What is Acupuncture?

At Valenti Acupuncture, we see the body as an interconnected system of vessels and meridians, designed to function seamlessly, like an interconnected ecosystem. Thanks to the autonomic nervous system, our bodies regulate countless processes without us even thinking about them. However, life’s challenges, whether environmental stressors, illness, trauma, injury, or diet can disrupt this balance, leading to stagnation, discomfort, or dysfunction.

Acupuncture works to restore harmony by clearing these disruptions and allowing the body to function optimally.

A Time-Honored Tradition

Acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,500 years, originating in ancient China as a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Rooted in the concept of qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, acupuncture is based on the idea that health depends on the smooth flow of qi through the body's meridians. Early practitioners developed intricate maps of these meridians and discovered that stimulating specific points with fine needles could relieve pain, restore function, and promote healing.

Over time, acupuncture has evolved and integrated with modern scientific understanding, making it a widely recognized and evidence-supported therapy for a range of conditions, from chronic pain to stress management and digestive health.

A Simple Analogy:

Imagine driving on a freeway, needing to merge onto another route, but an accident near the onramp creates a bottleneck. Traffic begins to back up, not just on the onramp but also on the freeway you started on. When emergency services arrive and clear the accident, traffic moves smoothly again.

Acupuncture is like that emergency service for your body. By stimulating specific points along your meridians, it helps remove blockages, restore proper circulation, and encourage the free flow of qi throughout the body. This process supports your body’s natural ability to heal, reducing pain, improving function, and promoting overall well-being.

Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, stress, digestive concerns, or other health challenges, acupuncture offers a natural, time-tested approach to restoring balance and vitality.How does acupuncture work?

Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life. Oriental medical theory explains these disharmonies as an imbalance of opposing forces called yin and yang. This imbalance disrupts the movement of the body's vital energy—called qi—along the meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture restores the smooth flow of qi by inserting and manipulating hair-thin needles at specific points. This allows the body to restore its natural balance and promote the body's ability to heal itself.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Although it sounds unsettling to lie down and have needles placed in your body, getting acupuncture is very relaxing. The needles are hair thin and very flexible, so they are nothing like the hypodermic needles used in western medical settings. Most of the time patients don't even feel them being inserted. When the needles are gently stimulated they may produce a unique sensation known as de qi, which can feel like a dull ache or sometimes called “needle grasp”. It usually only lasts for a moment. Instead of feeling pain or discomfort, most patients fall into deep relaxation and even end up falling asleep.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. Acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique. Aside from a four year Masters degree, students must pass comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). We are also licensed by the state we practice in, and as required by law, we use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.

How many treatments
will I need?

Each individual has a different diagnosis, and treatment plans will be determined based on your condition. Typically, for acute conditions it is recommended to be treated once a week for 6-10 weeks. Some patients choose to come in every 2-4 weeks. Although chronic conditions may take longer to resolve depending on the severity of the condition, you should begin to feel relief within the first few treatments. 

Acupuncture vs Dry Needling?

While acupuncture and dry needling may use similar techniques, the education, training, and clinical frameworks behind them are different.

Licensed acupuncturists complete extensive graduate-level education, including years of supervised clinical training and hands-on needling practice before graduation. At Valenti Acupuncture, our practitioners draw from a range of approaches, including orthopedic acupuncture, which uses targeted needling techniques to address musculoskeletal pain, tension, and movement-related concerns.

Dry needling is a technique commonly incorporated into physical therapy and other healthcare practices, typically following shorter, specialized training courses. Although it may share techniques with orthopedic acupuncture, its scope and educational foundation differ from those of a licensed acupuncturist.

The difference is in the depth of training and the breadth of practice. Our acupuncturists bring years of dedicated study and clinical needling experience to each treatment, allowing us to approach your needs through a comprehensive understanding of needling techniques, anatomy, and the body as a whole.

Have more questions?

Contact us.