Hello, my name is Anne Williams, and I have been a licensed acupuncturist for 27 years.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works through the nervous system, which forms a subtle energy field around and throughout your body.  The needles work like antennae to direct and balance this energy through 12 main channels.  This strengthens and helps the body heal itself.  Only sterile disposable needles are used and safely discarded after each treatment.   There are many ways to perform acupuncture, but I generally use points distal to an area of injury or illness, and balance yin and yang channels to get the best result.  I like to use muscle testing (Applied Kinesiology) not only to locate the points precisely, but also to help me decide which points the body wants to use.  I then check the pulse to see how the body is responding to the points I have chosen.

For those who are uncomfortable about needles, non-insertion techniques are available and can have a powerful effect.  Likewise, red (warming, energizing), blue (cooling, calming) and green (for use on specific points) lasers can also be used instead of needles.  I can also use moxa (Mugwort or Artemisia) for people whose constitution is weaker and cannot tolerate needles.  Cupping is another non-insertion technique that can be used.  Acupuncture and massage are very compatible, as acupuncture can facilitate a person’s ability to receive a deeper, more  releasing massage.  I can also order prepared Chinese herbs or tinctures for  those with more chronic conditions.

What Conditions Are Good To Treat With Acupuncture?

Acupuncture doesn’t just relieve any kind of pain, musculoskeletal or neurological, but it also helps speed up healing.  Some examples include:

1. Sprains, strains, tendinitis, arthritis, Fibromyalgia
2. Ankle sprains, wrist sprains, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
3. Back sprains, Sciatica, Sacroileitis
4. Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow
5. Rotator Cuff Strain, Frozen Shoulder
6. Knee pain from strains or arthritis
7. Spasms in specific muscle areas of injury or overuse
8. Tight muscles, such as Tensor Fascia Lata, causing tightness in the hip joints
9. Headaches—migraine, tension or sinus
10. Menstrual cramps/Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis pain
11. Abdominal pain, digestive disorders, chronic diarrhea or constipation
12. Intractable hiccups
13. Peripheral Neuropathy
14. Allergies, Asthma, Chronic cough
15. Hypertension
16. Blood sugar out of balance—too high or too low, Prediabetes, Reactive Hypoglycemia
17. Insomnia, Depression or Anxiety
18. Opioid withdrawal symptoms, cravings (ear acupuncture only)
19. Smoking cessation (same as above)
20. I am happy to review and research other conditions not listed here

Treatments last 20-45 minutes after needles are in place, while the patient relaxes comfortably to music or silence.  The treatment is complete when the patient notices a surge of energy and feels ready to get up, perhaps even a bit antsy or restless.

The effects of each treatment last approximately 48 hours, and longer with each successive treatment, so a treatment may need to be repeated several times to have a lasting long-term effect, depending on how long the condition has been ongoing.  Sometimes the body is able to take over the healing process after only one or two treatments, but the treatment should be repeated when the results begin to fade, on average about 6 treatments may be necessary.

If you are interested in an acupuncture treatment, please call or text me at 510-301-0921.  My rate is $60 per treatment.  Thank you.