.      

• Xerostomia/ Dry Mouth.

• Joint pain.

• Fatigue.

• Low Blood Cell Counts.

2.Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders

Your digestive system is compromised if you are constantly bloated, constipated, nauseous or have diarrhea regularly in Oakland. The leading cause of most digestive issues is chronic stress, poor sleeping habits, inflammation, and undefined food sensitivities. along with other lifestyle choices.

Acupuncture is widely used to manage a range of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly its ability to reduce nausea, bloating, and constipation. The treatment helps by reducing stress which in turn improves digestive functions. The treatment can also reduce pain and inflammation that usually results from an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which can cause digestion issues.

Acupuncture can be used to treat symptoms of the following digestive disorders:

• Acid reflux.

• Crohn’s disease.                 

• IBS           

• Abdominal pain.

• Bloating.

• Constipation.

• Diarrhea.

• Ulcerative colitis.

3.Acupuncture for Women’s Health

Today's woman has to wear several hats. She has to juggle a career, children, family and other responsibilities at the cost of her health. The stress and emotional challenges accompanying this juggling act can be easier to manage with acupuncture. When stress levels reach unprecedented levels, our body constantly remains in fight or flight mode and rarely goes into the parasympathetic mode in which it rests and digests. This means the body becomes less efficient at recovering and healing. In women, this can lead to reproductive and other health issues that are manageable with  acupuncture, such as:

• Fertility issues.

• Postpartum depression.

• Irregular cycles.

• Endometriosis.

• Mood swings.

• Weight loss.

• Morning sickness.

• Menopause.

And other health concerns.

4.Acupuncture Specifically  for Menopause

Menopause doesn’t have to take over your life when you can treat its debilitating symptoms with acupuncture. According to a  2019 study, the treatment reduces hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and sleep disruptions in women dealing with menopause issues. Researchers also concluded that the treatment was a safe and cost-efficient way to treat said symptoms with little to no side effects in Oakland.

5.Acupuncture for Chronic Pain

Acupuncture has long been recognized as an efficient treatment for chronic pain, which affects millions of people across the nation. The treatment triggers the release of endorphins, our natural pain-killing chemicals, and affects the part of the brain that governs the use of serotonin, a hormone that regulates our mood. It also reduces inflammatory pain by increasing blood circulation to joints and muscles. Both work to reduce the effects of chronic pain.  Overall it helps manage pain and may initially require a series of treatments followed by monthly treatments for sustainable relief.

6.Acupuncture for Acute or Chronic  Sports Injury

Acupuncture can relieve short-term pain and help athletes recover from rigorous training. It is often  used as a non-invasive treatment for managing sports injuries such as:

• Tendinitis.            

• Joint dysfunction.              

• Neuralgia.

• Frozen shoulder.

• Bursitis.

• Plantar fasciitis.

• Strains and sprains.

• Neck pain.

• Swollen muscles.  

• Shin splints.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

7.Acupuncture for Help with  Mood Disorders

If you are tired of pharmaceuticals being the only way to manage mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, you can possibly replace them with acupuncture treatments. It is an excellent or adjunct treatment to alternative medications and has little to no side effects. The treatment treats mood disorders by triggering the release of endorphins which can alleviate mood swings.

8.Acupuncture for Anxiety

Anxiety can make your life seem harder than it is. While you can take medication to treat it, the side effects can lead to other health concerns. Acupuncture is a healthier and safer alternative as it stimulates feel-good hormones and reduces the body's stress hormone levels at the same time. It also has fewer side effects compared to anxiety medication.

9.Acupuncture for Depression

The main aim of acupuncture is to restore balance to the body by increasing the flow of qi or life energy. It is the main reason why it is preferred by people who suffer from depression and do not want to go through the side effects that antidepressants are notorious for. People who suffer from this mood disorder report fatigue and lack of energy, two symptoms that acupuncture can alleviate.

10.Acupuncture for Stress

Stress and anxiety go hand in hand, but if not treated and managed, they can compromise your quality of life and relationships. As per Traditional Chinese Medicine, we get stressed when our qi or life energy gets stuck or is scattered. Acupuncture treats stress by promoting the movement of qi, i.e. by ensuring it flows smoothly. Some of the stress responses it can be used to treat include:

• Restlessness.

• Headaches.  

• Irritability.

• Loss of focus.

• Muscle tension.

• Fatigue.

Book An Appointment With Jenny Crissman Today!

Jenny Crissman has a M.S.. in Acupuncture and Herbs Licensed in California with over 18 years of experience providing acupuncture clinical treatments.  She also has a BS in Nutrition and DIetetics. Combined that is three decades of experience instructing and advising clients on their relationship with their health and food. She understands that true wellness results from a healing relationship and uses multiple modalities in her practice and treatments.  Book an appointment today!