Don’t let the needles keep you away! This service can help with a wide variety of conditions and is generally pain-free.
If you’ve never tried acupuncture before, it’s common to have some questions about it. To help you feel more comfortable considering acupuncture services at the George Wellbeing Center in the Dayton at Gaviidae YMCA, Ray Himmelman, a Licensed Acupuncturist breaks down the basics.
Acupuncture is one of the branches of Chinese medicine
It uses needles in pressure points to move energy through your body. A treatment plan at the George Wellbeing Center focuses on holistic healing—meaning your whole body is considered.
In addition to acupuncture, a treatment plan might include other elements from Chinese medicine, including herbal formulas or qi gong (system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation). A treatment plan might also include stretches or dietary recommendations.
Needles!?!
Acupuncture is generally a pain-free experience. You might feel sensations like tingling during acupuncture.
The needles are thin, flexible, gentle, made of surgical steel, sterile and are only ever used once. You can expect your acupuncturist at the George Wellbeing Center to open the needles and dispose of them in front of you, during your session.
Needles used during an acupuncture session might be placed on various parts of your body—not just the area where you have an issue or concern.
Acupuncture can treat a wide variety of conditions
Holistic medicine treats you as a whole person—and acupuncture can help with almost anything. It can help increase overall wellbeing and treat symptoms of things like:
- Anxiety
- Chronic illness and/or pain
- Depression
- Inflammation
- Insomnia
- Muscle and/or joint issues
- Stress
Practitioners are highly educated and trained
All acupuncturists at the George Wellbeing Center are licensed by the State of Minnesota, certified nationally, and have either a master’s or doctorate degree.
Getting started
Learn more about what to expect with acupuncture services. Even if you don’t have a specific issue in mind, you can benefit from acupuncture as preventative care.
Community acupuncture services can be an economical way to give acupuncture a try if you are interested. Community acupuncture at the YMCA includes members of a group arriving at staggered times, talking individually with a practitioner about wellness goals, receiving needles, and then resting with the needles in a group setting.
Visit the George Wellbeing Center for more information or join us for a free community acupuncture session at one of our YMCAs throughout the metro.