Community Acupuncture
More Information about COmmunity Acupuncture Below!
Community Acupuncture is on hold for now, but you can schedule for one-on-one Acupuncture!
There are currently no appointments available for our group Acupuncture sessions, however our licensed Acupuncturist, Kevin A. Caputo, LAc is accepting new patients for Individual Acupuncture! He’s trained to address a variety of concerns but the most common issues he treats (with great effectiveness) are pain, digestive issues, sleeping issues, dizziness, and some psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
How Does Community Acupuncture Work?
To understand Acupuncture, we need to discuss two main systems in our brain and how they function; the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). These two systems together make up the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which regulates all kinds of unconscious body functions, like breathing, heartbeat, bloodflow and digestion. The ANS operates by receiving information from the environment and from other parts of the body. The SNS and PNS have opposing reactions to this information. The SNS “excites” the body, or engages the “Fight-or-Flight” response. The PNS does the opposite; it calms the body and reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
Community Acupuncture at Vivify is quick, clothed and affordable. This is a great option if you are new to acupuncture and want to try it.
Community Acupuncture can help with stress and anxiety by pulling the individual out of the fight-or-flight response and engaging the PNS. Research has shown that Acupuncture can calm the hypothalamus (part of the brain that ‘sends the distress signal’ to activate the SNS) and can encourage the body to release endorphins, otherwise known as the body’s own ‘feel-good’ chemicals. These play an important role in physical and emotional stress responses such as pain, heart rate, blood pressure and digestive function.
What Technique is Used in Community Acupuncture?
Our Acupuncture specialist uses the NADA technique, which involves stimulating 5 specific points on each ear by inserting thin metal needles. The Sympathetic Autonomic Point and Shen Men are included for their calming effect, the three other points because they represent the body's principal cleansing organs. This technique has been used for many years to reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep, provide relief from frustration, anger, fear, and grief, as well as reduce food and substance cravings.
What Can I Expect in a Community Acupuncture Class?
Community Acupuncture is held in our Himalayan Salt Room. You may be in the session with other people but you are separated by partitions, so it is still semi-private. You remain fully clothed and comfortably dressed.
You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted. You may feel other sensations such as tingling, heaviness or numbness after the needles have been inserted.
The needles remain in your ears for a approximately 30-40 minutes, while you wait you will listen to a relaxing body scan and experience an add-on Himalayan salt session.
After the allotted time, your practitioner will come and remove the needles one by one, and prepare them for disposal.
The effects of Acupuncture tend to be cumulative (results are longer-lasting after frequent treatments). At Vivify we recommend you commit to 6 weekly sessions of community acupuncture to get the greatest benefit.
When To Be Cautious with Acupuncture
If you have a bleeding disorder: Your chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles is increased if you have a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) or take blood-thinning medication.
When performed correctly, Acupuncture is safe, it has very few side effects, and can be easily combined with other treatments.