Shingles can leave more than a painful rash. For some people, burning, stabbing, or aching pain continues long after the skin has healed. For people suffering from this persistent nerve pain, called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), research and clinical experience shows that acupuncture can offer significant relief.

In East Asian Medicine, we often speak about “treating the root through the branch.” The branch is the symptom. The root is the deeper source, causing the symptom. In acute conditions like a cold, flu, or an ankle sprain, the root is usually clear. But in chronic illness, patterns become layered and the root is more complex.

If you are considering acupuncture for the first time, it is reasonable to have questions: Does it hurt? Are the needles sterile? What are the risks? Does acupuncture interact with medication? 

These are good questions—and ones you should feel comfortable asking. Acupuncture, when provided by a trained, licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, is generally considered a low-risk procedure.

Electro-acupuncture is a modern form of acupuncture that combines traditional needle placement with gentle, controlled electrical stimulation. After very thin, sterile needles are inserted at selected acupuncture points, small clips connect some needles to a device that delivers a mild pulsing current.

When wildfire smoke rolls in, the most effective protection is still the simplest: reduce exposure. Stay indoors when air quality is poor, and wear a well-fitted mask that can filter particulates (like an N95) if you need to be outside. Once the basics are in place, certain nutrients and botanicals can help support your body’s response to smoke-related stress.

If you’ve been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, you know how disruptive and painful this condition can be. Many patients are prescribed carbamazepine, a medication commonly used as a first-line treatment. While it can be effective, many patients look for complementary or alternative treatment options that may help manage their symptoms without side effects. Arguably, acupuncture should be high on the list of those options.

Acupuncture and moxibustion can be powerful allies for immune support during cancer treatment when used alongside standard oncology care, helping patients stay stronger, tolerate treatment better, and recover more smoothly. These therapies also greatly help in managing stress, pain, nausea and other symptoms that can accompany cancer treatment.

Many patients are referred to us directly by their oncology team. In these cases, our role is clear: to support the patient through the side effects of cancer treatment, while strengthening the body overall. In Chinese medicine, we do not treat a diagnosis in isolation; we identify and treat patterns within the body. Once a pattern is understood, we apply targeted therapies. Nutrition plays a central role in this process.

Black sesame is one of the many foods that nourish the Kidneys, which are associated with the Water element and have energy that peaks during the winter season. In Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys store vital essence, or jing- one of the five fundamental substances and the source of living organisms. Healthy jing means great energy levels, healthy bones and teeth, and dark, thick hair!  

Acupuncture offers a research-backed, non-drug option that may help many people with the frustrating diagnosis of fibromyalgia feel and function better. Research suggests it can do so by influencing the body’s own pain‑modulating chemicals, including a messenger called neuropeptide Y.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is surprisingly common in pregnancy and can make everyday tasks—like holding a phone, typing, or even sleeping—much more uncomfortable. During this important time, many women prefer to limit medications, which is one reason acupuncture can be a great fit during pregnancy as a gentle, non-drug option for relief.

Two separate systematic reviews by Cochrane Researchers show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for prevention of headaches and migraines. One study focused on mild to moderate but frequent "tension-type" headaches, while the other focused on more severe but less frequent headaches usually termed migraines. Together the two studies included 33 trials, involving a total of 6,736 patients.

If you’ve ever had jaw pain that makes it hard to chew, talk, or even relax, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with TMJ syndrome (short for temporomandibular joint syndrome). The TMJ is the small but mighty hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. When it’s irritated or out of balance, it can lead to pain, stiffness, clicking, headaches, or even ear discomfort.

For our patients who get confused about this term I can’t blame you. “Dry needling" refers to a Western style of needling that emerged more or less independently of East Asian acupuncture techniques over the past century. It’s called “dry” because non-acupuncturist clinicians used to think they needed to inject substances into trigger points to get the clinical results they later found they could achieve with a solid needle.