Acupuncture is one of the oldest Chinese treatment methods, proven effective by the WHO for treating conditions like: lower back pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, migraine, sciatica, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, burn-out, sleep disorders, infertility support, eczema, acne.

How It Works

Western medicine views acupuncture as a form of neuromodulation—a therapy that uses fine needles to stimulate the nervous system, hormones, and physiological processes. Needle insertion at specific points triggers a cascade of bodily responses.

Acupuncture’s effectiveness is primarily explained through its influence on the body’s control systems:

• Pain Relief: Stimulating sensory nerves with needles signals the brain and spinal cord, effectively blocking pain signals (Gate Control Theory). This stimulation also causes the release of the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins and enkephalins, which reduce pain perception.
• Neurotransmitter & Hormone Regulation: Acupuncture influences levels of neurotransmitters (like serotonin and noradrenaline) and modulates the HPA axis (the stress response system). This action helps regulate stress hormones like cortisol, explaining benefits for mood, anxiety, and sleep.
• Tissue Healing & Anti-Inflammation: Needling increases local blood flow (vasodilation) and triggers the release of healing factors (like adenosine). It also helps suppress pro-inflammatory mediators, contributing to an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Autonomic Balancing: Acupuncture helps balance the Autonomic Nervous System, shifting the body from a high-stress “fight-or-flight” state (sympathetic) toward a relaxed “rest-and-digest” state (parasympathetic), promoting calm and inner balance.

 

What to Expect

• Needles: All needles are sterile and single-use.
• Sensations: You may feel normal sensations like soreness, swelling, or a mild electric shock, indicating the needles are working.
• Duration: A session typically takes about 30 minutes. Treatment is personalized based on your individual needs.
• Sessions Needed: The number of sessions varies from 3 up to 20, with intervals ranging from every few days to once every two weeks. Chronic issues usually require longer

 

 

Ear Acupuncture (Auriculotherapy)

Ear acupuncture is especially effective because the ear has a direct “wired” connection to the brain through the vagus nerve. It is widely used alongside full-body treatment for conditions like weight loss, PTSD, menstrual pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and stress.

How it works

A tiny press needle is placed on a specific point in the ear. The ear is the only place on the body where this special nerve reaches the surface. That nerve picks up the signal from the needle and sends it straight to the brainstem — the control center of the nervous system.

From there, the brain activates three important systems:

• Focus and mood center – The brain releases a natural chemical that sharpens focus and lifts mood.
• Rest and relax center – The body switches into “rest and digest” mode. Heart rate slows down, stress melts away, and digestion improves.
• Natural pain relief – The brain releases endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers.

What this means for you

When the press needle stimulates a point in the ear, it is not just treating one small area. It is sending a signal along a direct nerve highway to the brain. The brain responds by releasing its own natural feel-good and pain-relieving chemicals.

The ear contains a microsystem of points that reflect the health of the whole body. We often combine ear acupuncture with body acupuncture or Tuina massage. The press needles stay in the ear for 3 days, and clients massage them several times daily to continue the therapeutic benefits between sessions.