InnerBridge Wellness Center
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of treatment that has evolved over more than 5000 years to the present day. Treatment involves placing very fine needles into specific points on the body, which access the body's life force or 'Qi'
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for a wide range of conditions, from Migraine, back problems and other physical complaints to emotional problems such as PMT and depression. Acupuncture can also treat addictions, allergies and digestive problems such as IBS.
How Does it work?
The insertion of an acupuncture needle accesses and stimulates the nerves in muscles and skin to release the body's natural painkillers, endorphins and serotonin. The Eastern philosophy is that insertion of a needle promotes the smooth flow of Qi through the body which is necessary for the well being of body and mind.
Is it Safe?
This practitioner uses fresh needles for each treatment and there is therefore no risk of disease transmission. The treatment itself is considered to be very safe although as with all therapies certain contra-indications can exist. Therefore acupuncture may not be suitable for all patients, Elizabeth will, of course, advise you if this is the case and suggest other treatments.
How Do I Book a Treatment?
Bookings can be made by phone at 410-832-7676
Traditional Acupuncture:
Building Your Body’s Power to Heal
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that has been successfully
practiced in the Orient for at least 5,000 years. While Western
medicine is only beginning to recognize its effectiveness, recipients
speak enthusiastically of its value as a safe, natural method
of controlling pain and a wide range of problems.
Acupuncture benefits everyone. People from all walks of life
seek acupuncture for pain and illness, others for stress or
emotional pain, and others to improve their immune system.
The aim of acupuncture is to build the body’s own inherent powers
of self healing, gently seeking to balance the Qi or energy
system that becomes blocked, stagnant or weak causing disharmony
in the body.
Please click the questions below for information about Elizabeth Kramer’s Traditional Acupuncture practice.
* How Does Acupuncture Work?
*
How is Acupuncture Different from Mainstream Medicine?
* What Can
I Expect in My First Session?
* How Long Do Treatments
Take?
* What Conditions
Can Acupuncture Help?
* Does My Insurance
Cover Acupuncture?
* What if
I Have to Cancel an Appointment?
Chinese medicine recognizes a subtle energy system by which Qi circulates throughout the body in a network of channels called meridians. Along these meridians lie the acupuncture points where very thin needles are inserted on order to move the Qi to re-establish balance to the body. When the flow of Qi is interrupted by depletion or stagnation, due to poor habits, stress or trauma, it leads to disease.
How is Acupuncture Different from Mainstream Medicine?
Tradition acupuncturists take a holistic
approach and aim to restore a person’s health and bring balance
and harmony on all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual.
Seeing you as a whole rather than as a machine afflicted by
symptoms, we look for the root of the problem that is causing
the symptom. Then we look for other imbalances in the body such
as insomnia, headaches, or constipation, foe example that might
be connected to the presenting symptom.
For example, Chinese Medicine teaches that the function of the
spleen is to transform and transport nutrients to the different
organs of the body for the production of blood and Qi. This
transforming power of the spleen also controls how well we can
transform our thinking into action. If the spleen becomes weak
or sluggish, concentration and memory can also be affected by
obsessive thoughts or worries.
The spleen also holds the organs in their correct position and
a weak spleen can cause the bladder to prolapse. In this case,
treating the bladder with medications alone will not solve the
problem because the weakness of the spleen must be addressed.
This is just one example of how acupuncture treats each part
of the body as interconnected on many levels. Attention must
be paid to the workings and relationships between organs to
correct a malfunction.
What Can I Expect in My First Session?
Acupuncturists use a multi-level approach
to diagnose. The initial consult takes about 2 to 2 ½ hours.
During this session we assess your condition by:
* Asking the background of your symptoms, emotional state, sleeping
patterns, stress levels, and health history.
* Listening to the sound of your voice and to what you are saying.
* Observing the imbalances in your body, facial color, posture,
and so on.
* Feeling your pulses to find the levels and flow of vital energy
(Qi), temperature, tender areas and so forth.
We also ask other questions: for example, how your energy and
symptoms ebb and flow with the seasons or time of day.
After the initial diagnostic session, follow up treatments last about one hour. Several treatments are recommended before we can see whether health is being restored. These treatments are usually once a week, unless the symptoms are severe, in which case it might be necessary to increase the frequency. We might recommend making certain changes in patterns of life that are bringing imbalances to the body. These patterns can include mental and emotional states as well as physical symptoms. In cases where the symptoms have become chronic, treatments might take several months.
(Back)What Conditions Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture has been proven effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
* Arthritis
* Insomnia
* Auto-Immune Diseases
* Menstrual Problems
* Gastric Disorders
* Migraine
* Infertility
* Vertigo
* Undiagnosed Symptoms
* Recovery after Surgery
Does My Insurance Cover Acupuncture?
We take BCBS of Maryland, but each form
of coverage is different. Please call your insurance provider
to find out if they cover acupuncture, what your yearly deductable
is and what the co-pay is. Blue Choice for Federal Employees
is not covered.
For other carriers, we will provide a statement with all the
information your carrier might need. Payments are made on the
day of the visit.
What if I Have to Cancel an Appointment?
We will be happy to re-schedule if you notify us 24 hours in advance. Without this notice, you will be charged the usual fee for your appointment, except in cases of emergency. In severe weather please call the office for information about closings.
(Back)Questions About This Web Site?
email Webmaster
2009 InnerBridge Wellness Center All rights reserved.
2007 Template Gordon Mackay. All rights reserved.
Elizabeth Kramer, M.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist
Spiritual Journeys Coordinator
InnerBridge Wellness Center
2324 W. Joppa Rd., Suite 100
Baltimore, MD 21093
410-832-7676
email Elizabeth
