What is Acupuncture and How does it help?

What is acupuncture and how does it help? This was a question I found myself asking not too long ago until I came across Sundara Wellness Center and wow. After just one visit, I totally understand why so many tout the benefits of acupuncture and I am here to share my experience with you!

What is Acupuncture?

My Sundara Wellness Center acupuncturist, Alison, helped me to understand all about Acupuncture. A broad definition of acupuncture would be, a method that stimulates acupoints via the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. By stimulating the specific acupoint sites, this helps improves the body’s functions and promotes self-healing by stimulating the specific acupoint sites.

At Sundara Wellness Center, an acupuncture session can include several different treatments. We begin each of my sessions with cupping in the beginning.

What is Cupping?

Cupping uses fire to remove the the oxygen in glass globes which creates a suction effect on the skin. This suction and negative pressure can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system. Cupping is also used to relieve back and neck pains, anxiety, stiff muscles, migraines, fatigue, rheumatism, and cellulite.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which is linked to the belief that disease is caused by disruptions to the flow of bodily energy. One major hypothesis is that acupuncture works through the body’s neurohormonal pathways. The needle is placed in the body at specific points to stimulate the nerves, muscles and connective tissue, which encourages the release of endorphins and other natural painkillers. These hormones work together to promote homeostasis in the body, as well as a feeling of well-being.

Here you can see the acupuncture needles in my legs.

What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?

Allergies / Asthma
Anxiety / Depression
Arthritis / Joint Pain
Autoimmune Disorders
Musculoskeletal Pain / Back Pain / Neck Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Colds / Flu
Cough / Bronchitis
Chronic Pain Disorders
Endocrinology / Diabetes
Fatigue / Immune Deficiency
Fertility
Digestive Issues / IBS / Gastritis
Headache / Migraine
Insomnia
PMS / Gynecological Problems
Sciatica
Shoulder Pain / Knee Pain
Skin Problems
Smoking Cessation
Stress / Tension
Tendonitis
Plus much more…

I am hoping that acupuncture will help with my allergies, skin conditions, and joint pain. After my first treatment at Sundara Wellness Center, I was amazed at the amount of relief I received. That evening I slept like a baby, felt lighter and had some major wrist joint relief. I am hoping with time, my knee pain, allergies and skin conditions will correct as I did see minor improvement after my first session. The acupoints in my face, jaw and ears really helped to relieve my allergy issues within 24 hours.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Alison told me that acupuncture should never be painful. She asked me to let her know if I felt any pain while she was inserting the needles. I must say, to my surprise, acupuncture was completely painless. That is a lot coming from me since I am terrified of needles. In most cases I didn’t even feel the needles. During my treatment session, I found myself so relaxed that I began to fall asleep.

Best Place for Acupuncture in Memphis

The diverse and very experienced team of health experts at Sundara represent some of the best in the Midsouth. With years of education and experience treating the body as a whole, Sundara’s practitioners work together to provide you with the best care possible. I am in the middle of my acupuncture treatment package with Sundara Wellness Center and I am completely satisfied with their staff, level of profession, and cleanliness of their facilities. I love that they support other small makers in their gift shop with jewelry, candles, and other gift items made by locals businesses.

Sundara Wellness Center owner, Candace, is a Memphis native who returned home in 2013 to begin her acupuncture and holistic medical practice after graduating with high honors from a four year classical Chinese medicine program in Portland, Oregon, at the National College of Natural Medicine. There Candace obtained a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. She is currently nationally board certified in acupuncture and licensed by the state of Tennessee. Candace is trained to treat a wide variety of conditions, but she specializes in women’s health, fertility, prenatal and postpartum care, digestive and endocrine disorders, fatigue, and emotional health.

My Acupuncturist, Alison Unterreiner, is a born healer with a passion for Eastern Medicine. Alison feels that when you use an integrative approach and allow Eastern and Western medicine to work together, anything is possible. Her clinical experience ranges from assisting women through childbirth in the labor and delivery ward at Lutheran Medical Center/NYU Langone in Brooklyn, New York, to working with veterans in order to provide pain relief and pain management at the VA Hospital in Manhattan. Alison is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in New York and Tennessee and has board certifications through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Alison specializes in treating a wide variety of health conditions, but her primary focus is disease prevention and supporting the health and wellness of her patients.

Another acupuncturist and dear friend of mine also works at Sundara Wellness Center, Jessica Puckett. Jessica is a native Memphian, nationally board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), licensed by the State of Tennessee Medical Board in Acupuncture and specializes in the treatment of pain, orthopedic injury, sports performance and cosmetic acupuncture. She has over 12 years of clinical experience and takes a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pain. I love when my friends are rock stars!