Dr. Ping Gu, O.M.D., PhD., L.Ac .
We believe integrating Western and Eastern medicine is a balanced and revolutionary approach to medicine. Gathering the knowledge from both practices allows us to treat your health and wellness in a unique and effective way.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has its origin in ancient Taoist philosophy which views a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. Unlike allopathic medicine which attempts to isolate and separate a disease from a person, Chinese medicine emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the whole body. We believe that acupuncture, along with herbal therapy, tuina massage and nutrition are the key tools to wellness.
We are confident that you will find Traditional Chinese methods of healing to be excellent tools for maintaining Optimum health and preventing illness. Traditional Chinese Medicine is effective for physical, psychological and emotional conditions.
Although we do offer same-day appointments when available, we encourage making appointments as far in advance as possible. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding scheduling and payment arrangements.
How does it work?
The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Chi or Qi present in every living creature. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness occur. Imagine rivers that flood and cause disasters or an electrical grid short-circuiting that causes blackouts. Acupuncture works to “re-program” and restore normal functions by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to free up the Chi energy.
How big are the needles and how deep are they inserted?
The stainless steel needles, normally about as thin as a human hair, are presterilized and disposable. Unlike the hollow needles used for giving injections, acupuncture needles are solid. The acupuncturist will insert them to a depth of anywhere from a quarter of an inch to 3 inches, depending on the amount of subcutaneous fat that the needles need to penetrate.
Will it hurt me?
Acupuncture should be painless, although some people experience a slight sharp sensation depending on how sensitive they are and where the needles are inserted. Once the needle is in place, it’s normal to initially feel a tingling sensation, numbness, mild pressure or warmth. If these sensations became too strong or are uncomfortable, alert your acupuncturist and she will adjust the needles. '
What exactly should I expect to happen during an acupuncture session?
The first treatment starts with a thorough medical history followed by a physical exam. These observations provide an indication of what’s going on in your body. After making a diagnosis, the practitioner will ask you to lie down and insert needles into key points. You’ll be allowed to rest with the needles in place, typically for up to 40 minutes.
How can it help me?
Acupuncture is mostly known in the West as a pain relief technique, but is also proven to be useful in numerous other indications. In 1979, the World Health Organization cited 104 conditions that acupuncture can treat — either alone or in conjunction with contemporary conventional medicine. In 1998 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Consensus Statement on Acupuncture and cited conditions that acupuncture is effective for. Acupuncture also plays a huge role in preventive care, particularly as a form of stress management. “The underlying cause of most of the conditions treated is chronic stress, which affects multiple systems in the body, including the immune and endocrine systems,” says Mary Saunders, a Boulder, Colo.-based licensed acupuncturist.
How many sessions do I need in order to start feeling the benefits?
That depends on the severity of the condition. For some people, the effect of acupuncture can be quite dramatic — they may feel the benefits after one session. For others, the response may be more gradu al. In general, you should notice at least small changes in your condition within four to six treatments.